A Tennessee 'Tattoo'

The American Repertory Theater of Western New York (ART) is presenting Tennessee Williams' passionate masterpiece, "The Rose Tattoo," with performances from April 18 through May 11 at Theaterloft, 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo

Winner of the 1951 Tony Award for Best Play, this is one of Williams' most beautiful and powerful plays. Set among a colony of Sicilians on the American Gulf Coast, it is the story of a woman for whom love was stronger than death.

Serafina Delle Rose is a restless widow whose intense and absorbing instinct for love drives everything before it. The figure of this extraordinary woman dominates the small town where she and her friends are living and embodies the exultation and danger of unbridled passion.

Her story, that of her chosen lover and the daughter she denies, are forged into a play of power, humanity and soaring emotion that is creatively balanced with a light-hearted touch of humor.

The production, directed by Artie Award-nominated director Christopher Standart, features Marie Costa as Serafina, Michael Votta as Alvaro, and Joy Scime, Alaina Renee Miller, Jeanne Cairns, Candace Lukasik, John Kaczorowski, Kerrykate Able, Peter Jaskowiak, Kelly Ferguson Moore, Mary Loftus, Diane M. Cammarata, Diane Serra and Carol J. Alaimo.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with two Saturday matinees at 3 p.m. April 26 and May 10. Sunday night performances are at 7 p.m. There will be a special presentation of select passages of Tennessee Williams on May 2 in place of the normal scheduled performance.

Tickets are $15 general admission and $12 for students and theater guild members. For more information, visit www.artofwny.org.