Tennessee Williams classic play, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” premiered on Broadway on December 3, 1947. The drama was Williams first major success, and won him the first of his two Pulitzer Prizes. Marlon Brando originated the role of Stanley Kowalski, a performance that helped launch him to stardom. Four years later, he reprised the role in the film adaptation, which also went on to critical and commercial success. And, of course, the iconic image of Brando yelling “Stella!” is forever ingrained in our minds.
We had an opportunity to attend a stage performance of the play this summer at Albuquerque Little Theater. It might not be Broadway, but the performances and the production were excellent. Local actress Madison Dodd, who took on the challenge of Blanche DuBois, was particularly impressive.
One thing that intrigued me the most, however, was from the director’s notes prior to the performance, when he hinted at a connection between Tennessee Williams and New Mexico. I’ve always associated Williams with New Orleans, Key West, and New York City. Hearing of potential ties to the Land of Enchantment piqued my interest.
Tennessee Williams was born Thomas Lanier Williams in Columbus, Mississippi, in 1911. His family relocated to Missouri when he was seven-years-old. Missouri would be home for most of his childhood, and where he first attended college (the University of Missouri in Columbia). Williams lived an itinerant life for many years, until 1939 when he moved permanently to New Orleans and changed his name. He selected Tennessee as his pen name, as that was where his father was born.
Williams lived at a number of different addresses in New Orleans over the course of 40 years. He also had homes in Key West, and spent a considerable amount of time in New York City, home to his greatest successes.
So where does New Mexico come in?
One of the prominent literary influences on Tennessee Williams was the writer D.H. Lawrence. Williams was obsessed with Lawrence, and wanted to write a play about Lawrence’s life. In 1939 Williams wrote to Lawrence’s widow and asked to visit their ranch in Taos, New Mexico. Lawrence and his wife Frieda had lived there for two years during the 1920s, and it had become Frieda’s full-time residence after his death in 1930.
Williams stay in Taos was brief, likely little more than a long weekend. He purportedly said that the ghost of D.H. Lawrence was too strong in the place, and he felt an urgency to leave. He was also unimpressed with the area and its inhabitants. In a letter to his agent he said, “…these people are like the country – which is like a dead planet – the moon! – They have a brilliance but it is not living. Whatever was living in them must have died with Lawrence – anyway, it is certainly dead.”
So… yeah. Like Ricky Nelson says, you can’t please everyone. There’s a long list of great artists who have visited and been inspired by New Mexico, but apparently Tennessee Williams is not among them. And that’s fine.
The high desert isn’t for everyone. We often joke that everything here wants to kill you, including the land itself. You never leave the house without a hat, lip balm, a long-sleeved shirt, and a bottle of water. It’s the only place I’ve ever visited that has warning signs on hiking trails that you might not make it back.
I’ve been blessed over the past many decades to visit 48 of our 50 states, Central America, the Caribbean, Canada, and Mexico. The beauty of God’s creation is diverse and magnificent. From turquoise waters to purple mountains, from palm fronds to ponderosas, it’s all a testament to the master artist. But there’s not much, in my very humble opinion, that rivals the natural beauty of New Mexico. Georgia O’Keeffe declared, “It’s the most wonderful place you can imagine… It’s so beautiful there. It’s ridiculous.”
Perhaps it’s an acquired taste. Wide open spaces, red-cliffed mesas, snow-capped mountains, ponderosa pines, cactus blooming in the spring, sunsets that set the sky on fire… it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Tennessee Williams apparently revised his initial opinion of New Mexico in later years. Georgia O’Keeffe also said, “If you ever go to New Mexico, it will itch you for the rest of your life.” Williams may have been unimpressed with his first visit, but once you’ve been, it’s hard to get it off your mind.
New Orleans is a lovely city. Key West is certainly beautiful. NYC even has its moments. But I’ll take my ridiculous New Mexico any day.
P.A. Tennant – December, 2025
Soli Deo Gloria
Photo: P.A. Tennant
Copyright 2025 Paul A. Tennant
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