Veteran New York actress charms in American classic
Known for his poetic style and psychological realism, Tennessee Williams remains one of the greatest playwrights in the history of theater. His beautiful drama about a family grappling with a changing world, The Glass Menagerie, is an icon in American culture.
Amanda (Wendy Barrie-Wilson, AEA) pines for her passing glory with her daughter Laura (Lilia Vassileva) in the Brown County Playhouse production of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie."
The Brown County Playhouse offers the opportunity to experience The Glass Menagerie, the third show of its 59th season, in the heart of Nashville, Ind. The play, directed by producer Jonathan Michaelsen and featuring guest actress Wendy Barrie-Wilson, opens Aug. 3 and runs through Aug. 19.
The Glass Menagerie tells the story of the Wingfield family: the faded southern belle mother Amanda, her frustrated poetic son Tom, and Laura, the disabled daughter that seems as fragile as the glass figurines she loves. First produced in the waning months of World War II, the story depicts the family's internal struggle with the despair of deep poverty and longing for a prosperous past.
Actress Wendy Barrie-Wilson (Amanda) recently completed a run with the European premiere of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize winning play Doubt. She has worked with Paul Newman in Our Town on Broadway and Christopher Walken in A Streetcar Named Desire at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Joining her are Brown County Playhouse newcomers; graduate students Lilia Vassileva (Laura) and John Maness (Tom), and senior Michael Borgmann (The Gentleman Caller).
Tom, who serves as narrator, tells the audience, "I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion…The play is memory." This illusion of memory depends greatly on the design elements of the production. Lighting designer Marie Shakespeare has designed extensively for Brown County Playhouse; including last season's The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged). Her work as a freelance architectural lighting designer can also be seen at Argentum Jewelers and Lennie's Restaurant in Bloomington.
Jim, the gentleman caller (Michael Borgmann) tries to dance with Laura (Lilia Vassileva) in the Brown County Playhouse production of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie."
Costume designer Yuri Cataldo, an IU graduate and current Yale School of Drama M.F.A. student, has worked for Santa Fe Opera Company as well as other theatres in New York. Working in cooperation with Scenic Designer Tim Borden are Dick, James and John Lawrence of Lawrence Family Glassblowers, based in Nashville, Ind. The Lawrence family is graciously hand-blowing all the figurines for Laura's eponymous glass menagerie.
The Glass Menagerie plays Aug. 3-4, 9-11, 15-18, at 8 p.m. and Aug. 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 3 p.m. at the Brown County Playhouse in the heart of historic Nashville, Ind. Ticket prices are: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday matinees and Sunday: $18 ($11 for age 25 and younger); Friday and Saturday evenings: $20 ($12 for age 25 and younger).
Tickets are available in person at the Brown County Playhouse box office or the IU Auditorium box office, by phone through Ticketmaster at 812-333-9955, at Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Visit www.theatre.indiana.edu for more detailed information.
For more information, please contact the IU Auditorium at 812-855-1103 or the Brown County Playhouse box office at 812-988-2123.
Share the centennial celebration of the Art Colony in Nashville; for details, visit the Brown County Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.browncounty.com.
