THE GLASS MENAGERIE Previews (2017 Revival)

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/6/17 at 8:15pm

Previews for the seventh Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie begin tomorrow night (Tuesday, February 7, 2017) at the Belasco Theatre, starring Sally Field, Joe Mantello, Madison Ferris, and Finn Wittrock. The production is set to officially open on March 9 for a limited run through July 2.

Who's going?!

Updated On: 2/6/17 at 08:15 PM

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 2/6/17 at 10:26pm

I'll be there on the 18th! Very curious about this one, especially as I'm (shamefully) not very familiar with the play. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 2/6/17 at 10:27pm

I'm curious to hear what fans of John Tiffany's production will think of this.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 2/6/17 at 10:42pm

A friend is at final dress tonight. Very curious for thoughts. 

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/6/17 at 10:46pm

I was in the minority on the last Glass Menagerie. I couldn't wait to see it and was disappointed with Ms. Jones, who I love in everything, the black pools of water on the set and Laura entering through the sofa. Also, I remember one figure of glass on a table, didn't look like a menagerie to me. Did like Mr. Quinto. So, I'm looking forward to this production next week.

My problem is that I adore the Katherine Hepburn TV version years ago. I shouldn't but do hold all other productions up to that. That being said, I did like the unearthed Shirley Booth version showed recently. 

[Debbie77]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:09am

Going on Monday, Feb 13th.

[bunnie3]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:13am

Hi everybody! Some of you may know that I usher on Bway.  So I just got back home from working the dress rehearsal. While I usually never comment on a show u ntil about 6 wks in, I will make a brief comment here .  Number 1: I am an avowed Tennessee Williams NUT!! Number 2:   The audience was mostly young people, a lot of aspiring actors and you could hear a pin drop.  I thought the minimalism worked remarkably!, was a very, very different production from the myriads I have seen.  The LANGUAGE and POETRy are everything here.  Don t want to say much more .  About 2 hrs, 5 minutes, no intermission, no late seating. Enjoy.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:53am

Any word on a rush/lotto? I have tomorrow off and would love to see this. Love me some Sam Gold. 

[bunnie3]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 1:05am

I won t know until I go back tomorrow night.  Will let you know....there also no matiness this wk, and no Sunday.

[djoko84]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 6:28am

I think there are only LincTix for this. I had to cancel mine for Thursday because it's supposed to snow. It was on TDF so I'm hoping it will show up again so I can buy them. If not, I'm going to try for LinTix again.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 8:14am

$30 front row rush tickets, during previews only. Of course, if the show doesn't open to rapturous reviews (or isn't a sellout), that can always change.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rush-Ticket-Policy-Announced-for-THE-GLASS-MENAGERIE-Beginning-Tonight-20170207

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 8:24am

I'll be there Thursday. Love the play but wasn't completely bowled over by the last production (performances aside.) I'm really excited to see how Sam Gold handles the material.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 8:29am

I'm going tomorrow night. And I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who felt the Tiffany production was overpraised. 

[disneybroadwayfan22]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 9:05am

AC126748 said: "$30 front row rush tickets, during previews only. Of course, if the show doesn't open to rapturous reviews (or isn't a sellout), that can always change.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Rush-Ticket-Policy-Announced-for-THE-GLASS-MENAGERIE-Beginning-Tonight-20170207

 

"

Yes! I'm coming to NYC in March and since I auditioned for this production, I really want to see it :) Gotta wait until MS announce their rush.

 

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 9:10am

" Also, I remember one figure of glass on a table, didn't look like a menagerie to me. "

That. was. the. point.

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 10:01am

Well, now that there's a reasonable rush price, I might just do that. Williams is my favorite playwright and I am eager to see this on stage, as I wasn't able to see the last production. I have high hopes. I might drop by the box office today, but since it's a first preview the rush tickets may be gone before I am able to get there. I just hope I have better luck than with the ill-fated St. Anne's production of "Streetcar", my favorite play in one of my least favorite stagings (and casting). If this production of "Menagerie" is all about the poetry, I'm all for it. In William's writing, to forget the poetry is to forget the heart of the piece. And it makes the atrocious things that occur in his plays all the more horrifying. I'll never forget the first time I heard Catherine's monologue from "Suddenly Last Summer" aloud. That entire play is basically an extended poem, but that piece is so stunning in its construction and imagery it would never have the same effect if acted in a stark naturalistic style.

