The Glass Menagerie, written by Tennessee Williams, will soon come to life on the Mitchell Theatre stage.
Set in St. Louis in the 1930s, this Williams play follows a family of four struggling to provide during the Great Depression. Williams is known for writing “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” as well as many other one-act plays.
Jim O’Connor, the “gentleman caller,” is one of the four characters this story follows. It also follows Amanda Wingfield, mother of two, and “retired southern belle” Tom Wingfield, a poet working in a shoe factory and Tom’s shy older sister, Laura Wingfield.
Williams is one of the most well-known playwrights of his time, Gavin Kastner, a senior musical theatre major, said. Admiring his work, Kastner shared one of his favorite quotes from the character Jim O’Connor.
“Being disappointed is one thing and being discouraged is something else. Well, I may be disappointed but I am not discouraged,” Kastner said.
The talented cast of four includes junior musical theatre major Grace Bradshaw as Amanda Wingfield, sophomore musical theatre major Milo Guevara as Tom Wingfield, junior theatre arts major Megan Decker as Laura Wingfield and Gavin Kastner as Jim O’Connor.
As the theatre department has prepared for the show, they have not shied away from portraying the world realistically, Kastner said.
“It teaches us and our audiences something important,” Kastner said. “What I really admire about Taylor Theatre is that, in a place where some would assume that we play it safe, we're more focused on telling a good and authentic story in the fullest way that it can be told.”
Two casts have been working to perform this show. The second cast will perform the Saturday matinee.
On Sept. 27th, the 2 p.m. show will be performed by junior musical theatre major Selah Grannis as Amanda Wingfield, junior musical theatre major TJ Fausnight as Tom Wingfield, junior theatre arts major Lydia Hertzog as Laura Wingfield and junior musical theatre major Cameron Damesworth as Jim O’Connor.
As Grannis takes on the role of Amanda Wingfield, she looks forward to integrating her faith with her performance.
“From the moment I started my freshman year, I was led and introduced to thinking about my theology of making; how my work and my art intersect with my faith,” Grannis said. “I find that it’s essential for me to find Him there and to create in His name because that’s where I feel His presence the most. It's a unique experience to Taylor.”
Caroline Stone, a sophomore theatre arts major and stage manager for The Glass Menagerie, has a unique perspective on the theatre.
As she works behind the scenes, she has the opportunity to observe what sets Taylor apart from other theatre programs.
“Taylor Theatre places a heavy emphasis on the artistry of theater,” Stone said. “Taylor Theatre is not in the business of making stars; they're in the business of making artists.”
The show may not directly uncover the Gospel message through its staging, but this production will be different from other versions because of the Christian undertones that are revealed upon seeing the play, Stone said.
The Taylor Theatre invites students, faculty and friends to attend the show on Sept. 25th-28th in Mitchell Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office in the theatre.
