emilynevesreads 's review for:

The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams

4.0

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

While not his strongest work, I found this play compelling, stewing with intensity, and, like many of his plays, a simmering foreboding underneath. I was surprised, though, to find it ended happily, if somewhat abruptly. I wanted more Alvaro and Serafina, more of Rosa and Serafina and less of the other Italian women and the priest. They seemed peripheral, and I felt the okay didn’t really begin until Alvaro showed up. It is a strange play, which is a positive in my book, full of superstitions and dreams and symbols. I loved the Italian language and the gulf-coast imagery. Could have done without the description of “shrieks of Negro laughter” as a “sinister sound,” but it was a different time, I suppose. The humor in the piece sparkled, and the wristwatch never being given broke my heart. I felt for Serafina and Rosa, and identified with both for different reasons and with different parts of myself. Beautiful piece. Would love to see it simmer onstage.