[EthelMae]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 11:35am

neonlightsxo: I just discussed this point with my partner, who didn't see this production, and he agreed with you about the single piece of glass. I guess I missed it. He theorized that the glass menagerie referred to the characters in the play. Thanks for shining a different light on it.

[bunnie3]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 11:52am

Just a note from me concerning this "bare bones" production.....there IS a reason behind it, and if you just let it waft into your consciousness, it will emotionally surprise you by 10 pm .  if you 're expecting lush production values such as scenery, costumes, etc, this may NOT be for you.  I don t want to give any spoilers, but for me, the direction was inspired, in a sort of of xtra low key way.

[HighFlyingAdored97]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:11pm

I just stopped by the box office at 11:30, my rush seat is BB 105 in the orchestra. The Glass Menagerie is one of my favorites so I'm really excited. I loved the Tiffany production so it'll be interesting to compare the two.

[Ado Annie D'Ysquith]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:11pm

I can't wait to hear reviews for Sally Field. I'm only familiar with her work on film.

If they ever do a major revival of Steel Magnolias, can she reprise M'Lynn? She gave the best performance in that adaptation, I think!

[LxGstv]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:17pm

HighFlyingAdored97 said: "I just stopped by the box office at 11:30, my rush seat is BB 105 in the orchestra. The Glass Menagerie is one of my favorites so I'm really excited. I loved the Tiffany production so it'll be interesting to compare the two.

 

"

 

$30 rush for front row, that's really good, I wonder how high the stage will be... Please do share reports after!

I'm regretting using audience rewards points on this show now!

 

[Sally Durant Plummer]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:18pm

Well, I have the weather to thank, because there were still plenty of rush tickets available around 11:15 today. For anyone interested, my seat is AA 104 in the orchestra. I think it's the front row, but it doesn't say partial view on the ticket nor did the box office tell me it was. I'll get back on the seat tonight.

bunnie, I'll keep that in mind. I think it might be an inspired idea to really let Williams' impeccable prose take center stage. I've recently come to realize that many of my friends don't like this piece - they say that "nothing actually happens" (as a side note, they dislike Chekhov for the same reason). I remember when I first read this piece how devastated I was by Jim's callous treatment of Laura, and, even though I've never seen a full production, how striking the final tableau was. I read "Streetcar" right afterwards, and I've been a Williams devotee ever since (I even enjoy "The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore", so make of that as you will). I really am wishing the best to this production.

And Ethel, Laura metaphorically is the glass menagerie, specifically the unicorn. And Jim shatters her by not being forthright about his engagement. Williams has a penchant for metaphoric titles ("Cat On a Hot Tin Roof", "A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Eccentricities of a Nightingale", "Orpheus Descending, ect.)

Updated On: 2/8/17 at 12:18 PM

[little_sally]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:18pm

Every show is different but I remember sitting front row for Golden Boy. The stage wasn't very high.

[JayG 2]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 12:52pm

Ethelmae, I love the play, but it could be a bore in the wrong hands and totally hear you regarding the Tiffany production. A huge disappointment. Hated the PeeWee Playhouse couch with people appearing and disappearing through pillows. Just goofy. The ending had no heart. I know the ending, of course, but if it is done well, I'm reduced to tears. This production? I felt nothing. Also agree about the Katherine Hepburn, Sam Waterston, Michael Moriarty television special. IMHO it has not been topped in my many years of theatregoing.

PS  I have similar feelings about Our Town. This could be deadly dull, but the Lincoln Center production with Spalding Gray, Eric Stolz and (I saw) Helen Hunt, was definitive. All else pales, and with all due respect to the great Paul Newman, that revival was another where I felt nothing. Poorly cast George and Emily will do that.

 

[BakerWilliams]

Posted: 2/7/17 at 1:29pm

Count me among those who didn't like Tiffany's version. Hopefully this will be an improvement, though the play loses a lot when performed to an audience of more than 100 people.