Kind Stranger…
Adapted and Directed by Steven Simone-Friedland; Conceived and Performed by Rick Simone-Friedland
Theater for the New City | 155 First Avenue, New York, NY 10003
August 24-September 1, 2025
Kind Stranger, conceived and performed by Rick Simone-Friedland under the direction of Steven Simone-Friedland, was presented in the intimate black box setting of the Dream Up Festival. With only four set pieces and a small audience, the performance created a stripped-down, almost personal atmosphere. I was immediately struck by Simone-Friedland’s uncanny resemblance to Tennessee Williams, not only in appearance but also in the manner in which he carried himself and told the story. Having seen many of Williams’ works over the past year, it was especially lovely to once again hear his words brought to life with such care and immediacy.
The piece drew directly from Williams’ own words, weaving together reflections on his life with passages from his most famous works, including The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Summer and Smoke. Simone-Friedland’s approach allowed the audience to see beyond the myth of Tennessee Williams and encounter the man himself. He didn’t rely on spectacle or elaborate staging; instead, he leaned into a kitchen-sink realism that foregrounded truth and presence. The effect was like being invited into Williams’ home, whether in Manhattan, Nantucket or Key West, to sit with him as he shared his triumphs, losses, and loves. Projections, used both as intervals and as a kind of photo album, further deepened this sense of intimacy and memory. The staging was thoughtful and well-executed, honoring Williams’ artistry by trusting the language and simply letting it breathe, reminding us that his words are already rich and timeless without needing embellishment.
What made this piece particularly meaningful was its ability to reintroduce Williams’ words into today’s theatrical landscape. While new, innovative work is essential, revisiting the American canon grounds us in the lineage of our art. Simone-Friedland’s performance was a reminder that contemporary theatre exists because of the foundations laid by playwrights like Williams. Hearing these words today not only highlights their enduring relevance but also underscores how history, society, and personal struggles often circle back on themselves. The resonance of Williams’ commentary on love, identity, and human fragility continues to speak powerfully to our present moment.
Kind Stranger was both a tribute and an invitation: a chance to see Tennessee Williams not as an untouchable legend but as a man who lived, loved, and wrote with uncompromising truth. Simone-Friedland’s thoughtful storytelling, respect for the text, and well-staged execution created an intimate theatrical experience that felt both timeless and immediate. In its simplicity lay its greatest strength—a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful theatre is simply one person, a story, and the courage to tell it honestly.
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Review by Malini Singh McDonald.
Published by Theatre Beyond Broadway on August 31, 2025. All rights reserved.