On Sunday, September 18, Oak Park Festival Theatre will present a lecture by former Chicago Tribune chief theatre critic Richard Christiansen on the 1944 world premier of The Glass Menagerie and Claudia Cassidy's review of the play that launchEd Williams' career. The event will take place in Gottlieb Hall at West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., Oak Park, at 4:00 p.m. Members of the cast of OPFT's production will perform a short scene from the play, and Mr. Christiansen will take questions. Copies of Mr. Christiansen's book will be available for purchase and signing. There will be refreshments following the event. This event is free, but reservations are required. To attend, please call or email OPFT's box office at 708-445-4440 or Tickets@OakParkFestival.com.
Mr. Christiansen wrote the definitive history of Chicago theatre, A Theatre of Our Own, and was the first recipient of Oak Park Festival Theatre's Arden Award. He writes, "The 'Menagerie' review... has become a part of theater legend, for it announced to its readers, with the passion and joy that occurs when reviewer and subject matter meet in sublime harmony, the arrival of a gifted new playwright in the American theater."
The Glass Menagerie runs October 6 through November 13 at the Madison Street Theatre, 1010 W. Madison in Oak Park. Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Please note: Opening night on Sunday, October 9 is at 8:00 p.m. Please see OakParkFestival.com for the complete show schedule and to purchase tickets. Ticket prices are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. On Sundays, October 16, 23, 30, and November 6, students and seniors pay only $15 with ID. Tickets also may be purchased by calling the box office at 708-445-4440 or by emailing Tickets@OakParkFestival.com.
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