Cygnet Theatre's THE GLASS MENAGERIE Announces Cast

Rehearsals are currently underway for Cygnet's upcoming production, Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Artistic Director Sean Murray is tackling the story of one family's tensions, heartbreak and failings with a group that is almost like a family itself. The autobiographical memory play of Williams' life has been cast entirely with Cygnet Resident Artists - Rosina Reynolds, Francis Gercke, Amanda Sitton and Brian Mackey. Sean Murray directs. Previews begin October 19th, 2011, and the Press Opening is October 22nd, 2011.

Considered one of Williams' best, THE GLASS MENAGERIE is narrated by Tom Wingfield who regales the audience with intimate reflections of his mother (a former Southern Belle) and his crippled and emotionally fragile sister. Based upon Williams' own family, the play examines the pitiable intermingling of his life and theirs and the reason he walked away for good but was never able to stop looking back. THE GLASS MENAGERIE sprang from one of Williams' short stories titled "Portrait of a Girl in Glass." The play premiered in Chicago in 1944 and went on to Broadway in 1945 where it won a New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It was Williams' first success and also his most personal. His depictions of the tragic circumstances that ultimately led to a life fraught with alcoholism, anger and regret has never lost its truthfulness or its impact.

Artistic Director Sean Murray is a long-time admirer of the work of Tennessee Williams. Cygnet's 2005 production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (directed by Murray) won the company and its cast rave reviews and multiple top theatre awards. Murray had looked at directing another of Williams' works for many seasons but wanted to secure the perfect cast, up to the challenges and complexities of his scripts. Surprising conversations with several Cygnet Resident Artists provided a clear conclusion. Each confessed a desire to take on one of Williams' iconic characters in THE GLASS MENAGERIE. Murray's decision to bring this show to the Cygnet stage intensified with his growing desire to see these specific actors take on those very roles. Cygnet's production includes Rosina Reynolds (Noises Off, Copenhagen, The Little Foxes) as Amanda Wingfield, Francis Gercke (Our Town, The Tragedy of The Commons, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - SD Critics Circle Award Best Actor) as Tom Wingfield, Amanda Sitton (It's a Wonderful Life, Man From Nebraska, Las Meninas) as Laura Wingfield and Brian Mackey (The History Boys, Storytelling on the Green) as the "Gentleman Caller," Jim O'Connor. "It's truly a dream cast," statEd Murray. "Each actor is incredibly talented, and it's especially thrilling to provide these actors an opportunity to tackle roles they've all confessed to coveting throughout their acting careers."

With multiple inquiries from local schools and Cygnet's desire to bring this classic work to life for young audiences, Cygnet Theatre is inviting high school and college theatre teachers to bring their classes to THE GLASS MENAGERIE for just $10 per student ticket. Teachers who would like to arrange a student block of tickets should contact Communications and Outreach Director Jessica John Gercke at (619) 574-0059 x 118 or jessica@cygnettheatre.com. Other educational opportunities available include classroom study guides, post-show forums for groups of 50 or more and in-classroom Cygnet Artist guests to discuss the upcoming show (for a nominal fee).

THE GLASS MENAGERIE will begin previews Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 @ 7:30 pm at Cygnet Theatre located at 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Opening Night is Saturday, October 22nd, and the show runs until Sunday, November 13th. Cygnet's performance schedule for THE GLASS MENAGERIE will be Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 3pm and 8pm and Sundays at 2pm and 7pm. Special Events are scheduled throughout the run.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting Cygnet's website at www.cygnettheatre.com or by calling the box office at 619-337-1525. Tickets can also be purchased in person by visiting Cygnet's box office located at the Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

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