`THE ROSE TATTOO' WILL OPEN IN T.O.

Byline: P. Catherine Shanks Community Columnist

The Tennessee Williams classic ``The Rose Tattoo'' opening Saturday at the Arts Council Center promises to be more than another scene-by-scene rehash of the story of an immigrant seamstress inexplicably drawn to banana-truck drivers.

Director Bianca Jansen has transformed the Arts Council Center into a 1950s-style Southern tableau, complete with a generous dash of Italian.

``When you come in, you'll be transported immediately,'' said Jansen, who described her set as ``full of joy and flowers.''

Intending to create an audience-involving environment, Jansen has worked to ensure seamless movement between scenes and acts. The director has carefully covered scene changes with appropriate music, including popular Italian themes: the beautiful Ravel ``Pavene pour une infante defunte,'' ``Pavene for a Dead Princess'' and other selections.

Serafina, the leading lady played by Suzanne Tobin, has been tapped by Jansen to help facilitate scene changes.

``Serafina brings in all the scene changes by way of props,'' said Tobin. ``That way, there is a continuous motion. The audience isn't startled out of the moment.''

Jansen and Tobin were both drawn to the Tennessee Williams play years ago upon viewing the 1955 film version starring Anna Magnani and Burt Lancaster. Jansen knew she one day would direct the play; Tobin knew she one day would play Serafina.

``The emotion sucked me right in,'' said Tobin. She referred to ``The Rose Tattoo'' as a women's play, though not exclusively a play for women. ``It's about a woman's life and periods of self-denial, despair and self-reconciliation,'' said Jansen. ``Real, solid people surround Serafina and help her out of her depression.''

Jansen was prepared to produce the show two years ago with Tobin in the lead role. ``She came to me and said, `I found the show,' '' said Tobin. The actress knew immediately which role Jansen earmarked for her. But two pregnancies on the part of Tobin, and one on the part of Jansen, temporarily pre-empted the production.

``Two years later, we're finally doing it,'' said Jansen.

The intimate Arts Council Center promises to lend itself handily to the tale of a despondent, grief-obsessed young woman turned love-obsessed widow. A sub-plot involving a daughter and her love interest adds another layer to the passionate story. Theatergoers in the small house will be instantly privy to all of the edge and nuance written into the Tennessee Williams characters.

``Serafina is the most full-circle character he wrote,'' said Tobin of the Williams character she brings to life onstage. The actress said that, unlike most of the plays penned by Williams, ``The Rose Tattoo'' is particularly life-affirming and, occasionally, light-hearted.

``It's sad and it's horrible, but it's also ridiculous,'' she said.

She admitted that her fondest desire is to bring adequate passion to her role and to deliver the message: What's past is past, and to move forward is to live.

``The Rose Tattoo'' is Gothic Productions' presentation running weekends through Dec. 6.

The Arts Council Center is located at 482 Greenmeadow Drive. Tickets are priced at $12; $10 for students and seniors. Admission will be reduced to $7.50 Thanksgiving weekend. For tickets and information, call [phone].

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Jim Diderrich, who portrays Father De Leo, and Suzanne Tobin as Serafina Delle Rose rehearse a scene from ``The Rose Tattoo.''

(2--Color) (Ran in Simi Edition only) Suzanne Tobin, left, as Serafina, and Bobbi Van Eman as Estelle Hohengarten work on their portrayals for ``The Rose Tattoo.''

Evan Yee/Daily News