The Glass Menagerie to be performed at Simpson
November 29, 2011
Theatre Simpson’s next production will be Tennessee Williams’ The
Glass Menagerie that tells a part of Williams’ life through a small
cast of four.
Assistant Professor of Theatre Ann Woldt is directing this very
emotional and intensity filled play.
“What
the audience, I hope, are able to see is a bit of Tennessee
Williams’ life, this is his most autobiographical play and a lot of
the characters mirror some of the people that were closest to him
in his life, his mother his sister, his father and himself,” Woldt
said.
Seniors Meghan Vosberg (playing Amanda Wingfield) and Paul
Privitera (playing Tom Wingfield), freshman Stacie Kjellsen
(playing Laura Wingfield) and sophomore Ethan Newman (playing Jim
O’Connor) make up the small cast.
Amanda Wingfield is an overprotective and determined single mother
who will do anything to make her children succeed in life and in
love.
“My
favorite part is watching the relationships between the mother and
her children, where at the end of the day they all really love each
other, but they all have very different hopes and dreams,” Woldt
said.
Privitera’s character exudes passion, a look inside a man who has
bigger dreams than what his reality is.
“You
will find in the character Tom quite a bit of Tennessee Williams
himself and I hope when people come they might understand Tennessee
Williams a little better,” Woldt said.
In
the play, Tom Wingfield’s sister Laura Wingfield is shy and modest.
Kjellsen captivates the audience as a sweet, quiet and vulnerable
girl who is in love. She is given a confidence boost by Newman’s
character, O’Connor.
Newman defines his character as the hope in the play.
“My
character represents the hope and way out for a family being beaten
down by the difficulties in life,” Newman said.
Since
this play is heavily autobiographical of Williams, the play is
filled with relatable emotions.
“They
will see a story about dreams, hopes and unmet expectations,” Woldt
said.
“This
is a classic piece of literature and the family dynamics portrayed
are timeless and can be easily related too,” Newman said. “I’m
looking forward to performing for the audience to see how they
respond emotionally to the piece.”
Every
character takes you on a journey and makes the audience realize the
talent of these actors.
“The
process for me that has been so exciting is to watch the growth of
the actors,” Woldt said.
The
Glass Menagerie will be showing on Dec. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 4
at 1 p.m. in Pote Theatre. Students who attend the show can receive
forum credit for attending one of the performances.
Tickets can be reserved online at http://simpson.tix.com/.