The Glass Menagerie at Diversionary Theatre
If I were scheduling a play for a theater to do at Christmastime, it probably wouldn’t be “The Glass Menagerie,” Tennessee Williams’ sad paean to loneliness and desire. But Diversionary Theatre is known for unusual programming.
Their brilliant production of “Menagerie” opened last night to what I am pretty sure was unanimous approval, not to mention universal depression. It runs through December 23.
You remember the 1944 play. It’s difficult to watch – and to get out of your mind once you’ve left the theater. But it’s also a great play, and Diversionary found the right cast and director to do it justice.
Director Lisa Berger takes the four actors – Shana Wride as mama Amanda Wingfield, Luke Harvey Jacobs as her son Tom, Julia Belanova as Tom’s shy sister Laura and Kirk Brown as Laura’s late-arriving “gentleman caller” Jim O’Connor – and brings out the best performance in each to keep the audience fascinated.
Wride’s Amanda is brilliant, living amusingly but wrongly in the past as what she once was: a Southern belle who had (or at least says she had) loads of “gentlemen callers.” Now she wants to find some gentlemen callers for daughter Laura, who isn’t a bit like her mother. Laura is terribly shy, has a limp and is more interested in her collection of small glass animals than in the male of the human species.
This setup leaves Tom in a bit of an awkward situation as well. He’s willing to help, but wants to escape – from his mother, his boring warehouse job and an environment too restrictive for his taste. He dreams of geographical escape.
When Tom announces that he’s bringing a co-worker named Jim O’Connor home to meet Laura, we can almost guess what will (or won’t) happen.
Known as the “mother of queer classics,” “The Glass Menagerie” introduces Tennessee Williams to the world as the young gay playwright asks us to consider the cost of personal freedom.
This Diversionary cast is excellent. So is the production team, especially dramaturg Jesse Marchese, costumer Katie Paulson, set designer Michael Wogulis and lighting designer Vida Huang.
This show is not a “deck the halls” Christmas favorite, but it’s a terrific show and not to be missed.
The details
“The Glass Menagerie” plays through December 23 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Boulevard in University Heights.
Shows Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Industry Night is Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.
For tickets: diversionary.org or (619) 220-0097
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