Ann Arbor, MI – Sixty-eight years after its premiere, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams has withstood the tides of change and is sweeping Performance Network Theatre into its 2012-2013 Great American Theatre Season with preview performances September 27 – October 4 and an opening champagne reception on October 5 followed by performances through October 28.
Performance Network’s Associate Artistic Director, Carla Milarch, returns to the stage after her five-year hiatus from acting. “Returning to the Artistic side of PNT and getting back on stage has been a five-year dream of mine, and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s helped make that happen. Five years is a long-time for an actress to be off the boards so doing Amanda has come with its fair share of questions for me, but luckily our director, Tim Rhoze and the whole cast have made it just like riding a bike. I’m very excited to be returning with a Tennessee Williams role as well, after tackling Blanche in Streetcar Named Desire ten years ago (can it have been that long?) I’m having an absolute blast,” said Milarch.
Milarch is a part of the noteworthy ensemble of The Glass Menagerie along with Tim Rhoze and Kevin Young. Rhoze, the director, is an Associate Artist of Performance Network Theatre and is thrilled to dedicate his talents to his fifth year with the theatre. Rhoze, with an impressive film background (Grey’s Anatomy, In Good Company, Friends, Becker, 24, The Dilemma, and Fraiser), has also directed PNT favorites, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Piano Lesson, Fences and K2. Guided under Rhoze’s direction the technical artists are culminating a visually abstract production of the version of The Glass Menagerie that Williams preferred (there are several different versions of the script).
Kevin Young was a significant asset to Performance Network’s record breaking 2011-2012 season. Young starred as the protégé of Mark Rothko in Red and as Larry in Lanford Wilson’s Burn This. “He’s a wonderful collaborator. We share a kindred artist spirit,” said Rhoze. Young plays the role of Tom in The Glass Menagerie, who is often referenced as the character Williams uses as a personal reflection of himself.
Set in 1937 St. Louis, this wistfully poetic memory play is regarded by many as Williams’ most personal story, and his greatest masterpiece. Faded Southern Belle Amanda Wingfield will stop at nothing to find a husband for her painfully shy daughter, Laura, still living at home with her brother, Tom, a would-be writer working in a shoe factory. When Amanda enlists Tom’s help in bringing home a “gentleman caller” from the factory, the family’s dreams hang in the balance as they struggle to escape the hopelessness of their world.
Performance Network’s Great American Theatre Season poignantly references a range of productions rooted in American culture and storytelling. The Glass Menagerie is often referred to as Williams’ greatest masterpiece and is a staple in American literature. Performance Network’s production of this classic will engage, inspire, and challenges audiences who choose to join the talented ensemble.
On October 26, Performance Network Theatre will host a benefit performance of The Glasss Menagerie. Tickets are $50 and extra revenue will be dedicated to The Children’s Theatre Network which kicks off its Saturday Series the very next day with Wolverine Will - a show about Michigan history, written by Carla Milarch!
120 East Huron, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 • www.performancenetwork.org (734) 663-0696 - business • (734) 663-0681 - box office
Tickets can be ordered at the Performance Network Box Office at 734-663-0681, online at www.performancenetwork.org or at Performance Network Theatre (120 East Huron St., Ann Arbor, 48104) Monday-Saturday 11-6 or one hour before a performance. Tickets are $22 - $41, with discounts available for seniors, members, students and groups. There is a pay-what-you-can performance on August 2 (with a suggested donation of $15).