production notes

Stairs to the Roof was first performed in 1945 in a laboratory setting, The Pasadena Playbox, an intimate space used for experimental productions. Seating only 50 persons, subscribers and invited guests, it was closed to the general public and to reporters. Gilmor Brown was the Director, assisted by Beatrice Hassell.

On February 26, 1947, the play opened at the Pasadena Playhouse, for a full-scale production directed by Gilmor Brown and Rita Glover, assisted by Julia Farnsworth. An elaborate musical background was arranged by Jack Curtiss; Fred C. Huxley was Technical Director.

Stairs to the Roof had its twenty-first century premiere at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois–Urbana from November 2 through 12, 2000. Thomas Mitchell was the Director; Lee Boyer was the Production Design Supervisor. A Symposium of Tennessee Williams scholars and theatre practitioners occurred in conjunction with the play.