Beginning with her impoverished childhood, Anna Magnani's life was a struggle against anger, loss and betrayal that was offset by an electrifying persona which captivated some of the most influential artists of her era, most notably Tennessee Williams who wrote The Rose Tattoo for her, providing a role that led her to become the first foreign actress to win the Academy Award.

The production is directed by Actors Studio Member and director Elizabeth Kemp, herself an actress chosen by Williams to star in one of his last plays.