For Immediate Release: June 16, 2006
Media Contact: Bill Egan, Plays and Players Theater, 609.330.1697

The Torchbearers of Plays & Players Theater are proud to present “The Glass Menagerie,” the American classic by Tennessee Williams, directed by Bill Egan, and starring Suzanne Landgren, Joe Leduc, Kathleen Mulhearn and Conrad Ricamora. “The Glass Menagerie” is one of the most famous plays of modern theater. It is a drama of great tenderness, charm and beauty crafted by one of the greatest playwrights of American theater.

The story is revealed through Tom (Conrad Ricamora) and his memory of an overbearing mother, Amanda (Suzanne Landgren), haunted by an absent father and a crippled sister, Laura (Kathleen Mulhearn), who retreats from the world’s harsh realities to the comfort of caring for her collection of glass animals. That is until the arrival of a gentleman caller, Jim (Joe Leduc), who offers the family a glimmer of hope to escape from their world of regrets and disappointments. Rich in bittersweet nostalgia for what might have been, Williams’ most lyrical and autobiographical play balances compassionate insight with compelling theatrical vitality. “The Glass Menagerie” may be more than sixty years old and set in a bygone world, but its story of people too fragile to deal with the cruel realities of their lives is timeless. Southern belles and gentleman callers have become cultural allusions, but the struggles of single parenthood are all around us, along with relationships capsized because parents try to correct their mistakes and fix their disappointments through their children.

The show premiered at the now gone Playhouse Theater in March 1945. Starring Laurette Taylor, Julie Haydon, Eddie Dowling and Anthony Ross, and directed by Mr. Dowling, the show had an impressive 563-performance run, closing at the Royale Theater in August 1946. Since then, “The Glass Menagerie” has been revived on Broadway five times featuring such actresses as Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, Julie Harris, and most recently, Jessica Lange. The Torchbearers production of "The Glass Menagerie" opens Friday, July 14th at 8pm with shows dates of: Saturday, July 15th at 8pm, Sunday, July 16th at 2pm, Friday July 21st at 8pm, and closes on Saturday, July 22nd at 8pm.

Plays & Players Theater is located at 1714 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA. Tickets are $15 if purchased online at www.playsandplayers.org or $20 if purchased at the door. The Plays & Players box office is open 30 minutes before show time. Reservations can be made by calling 215-735-0630, but will be subject to the door price. Plays & Players members plus one guest attend the show for free. Groups of 15 or more receive a special 10% discount on the ticket price by calling (215) 735-0630 or by e-mailing Linda Gryn at linda@playsandplayers.org.

About Plays and Players Plays and Players is the only non-profit community theater in Center City, Philadelphia, and is one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in America. Having remained open since its first production, Plays & Players has produced theater through world wars and the Depression. Historically, Plays & Players is a gemstone. It was the home of the First Korean Congress in 1919. Housed in the theater are original murals painted by Edith Emerson as well as historical tiles, which decorate the lobby.

Plays & Players is dedicated to enhancing the community’s interest in the arts, providing a free forum for community members to actively participate in theater, and to maintain and oversee the operations of the historically registered playhouse. Visit www.playsandplayers.org, call (215) 735-0630 or e-mail Linda Gryn at linda@playsandplayers.org for information about upcoming productions, auditions, social programs and rental opportunities.

Go to News Releases»