“Suddenly, Last Summer” Conceals Cruelty in Velvet Fist—at Altarena
Billie J. Simmons & Thomas Hutchinson. Photo by Grizzly DeHaro
Tennessee Williams’ Haunting Power Trip Fits Our Politics
by Isa S. Chu
In Tennessee Williams’ “Suddenly, Last Summer,” we step into an elegant sitting room, refined and immaculate. Just beyond, a lush jungle garden presses against tall windows. Elite power and rampant nature do battle in the play: the refined vs. the primeval, Manners vs. Nature.
The visual contrast sets the stage for a story about truth clawing its way out from behind a curated guise: elites shaping narratives, the vulnerable silenced, facts buried beneath privilege.
Set in 1930s New Orleans, “Suddenly, Last Summer” revolves around the wealthy and formidable Violet Venable (Billie J. Simmons), desperate to suppress the truth about her late son Sebastian. She invites Dr. Cukrowicz (Thomas Hutchinson) to assess her niece, Catherine Holly (Sarah Zehner)—now institutionalized after witnessing Sebastian’s shocking death during a European summer trip.
In exchange for funding Dr. Cukrowicz’s hospital, Violet pressures him to perform a lobotomy on Catherine to keep her from telling the horrible truth. Violet wants to hide the gay suspicions behind Sebastian’s murder.
Caught in the middle are Catherine’s self-serving mother, Mrs. Holly (Lori Mrochinski), and her opportunistic brother, George (Danail Georgiev). They are both eager to cultivate powerful Violet’s good graces—and her money. Could be the current extortion racket in D.C.!
As the delusional matriarch Violet, Simmons takes the lead with poise and a subtle Southern lilt, setting the tone for a world where her wealth cloaks complete control.
As Catherine, Zehner’s quiet determination sets the emotional center. Her trauma and her resilience ring true. Her slight Southern drawl matches Simmons’ tone, connecting the women across generations—as they share secrets.
Thomas Hutchinson’s gentle doctor provides a steady presence, though he is easily swayed by Violet’s money and status. His moral ambivalence could be explored more deeply. As Mrs. Holly, Lori Mrochinski offers layered, expressive storytelling—revealing inner conflicts even though her lines are few.
As George Holly, Danail Georgiev brings an unexpected but welcome touch of comic relief. His portrayal of the entitled cousin opens our eyes to the ways that passive complicity reinforces power.
Ava Byrd’s costumes subtly underline the character dynamics. Mrs. Venable in black and white evokes rigid control; Mrs. Holly’s soft beige speaks to her malleability. Dr. Cukrowicz’s dark suit grounds him in objectivity, while Catherine’s vibrant red dress suggests emotional intensity, with truth struggling to emerge.
Directed by Altarena’s Artistic Director Katina Psihos Letheule, who also designed the striking set, the production presents a strong visual world. Emotionally, the play still feels uneven, as we wait for the vital connections between intention and execution.
We wish the direction had offered clarity for Tennessee Williams’ poetic ambiguities about the characters’ choices and traumas. These questions float within the text, but the production never fully engages them, leaving thematic potential on the table.
See this play for the lush setting, the striking performances, and Tennessee Williams’ poetic flights of fancy.
“Suddenly, Last Summer” by Tennessee Williams, directed & designed by Katina Psihos Letheule, costumes by Ava Byrd, sound by Daniel “Techno” Debono, lighting by Danielle Ferguson, props by Vicki Kagawan, at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda, California.
Info: altarena.org – to June 29, 2025.
Cast: Danail Georgiev, Jeffrie Givens, Jasmine Guerrero, Thomas Hutchinson, Lori Mrochinski, Billie J. Simmons, and Sarah Zehner.
