The Rose Tattoo at American Airlines Theatre

American Airlines Theatre is proud to present the latest revival of The Rose Tattoo. This revival tells Tennessee Williams’ story of Serafina, a woman who lost her zest for life after the death of her husband. Played by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, Serafina must contend with her feelings of loss and despair and find some way to rekindle her desire for love, lust, and life when a passionate suitor enters her life. Directed by Trip Cullman of Significant Other fame, this classic production brings humor, heart, and sultry spice as audience members are transported to a summer off the coast of Louisiana.

The Rose Tattoo Tickets:

Your ticket will take you to Serafina’s world as she struggles with the same doubts, frustrations, and despair that can come from tragedy as well as the elation and excitement that can come when love reaches out and brings light to a darkened world. Tomei is ready to deliver a performance that brings the passion of this Williams’ gem to audiences from all over the world. Anyone who has dealt with loss will find a lot of heart in this story, but anyone who wants to enjoy a riveting love story will have a great time with The Rose Tattoo.

American Airlines Theatre will only host this production for a limited time, so don’t delay and order your tickets while supplies last.

A Second Chance at Love

The Rose Tattoo tells the story of Serafina, a woman played by Marisa Tomei who had a husband in her life who was her world. She often bragged to her friends about her wonderful husband and enjoyed living the life of a wedded woman and spouse. The audience soon discovers that her husband, Rosario, had a secret that would destroy Serafina if she ever discovered it. But this secret never comes to life when tragedy strikes making Serafina into a widow.

Serafina, responds poorly to the loss, becoming a recluse and social pariah. Her only interactions with others are through her business as a tailor and as a distant mother to her daughter, Rosa. Serafina wants nothing to do with love and does everything she can to teach her daughter the same lessons that her bitterness has taught her. But as fate would have it, Serafina is forced to come face to face with her past, her beliefs, and the reality that there’s more than one way to live through tragedy and betrayal.

This lesser-known work from famed writer Tennessee Williams brings to the stage issues that many men and women face every day. It asks powerful questions like “What do you do when you discover that someone you loved lied to you?” or “Is it right to expect others to feel the same way that you do?”. The answers that our characters come to mirror answers that many audience members will have considered, experienced, or witnessed in their lives. But more than a story of grief and loss, it is also a tale of renewal.

As you watch the story unfold, you will watch Serafina transform from a woman embittered by tragedy, frustration, and pain into a woman inspired by love, lust, and humor. But the journey to reach one’s renewal is never easy and you can only experience it yourself if you order your tickets to see the show.

A Note About the Director of The Rose Tattoo

Director Trip Cullman is no stranger to theatre, with 6 director credits listed on playbill.com including The Rose Tattoo and 1 credit as assistant director for a 2003 production of Take Me Out. Cullman’s work and passion for high-quality productions have earned him recognition from the theatre community, with nominations for the 2011 Outstanding Director of a Play award for A Small Fire and a later nomination for Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play in 2018 for Lobby Hero. He has won an Obie award as well as several awards for off-Broadway works including Bachelorette, Punk Rock, Dog Sees God, Assistance, A Small Fire, and The Mother.

Cullman considers himself a workaholic, embracing his passion and love for the genre of live theatre. He was quoted in an article of Interview Magazine in saying that “It’s not out of the norm that I do back-to-back-to-back shows,” following directing his third production in 2017. Cullman’s interest in staying busy is notable since he brings the same level of energy and leadership to every one of his shows, which comes through in the productions and the on-stage performances of the actors.

A huge part of his success with actors can be attributed to his time as an actor and assistant director before taking on the director’s chair. This multi-level background helps him understand how to get the best results from his casts, which certainly helps when it comes time for the American Airlines Theatre production of The Rose Tattoo. Many critics are keeping an eye on Cullman to see if he will pull off another award-winning production with many predicting that he will gain recognition for a popular and very successful revival.

Information about American Airlines Theatre

American Airlines Theatre in New York City was originally known as Selwyn Theatre. The original facility was designed in the Italian Renaissance style as a Broadway Theatre in 1918. The designer, George Keister, intended the theater to serve for musicals and dramatic performances, but it was later converted for film screenings. The theatre has a period of vacancy after a short stint as a visitor’s center until it’s 1997 renovation and restoration.

The original theatre was designed for a maximum occupancy of 1,180 seats. One of the main innovations of the theater was the existence of smoking rooms for men and women and dressing rooms that came complete with showers and telephones for convenience for the actors. When the theatre was later converted to film screenings in the 30s, it was primarily used for double features of Hollywood’s best films from the 30s to the 50s. In the 60s, the theatre was then used to show grindhouse programs in between legitimate theatre productions over the following decades. But as the facilities went into disrepair, it was used as a visitor’s center but was largely left unused and vacant, especially during the 90s.

After the city and state of New York took possession of Selwyn in 1990, it fell under the protection of the New 42nd Street organization to preserve its legacy. The Roundabout Theatre Company made a 1997 commitment to restore the theatre to its former grandeur with a reduced capacity of 740 seats. The theatre was renamed American Airlines Theatre in honor of its main sponsor and was later reopened on June 30, 2000. Currently, the theatre serves as the home for its in-residence company, the Roundabout and plays host to its major dramatic productions.