By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Jasson Minadakis
Awarded Best Play in 1945 by the New York Drama Critics' Circle and acclaimed as Williams's first great Broadway success, this emotionally devastating portrait of hope is a memory of Saint Louis during the 1930s. Aspiring poet Tom Wingfield reluctantly works in a warehouse to support his overbearing mother and debilitatingly shy sister, Laura. Pushed by his mother, he finds Laura a gentleman caller to try to coax her from her fragile private world. Don't miss this beautifully reimagined modern classic from award-winning director Jasson Minadakis (2010 San Francisco Bay Area Theater Critics Award for Director, Equivocation).
Celebrate the centennial of Tennessee Williams' birth with MTC. We have long had a relationship with the seminal American playwright, not only producing his ubiquitous A Streetcar Named Desire recently, but also posthumously premiering Fugitive Kind and Spring Storm.
Two hours and 15 minutes, including intermission.
"A fitting tribute to Tennessee Williams's life and works timed to coincide with his centennial celebration, Marin Theatre Company's production of "The Glass Menagerie" honors the story, its setting and its inspiration while bringing new creative energy to a classic work... quite the triumph."
"This is a gripping production of an American classic... Because its nostalgia effectively creates a credible setting for Tom in this semi-autobiographical play, Tennessee would have loved for you to see this production."
"It is eerily uncanny how Nicholas Pelczar captures the Tennessee William's personae... Whereas it is universally noted that the play "belongs" to the mother Amanda beginning with Laurette Taylor in the 1940s production to a who's who in the female acting world, Minadakis' direction makes this Tom's play… Pelczar gives a Tony Award winning performance... well worth the trip across the Bay to Mill Valley."
"The cast handles the lush poetry of Williams' language well... The long conversation between Laura and Jim is performed beautifully by [Anna] Bullard and [Craig] Marker... By then you truly feel how delicate Laura's heart is, as fragile as her glass figurines, and should feel as on edge as anyone in her family with concern that with the slightest gesture it may break."
"Riveting, with extraordinary imagery and startling production touches. The acting of this ensemble is so solid that it lifts the wings of the characters' plight and brings audience members to their feet in applause. How fortunate that MTC chose to showcase this American classic as part of the celebration of Williams' 100th birthday."
"In celebration of playwright Tennessee Williams' centennial, the Marin Theatre Company has staged a fresh and provocative new production of The Glass Menagerie... A brilliant stroke in this production is the addition of an above-stage trumpeter (Andrew Wilke) who riffs melancholy phrases throughout the play... Wilke plays a mean and blue trumpet, and his constant presence underlines the intense connections within this family."
"What makes this production excel is... the extraordinary performance of Nicholas Pelczar as Tom Wingfield... Pelczar is so emotionally present in each moment that what's being said almost doesn't matter: You just want to be audience to the experience he creates."
"Powerful and subtle performances highlight the Marin Theatre Company's absorbing depiction of the doomed destiny of the Wingfield family in 1930s St Louis... The actors relate so effortlessly and assuredly with each other that they almost seem to possess ESP, which supercharges the staging."
“Marin Theatre Company's brilliant presentation of Tennessee Williams' “The Glass Menagerie" is a win-win for all. Audiences, whether new to the play or veteran fans of the 1944 work, should rejoice in director Jasson Minadakis' “re-imagined" production... Minadakis' respect for the author shows. As he goes deep into the text to bring out aspects of the play seldom highlighted, he triumphs... affecting and powerful."
"Director Jasson Minadakis definitely puts his own spin on the 1944 classic and gets some marvelous performances from his cast. Minadakis's boldest move is the inclusion of a trumpet player (Andrew Wilke)... The music, composed by Chris Houston, is gorgeous – aching and winsome."
"It says worlds that watching the brilliant new production at Marin Theatre Company, I felt as if I were seeing [THE GLASS MENAGERIE] for the first time and discovered subtleties of thought, language and character I have not noticed before. Director Jasson Minadakis and his team of designers and wonderful ensemble have created something quite thrilling... Overall, this is a remarkably good production. Very highly recommended."