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The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
Directed by Yesen Peyankov
At Steppenwolf Theatre for Young Adults
1650 N. Halsted
Chicago, IL
Call 312-335-1650, www.steppenwolf.org
Tickets $20
Public performances: Nov. 1-2, 8-9 at 11am
(Weekday shows for school groups)
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through November 9, 2008
Uniquely moving production true to Williams’ memory
Steppenwolf for Young Adults are daytime productions tailored for junior high and high school students. They are terrific productions that feature classic stories that come alive on stage. These productions introduce the dynamics of live stage to young adults. This is important to the future of theatre. Kudos to Steppenwolf for these productions.
Their latest production is Tennessee Williams’ classic memory play “The Glass Menagerie” that still resonates true today as “an effort to explore the beauty and meaning in the confusion of living.” (A Tennessee Williams quote). Director Yasen Payankov has boldly cast the show completely with African-American actors. This worked to enhance the universality of Williams’ delicately truthful memory play. “The Glass Menagerie” centers on the Wingfield family in late 1930’s St. Louis: Tom (James T. Alfred), an aspiring poet who spends his days working in a warehouse, is eager to start out on his own life’s journey. His overbearing mother, Amanda (Shanesia Davis), who yearns for the glamour of the past and his incredibly shy sister, Laura (Nambi E. Kelley) who dreams of a brighter future and a happiness that seems just out of reach, are dependent on Tom for their sustenance. We witness Tom remembers his suffocating family.
This production features honest and deeply emotional performances from the cast. Aldred’s Tom contains the yearning to be free and discover the world’s adventures. Davis deftly presents a woman clinging to a past world that she can not escape. Kelley effectively plays Laura as the frightened soul. Anthony Fleming II’s take on The Gentleman Caller contains his gentleness as well as his vanity. The high school audience at the opening performance loudly cheered the production—it sure did resonate with contemporary teens. This production respects Williams’ work.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2008
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