Franchelle Stewart Dorn Headlines CTC?s THE GLASS MENAGERIE 7/25-8/2

Chautauqua Theater Company Artistic Directors Vivienne Benesch and Ethan McSweeny are proud to announce the second production of the 2009 season: Tennessee Williams' classic The Glass Menagerie.

The delicate glass figures in Laura's menagerie are not the only things at risk of shattering in this searing memory play that launched the storied career of one of America's greatest playwrights. With uncanny timeliness, Menagerie depicts a downturned America whose hands had been "pressed forcibly down on the fiery Braille alphabet of a dissolving economy." Stuck in a St. Louis tenement in the midst of the Great Depression, Tom, an aspiring poet with a dead-end job, his overbearing mother Amanda, and his painfully shy sister Laura await a "Gentleman Caller" who, they hope, will save them from dashed hopes and diminished expectations. Director Ethan McSweeny takes on this American masterpiece with three-time Helen Hayes Award winner Franchelle Stewart Dorn as Amanda, and returning Conservatory members Ryan Garbayo and Amelia Pedlow as her fragile children.

Ethan McSweeny is in his fifth summer as artistic director of CTC, where his past work includes lauded productions of Death of a Salesman, The Just, The Cherry Orchard and All My Sons. A nationally known director of new plays, classics and revivals, his 2008-2009 season included major productions at the Guthrie, Center Stage, the Shakespeare Theatre and The Old Globe. His New York direction includes the premieres of 100 Saints You Should Know (Entertainment Weekly and TimeOut Top Ten of 2007) and 1001 (TimeOut Top Ten of 2007), the Broadway revival of Gore Vidal's The Best Man (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards) and the Off-Broadway premiere of John Logan's Never the Sinner (Outer Critics Circle Award).

"I've been fortunate to be able to introduce Chautauqua audiences to some remarkable actresses- Lisa Harrow, Amy Van Nostrand and Ellen McLaughlin to name but a few," says McSweeny. "It is a pleasure now to bring Franchelle Stewart Dorn to the Bratton Stage. She is truly one of our country's greatest leading ladies and I know she will thrill audiences in this iconic role."

Ms. Dorn recently completed a national tour of A Raisin in the Sun. She has performed in theaters across the country including the Guthrie, Yale Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, The American Conservatory Theater, Bread Loaf Acting Ensemble and Arena Stage, and was a resident actor from 1986-2008 with The Shakespeare Theatre Company where her landmark roles included Lady Macbeth, Cleopatra, Maria, Portia and Paulina. Her television work includes appearances on "One Life to Live," "Law and Order," "Another World" and numerous PBS shows. Her film credits include roles in Die Hard: With a Vengeance, The Pelican Brief and Chances Are. She is head of the acting program at The University of Texas at Austin.

Returning to the Bratton Stage are Conservatory members Ryan Garbayo (NYU) as Amanda's dissatisfied son Tom and Amelia Pedlow (Julliard) as his shy sister Laura. Last season, Mr. Garbayo played Tim Timko in Reckless and Tom Snout in A Midsummer Night's Dream. CTC audiences will remember Ms. Pedlow's comic turn as Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream and her role in the New Play Workshop of Sick. Conservatory member Kevin Alan Daniels (Yale) makes his CTC debut playing Jim O'Connor, the anticipated Gentleman Caller.

The designers responsible for CTC's hit season opener Arcadia return for Menagerie. This powerhouse team includes Lee Savage (sets), who designed 2008's Death of a Salesman and A Midsummer Night's Dream, as well as 2007's The Just. Among his many credits, Mr. Savage received a Connecticut Critics Circle Award for Best Scenic Design for The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow at Yale Repertory Theatre. Tracy Christensen (costumes) previously designed CTC's productions of Death of a Salesman, The Cherry Orchard, The Art of Coarse Acting, All My Sons, and Picasso at the Lapin Angile. Ms. Christensen's Broadway credits include Souvenir at Lyceum Theater and Assistant Costume Designer for The Little Mermaid and Shrek, which recently won the Tony award for costume design. Tyler Micoleau (lights) celebrates his third season with CTC, having most recently designed last season's Salesman and Reckless. Mr. Micoleau's Off-Broadway credits include 1001 with Page 73 Productions, directed by Mr. McSweeny, God's Ear at the Vineyard Theatre and Rainbow Kiss with the Play Company. After his remarkable design on Salesman, Michael Roth (composer) returns for a second season with CTC. His numerous credits include Brooklyn Boy and A Walk in the Woods on Broadway, as well as the Off-Broadway productions of The Persians, Dinner With Friends and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival's current production of Macbeth.

CTC performs in the award-winning, historic Bratton Theater. Internationally known actors, directors, designers and writers join 18 emerging artists drawn from the nation's top training programs to form a unique company that produces a vibrant summer of work.

Patrons seeking further information about The Glass Menagerie or other CTC programming are encouraged to visit our website: www.CTCompany.org. The site also provides useful links to information about other events at the Institution. Off-grounds ticket buyers may, at no additional charge, enjoy the Institution grounds from noon until 8 p.m. with a matinee ticket or from 4 p.m. to midnight with an evening ticket.

Tickets: $27
(716) 357-6250
www.CTCompany.org

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