Studio Tenn's GLASS MENAGERIE opens 2/18 with Pasto-Crosby, Sikes and Maddox

Nashville's Studio Tenn theatre company concludes its inaugural season with Tennessee Williams' classic play The Glass Menagerie, running February 17-27 at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre. Williams' play is an award-winning portrayal of a disintegrating family during the depression and is the play that introduced him as one of the preeminent American Playwrights of the 20th century.

The Glass Menagerie will star Nashville's own Nan Gurley as Amanda Wingfield, the faded Southern belle hoping to recapture the tattered remains of her own romantic past by inviting a "gentleman caller" for dinner to introduce him to her shy and reserved daughter. Last seen on the Studio Tenn stage in her tour de force performance as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!, Gurley just recently completed the run of Shakespeare's Case for Nashville Shakespeare Festival.

Also featured in the cast is Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, another Nashville native and a staple of the Nashville theater community, as her son, Tom Wingfield, a role that clearly is based upon the playwright himself.

Ellie Sikes, a recent graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, joins the cast as Laura Wingfield, the young woman who spends her time caught up in the fantasies of her collection of glass animals.

Playing Jim, the gentleman caller, is Brent Maddox, a professor at Belmont University who made his Nashville stage debut in Actors Bridge Ensemble's acclaimed production of Vincent in Brixton.

Studio Tenn is led by artistic director Matt Logan, who will design and direct The Glass Menagerie, and managing director Jake Speck, both Nashville natives who made good on Broadway and have brought their experience back home to Tennessee.

Studio Tenn mades its presence felt in the Nashville theater community in 2010 with its productions of Hello, Dolly! And A Christmas Carol. Next up on the Studio Tenn calendar will be Show Hope's second annual production of Cinderella, to be presented April 15 at Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

The Glass Menagerie plays at Belmont University's Black Box Theatre on February 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26 at 7 p.m., as well as Sunday matinee performances February 20 and 27 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by visiting TicketsNashville.com or by calling (615) 628-9100. To learn more about Studio Tenn, visit their website at www.studiotenn.com.

Pictured: Nan Gurley and Ellie Sikes in The Glass Menagerie

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