STAGE TUBE: GLASS MENAGERIE at CTGLA

Judith Ivey, Gordon Edelstein and Michael Ritchie all share their thoughts on the classic play by Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie. See the breathtaking new production on stage now at The Mark Taper Forum, starring Patch Darragh, Judith Ivey, Keira Keeley and Ben McKenzie. Directed by Gordon Edelstein.

A fresh interpretation of Tennessee Williams' haunting memory play "The Glass Menagerie" opens at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum at the Los Angeles Music Center on Sunday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Previews are currently underway and performances continue through October 17, 2010.

Directed by Gordon Edelstein, artistic director of the Long Wharf Theatre where this critically acclaimed production opened in May 2009, "The Glass Menagerie" is the compelling saga of the Wingfield family in the 1940s, struggling with illusion and reality.

The narrator is Tom, the son, who works in a shoe factory and is torn between his role as the family breadwinner and his desire to lead a life of his own. The story unfolds of his mother, Amanda, a former Southern belle and relentless romantic trying to maintain her dignity and her control in the gloom of their St. Louis tenement; of Laura, his frail sister who has retreated to an imaginary world caring for her collection of glass animals; and the visit of Jim, the Gentleman Caller, who changes the family forever.

Judith Ivey, who plays the iconic Amanda Wingfield, is joined by Patch Darragh as Tom, Keira Keeley as Laura and Ben McKenzie as Jim O'Connor, the Gentleman Caller. Ivey, Darragh and Keeley return to the roles they played at the Long Wharf Theatre and in the subsequent Roundabout presentation; McKenzie, who is best known for his roles on "Southland" and "The O.C.," and in the films "Johnny Got His Gun" and "Junebug," joins the company for this CTG run.

The scenic designer is Michael Yeargan, the costume designer is Martin Pakledinaz, the lighting designer is Jennifer Tipton and the sound designer is David Budries. Casting is by James Calleri with additional casting by Erika Sellin and Carrie Gardner. The production stage manager is Robyn Henry.