The Nevada Conservatory Theatre (NCT) at UNLV opens Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer Prize-winning play "A Streetcar Named Desire" at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. The performances coincide with the centennial of the birth of Tennessee Williams, which is celebrated throughout 2011.

The play centers on the battle between Blanche du Bois, one of the greatest roles in the history of American theatre, and Stanley Kowalski, one of the greatest male roles. It is rated PG-13.

Jeffrey Koep, dean of the UNLV College of Fine Arts and a professor of theatre, directs "A Streetcar Named Desire." He recently directed "Lenny" and "Come Back, Little Sheba" for NCT. As a performer, he portrayed Lenny in "Of Mice and Men" and Cardinal Wolsey in "A Man for All Seasons."

Koep is currently working with award-winning African American playwright Carolyn Cole on two new works for possible production in New York. Koep is a member of The College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

The cast includes Gerrad Taylor as Stanley Kowalski; Ann-Marie Pereth as Stella Kowalski; and Paris McCarthy as Blanche Du Bois. Others in the cast include Jordan Bondurant, Cynthia Vodovoz, Kevin Tomlinson, Christopher Rosado, Martin Gaut, Analisa Kimball, and Jennifer Johnson.

Performances are Oct. 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 at 8 p.m., and Oct. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center box office. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. Performing Arts Center box office hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The box office may be reached at 702-895-2787. Season tickets are available.