The iconic American classic that launched the career of American playwright Tennessee Williams, this autobiographical “memory play” captures the fragility and stifled yearning of characters clinging to hope against the harsh realities of a rapidly changing world. Confined to a tiny St. Louis apartment on the eve of World War II, the Wingfield family struggles to find beauty amid the rough circumstances that surround them.. Aug. 23–Sept. 9, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.; $35-$49; International City Theatre is located in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. For tickets and info call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.
The Glass Menagerie
Reviews
Davis's interpretation of this American classic is not particularly innovative but as Tom confides to us during an early moment in the proceedings, “The Glass Menagerie” (named for Laura's beloved glass animal collection) is a “memory play.” Though the memories are not necessarily good, the poetic recollections compiled by Williams are poignant and profound. Underscored by functional stagecraft – Christopher Scott Murillo, scenic design; Kim DeShazo, costumes; Stacy McKenney Norr, lighting; Corwin Evans, sound – this two-hour and fifteen-minute (including an intermission) production of “The Glass Menagerie” is fittingly translucent and emotionally resonate, making it time well spent in the theater.
In this autobiographical work, Williams treats the past of his characters—especially the hope they have laden that past with—like a creature of the undead, hammering a stake through its heart. It would be a recurring theme in his works that hope never lays in the past and probably not even in the future.
I've now seen seven Glass Menageries on stage (and three more on film) and thanks to pitch-perfect casting and the provocative character choices its actors make, International City Theatre's is one of the best. Whether you're discovering Williams' most haunting of plays for the first time or re-experiencing its particular brand of stage magic, you could hardly ask for more than this touching, captivating revival.
The action of the play, with the Williams' inimitable flow of language, keeps the audience rapt as it absorbs the quirks of the characters and the humor and pathos of their individual situations. The cast is sterling led by a bravura performance by Ms. Parsons who does justice to the first of Tennessee Williams' grand females. Ms. Zerebko gives a nuanced, complex performance as Laura. Mr. Mayberry's Tom is instantly likeable as he bonds with the audience, but fierce in his desire to escape the smothering life he leads as Amanda's son and Laura's brother. And Mr. Garcia-Sanchez, handsome and charming as Jim, is the perfect picture of the disappointed former high school hero struggling to regain that glory.
Deftly directed by John Henry Davis, who has helmed International City Theatre productions of A Walk in the Woods, End of the Rainbow and Trying, Glass Menagerie is a spectacular revival of Tennessee Williams's exquisitely-lyrical play.
In this gem of a production, the actors have been astutely cast by director John Henry Davis, and Tom's goodbye to his sister—“Nowadays the world is lit by lightning…”—hits with particular force.
Tennessee Williams's "The Glass Menagerie" is the ultimate portrait of this dynamic that is all at once fragile and stronger than steel. International City Theatre's current production illuminates Williams's menagerie with a haunting light. Director John Henry Davis coaxes delicate and sensitive portraits of Williams's characters out of a capable cast... This production lives in the simple choices and clear decisions made by a caring group of artists who hold this play the way that Laura holds her glass menagerie.
ICT's rendition of The Glass Menagerie is one of the better plays I've seen in 2018, and the best play I've experienced at the ICT theatre in Long Beach. It stays faithful to the material and each character is allowed to shine.
Davis's interpretation of this American classic is not particularly innovative but as Tom confides to us during an early moment in the proceedings, “The Glass Menagerie” (named for Laura's beloved glass animal collection) is a “memory play.” Though the memories are not necessarily good, the poetic recollections compiled by Williams are poignant and profound. Underscored by functional stagecraft – Christopher Scott Murillo, scenic design; Kim DeShazo, costumes; Stacy McKenney Norr, lighting; Corwin Evans, sound – this two-hour and fifteen-minute (including an intermission) production of “The Glass Menagerie” is fittingly translucent and emotionally resonate, making it time well spent in the theater.
In this autobiographical work, Williams treats the past of his characters—especially the hope they have laden that past with—like a creature of the undead, hammering a stake through its heart. It would be a recurring theme in his works that hope never lays in the past and probably not even in the future.
I've now seen seven Glass Menageries on stage (and three more on film) and thanks to pitch-perfect casting and the provocative character choices its actors make, International City Theatre's is one of the best. Whether you're discovering Williams' most haunting of plays for the first time or re-experiencing its particular brand of stage magic, you could hardly ask for more than this touching, captivating revival.
The action of the play, with the Williams' inimitable flow of language, keeps the audience rapt as it absorbs the quirks of the characters and the humor and pathos of their individual situations. The cast is sterling led by a bravura performance by Ms. Parsons who does justice to the first of Tennessee Williams' grand females. Ms. Zerebko gives a nuanced, complex performance as Laura. Mr. Mayberry's Tom is instantly likeable as he bonds with the audience, but fierce in his desire to escape the smothering life he leads as Amanda's son and Laura's brother. And Mr. Garcia-Sanchez, handsome and charming as Jim, is the perfect picture of the disappointed former high school hero struggling to regain that glory.
Deftly directed by John Henry Davis, who has helmed International City Theatre productions of A Walk in the Woods, End of the Rainbow and Trying, Glass Menagerie is a spectacular revival of Tennessee Williams's exquisitely-lyrical play.
In this gem of a production, the actors have been astutely cast by director John Henry Davis, and Tom's goodbye to his sister—“Nowadays the world is lit by lightning…”—hits with particular force.
Tennessee Williams's "The Glass Menagerie" is the ultimate portrait of this dynamic that is all at once fragile and stronger than steel. International City Theatre's current production illuminates Williams's menagerie with a haunting light. Director John Henry Davis coaxes delicate and sensitive portraits of Williams's characters out of a capable cast... This production lives in the simple choices and clear decisions made by a caring group of artists who hold this play the way that Laura holds her glass menagerie.
ICT's rendition of The Glass Menagerie is one of the better plays I've seen in 2018, and the best play I've experienced at the ICT theatre in Long Beach. It stays faithful to the material and each character is allowed to shine.