‘Summer and Smoke’ (1947)

Abstract

Both Summer and Smoke and A Streetcar Named Desire were begun in 1945 and both were first performed in 1947. However, the former received its world premiere in Dallas and did not open in New York until the following year. The Dallas production was directed by Margo Jones on the arena stage of the Gulf Oil Playhouse with Tod Andrews as John and Katherine Balfour as Alma. The 1948 New York production was redirected by Margo Jones on the proscenium stage of the Music Box Theatre with Tod Andrews as John and Margaret Phillips as Alma. The music was by Paul Bowles and the set and lighting by Jo Mielziner. The 1951 London production was directed by Peter Glenville with William Sylvester and Margaret Johnston. The 1952 off-Broadway revival was directed by José Quintero with Lee Richardson and Geraldine Page. The 1961 screen version was written by James Poe and Meade Roberts, and directed by Peter Glenville with Laurence Harvey and Geraldine Page. An opera based on the play with music by Lee Hoiby and libretto by Lanford Wilson was produced in 1971.

john. What is eternity?

alma [in a hushed wondering voice]. It’s something that goes on and on when life and death and time and everything else is all through with.

john. There’s no such thing.

alma. There is. It’s what people’s souls live in when they have left their bodies. My name is Alma and Alma is Spanish for soul. (Prologue)