Gamm Theatre Stages Williams' GLASS MENAGERIE

The Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre (The Gamm) presents Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, a semi-autobiographical retelling of the author's early years in Depression-era St. Louis. The play that established Williams as one of the preeminent playwrights of the 20th century is an unforgettable and heartbreaking portrait of a family desperate to break free from dysfunction and society's constraints.

Gamm Resident Director FrEd Sullivan, Jr. (Much Ado About Nothing, Awake and Sing!) pairs Gamm Resident Actor Sam Babbitt as the elder narrator character, Tom Wingfield, and Marc Dante Mancini (Ralphie in Awake and Sing!) as his younger self. Gamm Resident Actor Wendy Overly plays the iconic role of Tom's aging mother, Amanda Wingfield, long-abandoned by her husband. Rounding out the cast are Diana Buirski (Hennie in Awake and Sing!) as Tom's unmarried and introverted sister, Laura, and Kelby T. Akin (Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet) as her Gentleman Caller.

The Glass Menagerie runs from March 4 through April 4 at The Gamm Theatre, 172 Exchange St., Pawtucket, RI. Tickets are $24, $28 and $40 (depending on day/time), preview and press performances (Mar. 4-8) only $24. Discounts for subscribers, groups of 10 or more, seniors and students. For tickets call 401-723-4266 or go to www.gammtheatre.org.

The Glass Menagerie Synopsis
In a rundown apartment in a St. Louis ghetto, erstwhile Southern belle Amanda Wingfield, her painfully shy daughter, Laura, and her aspiring writer son, Tom, form a triangle of quiet desperation. Amanda, an overbearing single mother, lives on memories of her glorious flower-scented youth, while her children bear the weight of her unrealistic dreams for their future until hope arrives in the form of a gentleman caller for Laura. Winner of the 1945 New York Drama Critics Circle Award and the literary masterpiece that launched Williams' career, The Glass Menagerie continues to capture the imagination and hearts of American audiences.

Director Sullivan notes, "Tennessee Williams said about his writing that it was a plea for the understanding of the delicate people--the delicate, complex, broken people we all know, are, or have within our families of origin or choice. Tom, the author's birth name, says in the play: 'I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.' Williams uses the memory play to exorcise his family's demons with great love and startling detail and, by doing so, hopefully gets closer to understanding and forgiveness."

"This play is filled with unforgettable characters and the beautiful human complexities of denial, shame, unconditional love, abandonment, identity and survival," Sullivan added. "Written in Williams' uniquely gorgeous poetic Southern syntax, The Glass Menagerie surprisingly contains more laugh-out-loud humor and bold brash drama than easy sentiment."

About The Gamm Theatre

Founded in 1984 as Alias Stage, the non-profit Sandra Feinstein-Gamm Theatre creates the finest of live theater, engaging the audience intensely in current and recurrent issues of consequence. The Gamm further serves the public with educational outreach programming designed to support the theatrical experience, and help sustain and enhance the intellectual and cultural life of its community. The Gamm is a member of New England Area Theatre (NEAT), a bargaining unit of the Actors Equity Association.

About this Production of The Glass Menagerie

By Tennessee Williams
Directed by FrEd Sullivan, Jr.

Set Design by Patrick Lynch
Costume Design Marilyn Salvatore
Lighting Design by Matthew Terry
Technical Direction by Dade Veron
Stage Management by Kate Ferdinandi*

CAST
Tom, Sam Babbitt*
Young Tom, Marc Dante Mancini
Amanda, Wendy Overly*
Laura, Diana Buirski*
Gentleman Caller, Kelby T. Akin*
Violin, David Tessier

*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Props Master, Katryne Hecht; Sound & Music Design, Kerry Callery; Dramaturge, Jennifer Madden; Production Assistant/Wardrobe Assistant, Helen Brennan; Production Assistant, Arik Beatty

 

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