Photo Flash: Sierra Repertory presents THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Sierra Repertory Theatre is proud to present one of Tennessee Williams most highly regarded plays, The Glass Menagerie. It has been, and still is 'must see theatre.' This is a compelling story of an overbearing mother, her resentful son, her fragile daughter and the unsuspecting gentleman caller. Deeply complex themes of duty, love, abandonment, and self-deception are on high display here. What happens to a family when the dreams of one clash with the dreams of another?

Director Scott Viets is excited to bring this iconic play to the East Sonora stage. The Glass Menagerie is regarded as one of THE great American plays of all time. Its moving story, expressive language and indelible characters still resonate today because it presents truth in humanity, flaws and all, and that is forever timeless. Its groundbreaking theatrical concept of the "memory play," whereby the lead character narrates events drawn from his own interpretive memory, offers a director freedom in staging and approach, open to interpretation. It's that kind of creativity, free from rigidity of conventional staging that excites me the most. The characters and events in this play were actually rooted in Williams' own life and seen through a filter of time. Truth, life or reality is an organic thing which the poetic imagination can represent or suggest' - and that's very exciting territory for a director and cast to explore."

At its Broadway premier in 1945, critics wrote, "It has the courage of true poetry" and

"The stamina of success." They were prescient because The Glass Menagerie has seen seven Broadway revivals, been voiced on radio, videotaped for television, adapted into two American films and there are even film versions from India and Iran.

This deeply autobiographical story is a window into Williams' past. Tom is an aspiring writer, bored and frustrated working in a factory. Amanda Wingfield, a faded Southern Belle, dreams of her past and finding a suitor for her daughter Laura, but Laura's crippling shyness threatens to derail any chance for her own happiness.

The character Tom is based on Thomas 'Tennessee' Williams. Tom's mother, Amanda, reflects Williams' own domineering mother, Edwina. Williams' real life schizophrenic sister, Rose, is the basis for the emotionally fragile Laura, whose nickname in the story is 'Blue Roses.'

These full and complex characters are the reason this play continues to resonate. Some actors drawn to the role of Amanda Wingfield include Katherine Hepburn, Julie Harris, Jessica Lange, Jessica Tandy, Maureen Stapleton, and most recently, Sally Fields. The role of Laura has been played by, among others, Calista Flockhart and Sarah Paulson. Sam Waterston, Zachary Quinto and Christian Slater have played Tom.

Come see this beautifully honest look into the soul of an American family.

Led by Director Scott Viets, the creative team includes set designer Dana Moran Williams, costume designer Diana Newington, lighting designer Mike Sali properties designer Matt Sweetland.

The Glass Menagerie opens at the East Sonora Theatre October 6 and runs through October 29.

Performances are Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., Thursdays at either 2 or 7 p.m. The show is rated G for general audiences. For tickets and information visit www.sierrarep.org or call the Box Office at 209-532-3120.

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