Role(s) – Jim O’Connor
Company/School – New Zenith Theatre
Date(s) – 2002/01
Director – Ed Wierzbicki
Writer – Tennessee Williams
Photo(s) – N/A
Review(s) – N/A
New Zenith Theatre to Present The Glass Menagerie
(Waterbury, CT) – The Theatre Department at Naugatuck Valley Community College will present one of the most famous plays of the modern theatre, “The Glass Menagerie,” by Pulitzer-winning playwright Tennessee Williams. Performed by the department’s New Zenith Theatre, the production runs one weekend only-Thursday, Jan. 31, Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2 at 8 pm. in the Mainstage theatre, 750 Chase Parkway. Reservations are strongly suggested.
A drama of great charm and tenderness, the story focuses on one family’s plight during the late 1930s in St. Louis. Hailed as one of Williams’ masterpieces and based on his own family relationships while growing up, the story centers on Amanda Wingfield, a faded, tragic remnant of Southern gentility, and her attempts to raise her son Tom, and daughter Laura. While Amanda strives to give meaning and direction to their lives, she does it by masking the truth, and conjuring up memories of the past and illusions of hope. Her children fight to escape their day-to-day existence, each in different ways, in order to make life bearable. Ultimately, this “glass-like” world collapses about them.
Under the direction of New Zenith’s Artistic Director Ed Wierzbicki, the play features Harriette Holmes of Cromwell as Amanda Wingfield; Doug Sobon of Naugatuck as Tom Wingfield; Rochelle Carroll of Bethlehem as Laura Wingfield and Gary Ploski of Waterbury as Jim O’Connor, the gentleman caller. The production is designed by NVCC faculty member William Cone, with lighting by Obdulio Plaza, and costumes by Linda Valdes. Original music and sound is composed by Antonio Biello, assistant professor of multimedia/music technology at NVCC and a member of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra.
General admission is $10 and $7 for students and seniors, with special group rates for high school students. The Theatre Department is offering a student special for the Jan. 31 performance. All tickets for students are $5. For tickets or more information please call the box office at 203-596-2145. Tickets also may be purchased prior to each performance. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m.
Production experience
I had no idea who Tennessee Williams was when this show began production. I had no idea who he was after either. A few years later I learned the sordid details. Gosh did I feel silly. This was not an easy going kind of guy.
I remember before the first show Ed saying “Own the space Gary. Own it.” I had thought I was during rehearsal but obviously I wasn’t. Once the curtain was close and I was off stage he gave me a hug and congratulated me. In hind sight I saw his concern in his eyes before I walked out on stage but I also saw his delight in how I played the part.
Most people, I was told, really dislike the gentleman caller. I gave the audience a man that was unhappy with his life and was trying desperately to find a glimmer of what he once knew of as happiness. I think I’d like to do this show again someday now that I’ve lived a touch more and had the business world dropped on me more than I’d asked for.