Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Ever since Tennessee Williams' "The Night of the Iguana" opened in New York on Dec. 28, 1961, audiences have debated the significance of the iguana within the play. Now East Texas audiences can join the conversation as they attend Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre's production of the award-winning drama Tuesday, Feb. 21, through Saturday, Feb. 25. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

The play's actual plot revolves around Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon, a defrocked Episcopalian priest who now works as a tour guide in Mexico, and three women he encounters along his travels.

Maxine Faulk is the recently widowed, lusty hotel owner, and Charlotte Goodall, 16, is the sexually-charged youngest member of the group Shannon is guiding. Hannah Jelkes, a 40-year-old spinster and artist, is a guest at Faulk's hotel who travels with her 97-year-old grandfather/poet, Nonno.

These principal characters are played by SFA theatre majors. Chris Howell, Nacogdoches sophomore, portrays Shannon; Sugar Land junior Caitlin Stephenson plays Maxine; and Pasadena senior Victoria Thompson is cast as Charlotte.

Savannah Seilheimer, Garland junior, portrays Hannah, and San Antonio junior Sean McDaniel plays Nonno.

According to Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and director of the play, "The Night of the Iguana" is a moving drama about the tormented heart of the human condition. As with many of Williams' other plays, such as "Glass Menagerie" and "Streetcar Named Desire," it focuses on sexual relationships and eccentric characters.

Williams won his fourth New York Critics Award for the play, and in 1962, Margaret Leighton, who played Hannah in the original production, received a Tony Award for Best Actress.

"Some of the best writing in American theatre can be found in this play," Oster said. "In particular, the scene from the second act involving Shannon and Hannah is profound."

The drama was immortalized in John Huston's 1964 film version starring Richard Burton as Shannon, Ava Gardner as Maxine and Deborah Kerr as Hannah.

The production is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts, School of Theatre and University Series.

Prior to the opening night performance, the College of Fine Arts will host a 6:45 p.m. reception in Griffith Gallery to honor the event's corporate sponsor, Tipton Ford-Lincoln-Mercury. At 7 p.m., Oster will give a brief talk on the production.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5 for students. The play is recommended for mature audiences. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.