The Glass Menagerie
The Glass Menagerie
#1The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:01pm
I'm not too-enthusastically seeing the roundabout Glass Menagerie as part of a 3 subscription - I don't know ANYTHING about it - and it will basically be the first play I've ever seen. I don't really want spoilers or anything as I guess I'd enjoy it more that way, but is it an accessible play? In terms of understanding, entertainment etc..
Thanks
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
#2The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:07pm
I'm not sure, but I think reading it might give spoilers 
.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#3The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:14pmIt's a brilliant classic. That's all you really need to know.
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#4The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:14pm
It's a great play and one that's very accessible. It's easy to understand and the symbolism is easy enough to get.
Enjoy!
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#5The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:18pmThis was required reading when I was in High School. Am I that old that it no longer is? lol
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
#6The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:21pm
Thankyou ljay and PiraguaGuy
Huss, I am from Australia so our 'required readings' would have differed :).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#7The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:24pm
You're welcome. Piragua actually summed it up perfectly. It's an accessible play, and the symbolism is clear.
Updated On: 1/10/10 at 09:24 PM
#8The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:28pm
I saw a local production. It is kinda depressing, so keep that in mind.
I would really need to revisit it to know my real opinion. The production, I was told, was directed to be really slow and to build. One of the main characters played differently than traditionally done. It was affective nonetheless.
Updated On: 1/10/10 at 09:28 PM
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#9The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:29pmIt's one of Tennessee Williams' best, which means it's one of the great American plays. It isn't all that "difficult" to understand, but you should be listening closely to the language -- one of the most poetic in American literature.
BroadwayEd
Huss417
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#10The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:35pm
"Huss, I am from Australia so our 'required readings' would have differed :)."
That makes me feel a little better but I am still that old. : )
"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter."
Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.
#11The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/10/10 at 9:38pmDon't worry Huss, I'm 18 and I was required to read it for high school : )
#12The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:12pm
I saw this particular production in Connecticut last year and was delighted to have made the trek. The concept behind this production is pretty unique and quite ingenious (I'll stop there for purposes of limiting spoilers). Simply put: it is a fantastic production of an already brilliant play. Oh, and the ensemble are all in top form, led by the great Judith Ivey.
Perhaps you shouldn't read it until after you see the play. Though quite a good read, I believe this play is best seen first and then read (especially with this top flight production).
One Song Glory
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/12/05
#13The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/11/10 at 4:13pmIt's southern gothic and it's a dream play. That's what I learned when I read it in my Theatre class.
I'm not a gay stereotype. I'm a coincidence.
#14The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/11/10 at 5:20pmHuss, I am a high school English teacher and it is still a mandatory part of the American Lit curriculum. (It is Shakespeare we have to worry about leaving standard curricula as folks are claiming it isn't "accessible" to modern youth. Ahh...the state of education today.)
pc1145N2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/28/07
#15The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/12/10 at 11:17pmI think this is a wonderful play that is beautifully written. It's a perfect introduction to American Theatre.
#16The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/12/10 at 11:23pmHuss417, I'm 19 and had to read it in 11th grade English, so it's still required reading. :)
flossie2
Stand-by Joined: 11/6/03
#17The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 12:32amI love the play but did not like this production coming from Long Wharf at all. I did not like that it was set in Tom's hotel room with the characters floating in and out. Having Laura play with her menagerie while sitting on her brother's bed in the hotel was kind of creepy rather than sad. I won't be seeing it again even for the $10 seats.
Dollypop
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#18The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 6:17amDid I miss the opportunity to get the $10 seats?
"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)
Tom1071
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/1/04
#19The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 10:37amThis is my absolute all time favorite play. I would pay any price to see it.
#20The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 12:09pm
Did I miss the opportunity to get the $10 seats?
- Yes. A long time ago.
#21The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 12:30pmI probably missed something, but does this version only have 3 characters? On the site there isn't anyone listed as the Gentleman Caller.
#22The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 12:37pm
Michael Mosley was just announced as Jim yesterday
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/135902-Darragh-Ivey-Keeley-and-Mosley-Confirmed-for-Roundabouts-Glass-Menagerie
#23The Glass Menagerie
Posted: 1/13/10 at 12:47pm
I've never actually seen MENAGERIE performed. I've read it many times though and I'm very excited that the first production I'll be seeing of it is so highly regarded. And with Judith Ivey? Amazing.
Interested to know what the "concept" is. Anyone who has seen it previously, PM me?
