Raleigh Little Theatre to Present THE GLASS MENAGERIE

Patrick Torres, Raleigh Little Theatre's Artistic Director, didn't like The Glass Menagerie the first time he read it. Since then, he's come a long way with the play, assistant directing it at the Kennedy Center in a production starring Sally Field in 2004, and now directing it for the first time at RLT. The production opens on June 10 in the Sutton Theatre.

"I couldn't understand why we were watching this family bicker for two acts. But then, I was given the opportunity to work on it. One day, I realized I wasn't watching a family bicker - I was watching a mother, son, and daughter wrestle with the kind of complicated love only families know - where we push and pull until we break. Now, as I direct it for the first time, I am grateful that this amazing company of actors we have assembled are teaching me even more about this fragile, beautiful masterpiece," said Torres.

The production features a small cast that includes RLT veterans and newcomers. Mary Rowland (Amanda) previously starred in Wit and A Streetcar Named Desire. Jesse Gephart (Tom) has performed on the RLT stage many times, most recently in Miss Nelson is Missing in the Youth Series. He recently directed "Master Harold"...and the Boys for Mortall Coile Theatre Company. Kelly McConkey makes her second appearance following Blithe Spirit in 2014. Ryan LaDue (Jim) has not appeared before in an RLT production, but performed in Seed Art Share's A Midsummer Night's Dream in the Raleigh Rose Garden last spring.

The performance on Sunday, June 19 will be audio described by Arts Access, a service provided for patrons with low vision or who are blind. All performances in the Sutton Theatre are now accessible to patrons with low hearing through a permanently installed hearing loop system. ASL interpretation is available by request two weeks prior to opening by contacting the box office.

"The Glass Menagerie" runs June 10 - 26 in the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. Tickets for all events at RLT can be purchased by calling the box office (919)-821-3111, Monday through Friday, noon to 5:00 p.m., or by visiting the theatre's website at www.raleighlittletheatre.org.