Take a trip to New Orleans this weekend without ever leaving Winnsboro, and meet some of the most fascinating people you’ll ever encounter on the Pine Tree Playhouse stage as you catch A Streetcar Named Desire.

Director Liz Ross and her cast have worked in intensive rehearsal for the past few months to bring Tennessee Williams’ story of Stanley Kowalski, Stella and Blanche DuBois to life on the stage.

Michael Hemlepp plays Stanley as a dark, brooding presence whenever he enters the scene, almost a force of nature. His real-life spouse Betsy Hemlepp plays Stanley’s love interest, Stella, a relationship summed up by the famous, agonized cry of “Stella!” from street level. A novice to the stage, Betsy turns in an amazing performance.

Not to be left out of the mix is Catherine Hendricks as Blanche DuBois, the half-mad Southern Belle. Blanche and her sister Stella represent the two halves of the Southern way of life; Stella as a representative of the New South and Blanche very much a product of the Old South.

These three actors are ably supported by their fellow cast members as they move around the stage in different relationships.

It is an exhausting, gripping, at times uncomfortable piece of theater, and one that you will very much be glad you saw.

Don’t miss a ride on this Streetcar.

A Streetcar Named Desire continues through this weekend, with 8 p.m. performances on Friday, May 9 and 10 and a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 11.

Call the Pine Tree Playhouse at (803) 635-6847 for reservations and ticket details.