‘Iguana’ takes over the night in Bangor PTC showing Tennessee Williams’ play

BANGOR – Penobscot Theatre proves to audiences that Tennessee Williams’ most underrated play will become their favorite as “The Night of the Iguana” takes over the historic Bangor Opera House through Sunday, May 18.

“Tennessee Williams is one of my favorite playwrights and ‘The Night of the Iguana’ is my most favorite of all of his works,” said Producing Artistic Director Scott R.C. Levy.

“Most of us know ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ and ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,’ but Williams’ lyrical poetry is at the top of its form in ‘Iguana.’ I’ve been waiting for years to work on this play, and I’m thrilled to finally get my hands on it,” said Levy, director of the production.

“The Night of the Iguana” is set in 1940s Mexico. The story centers on a former minister turned tour guide, the Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon. He leads his party to a cheap hotel run by Maxine Faulk, who has designs on him.

Among the guests at the hotel is the virginal spinster Hannah Jelkes with whom Shannon forms a deep bond.

Tennessee Williams won a New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for “The Night of the Iguana,” which many consider to be the American playwright’s last major play.

Returning to the Penobscot Theatre after performing in “Spinning into Butter” and “Tuesdays with Morrie” is Kent D. Burnham, who plays Shannon. Burnham has performed in theaters across the country, most recently in “Of Mice and Men” in Denver, and on television’s “As the World Turns,” “General Hospital,” “All My Children” and “Melrose Place.”

Portraying Hannah in “The Night of the Iguana” is Tracy Liz Miller, who was Sarah Daniels in PTC’s production of “Spinning into Butter.” Miller, a graduate of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, has worked extensively in New York City and has been seen on “As the World Turns.”

Returning to the Bangor Opera House stage for the second time this season, A.J. Mooney plays Maxine Faulk. Her turns at Penobscot Theatre include “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” “Falsettos,” “Communicating Doors,” “The Ruby Sunrise” and the title role in “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.”

Among PTC regulars in “The Night of the Iguana” are Allen Adams as Hank, Anthony Arnista as Pancho, Rebecca Bailey as Hilda, Bunny Barclay as Frau Fahrenkopf, Joye Cook-Levy as Miss Fellowes, Hans-Stefane Ducharme as Wolfgang, John Greenman as Nonno, Arthur Morison as Herr Fahrenkopf and James Pendergist as Latta.

Debuting with the Penobscot Theatre are University of Maine students Danielle Beaman as Charlotte and Erik Schnakenberg as Pedro.

Sponsors of “The Night of the Iguana” are TMATT Financial, Bangor Letter Shop, Northeast Cardiology Associates, Hampton Inn, WLBZ NewsCenter 2, the Maine Edge , Cumulus Radio and the Bangor Daily News.

“The Night of the Iguana” show times are 7 p.m. Thursdays, May 8 and 15; 8 p.m. Fridays, May 9 and 16; 8 p.m. Saturday, May 17; 2 p.m. Sundays, May 11 and 18; and 5 p.m. Saturday, May 10. For information, call 942-3333 or visit www.penobscottheatre.org.