The Fourth Walsh

Lookingglass Theatre presents a Brando Beginnings production of KOWALSKI.

It’s the summer of 1947. Tennessee Williams has completed his script for “A Streetcar Named Desire.” He has selected Jessica Tandy to play Blanche. He needs to decide on an actor to play Stanley. His director sends a newbie to him for an audition. Williams is already frustrated that the guy is late… three days late. And at 23, he is also too young for the part. When a cavalier Marlon Brando swaggers into Tennessee’s home, drama ensues. Writer and actor engage in psychological warfare, each determined to force the other into submission.

Playwright Gregg Ostrin imagines the initial conversations between a celebrity playwright and a future movie icon in this origin story to the destined masterpiece. Ostrin’s premise is rooted as a memory play. It starts with Tennessee (played by Johnny Galecki) being interviewed about casting the unknown Brando. Galecki engages immediately. He perfectly delivers magnolia charm with a razor’s edge. He hides his insecurity in a velvet drawl spiked with sass.

Director Colin Hanlon effortlessly pivots us to decades earlier by having Galecki take off his jacket and pour a drink. He paces around the couch where Margo (played by Understudy Paige Eva Cilluffo) is reading his latest script. Galecki and Cilluffo share playful and sometimes sharp barbs as they dissect the script, the theatre and their friendship. Meanwhile, Pancho (played by Reece Dos Santos), Tennessee’s hot-headed lover, wants to go out partying. The fiery squabble gives a glimpse into their dysfunctional and booze-soaked relationship. The exchanges feel authentic. Galecki plays Tennessee as armored in affectation and fairly insensitive to the plight of others.    

When Marlon arrives (played by Jacob Moskovitz), Tennessee has met his match. Their similar childhoods, guarded personas and mutual disdain make for a compelling tug-of-war. Ostrin’s dialogue showcases Williams as a verbal virtuous and Brando as emotionally abrupt. Their sparring is riddled with humor and tension. It’s mesmerizing! Add in the delightful Ellie Ricker (Jo) and the stakes grow higher. The persuasive Galecki and commanding Moskovitz are now competing for a prize. It’s on! And the audience watches this combustible collaboration of two titans working to marry words and actions together to birth Kowalski.   

KOWALSKI is a trifecta of writing, directing and acting at their finest. Chicago is bursting with great theatre right now. See it all if you can. But if you have to choose just one, make it KOWALSKI. It’s theatricality personified.   

Running Time: Ninety minutes without an intermission

Lookingglass Theatre, 163 E. Pearson

Written by Gregg Ostrin

Directed by Colin Hanlon

Tuesdays Wednesdays, Thursdays at 7pm

Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm

Wednesdays, Saturdays Sundays at 2pm

Sundays at 6:30pm

October 25

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Michael Brosilow

Black and white photo by Emily Cohen