The Glass Menagerie

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 8:57pm

So, this is one of my favorite American plays of all time, and next year I'll be directing a production of it. I was wondering what your general thoughts are on productions you've seen - what worked? What didn't? What should I look out for? What was wrong with the 2005 Jessica Lange revival?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/19/09 at 10:28pm

"What was wrong with the 2005 Jessica Lange revival?"

Jessica Lange, Christian Slater, Josh Lucas, and Sarah Paulson. But more than that it was David Leveaux trying to remake a classic into experimental theater.

The most important thing to remember is that these are real people. It's very easy for the actress playing Amanda to slip into caricature. Don't let her do it.

Don't let the show become maudlin. Don't let the moodiness of the play overshadow the reality of the piece. It's a drama, not a soap opera. Play the comic bits and the high moments for all they are worth. By doing that, the ending will really pack a punch.

Forget about the projections in the script. I've never seen a production where they added value.

[scaryclowns2232]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 12:58am

For me- Tom has to really be able to sound poetic without sounding a) pathetic, b) goofy, or c) like a complete douchebag. Really focus on Tom's narration- it frames the story, and if it doesn't work, the show might come off hokey.

[Pianolin717]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 1:12am

I saw Jessica Lange in this when it transferred to London and I am pretty sure the rest of the cast was English. I personally loved them all except for the guy who played Tom. But you really need to get to the core emotional problems of Amanda. Without a strong Amanda, you have nothing, imo.

[Tom1071]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 9:16am

My favorite play ever...

Tom was and still is my dream role. I'm afraid I am getting a little long in the tooth for it now.
Updated On: 5/20/09 at 09:16 AM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:01am

If I had been a drama teacher I would have sent my class to the Jessica Lange "Glass Menagerie". Their assignment would be to decide when for them the production failed.

For me it failed when Amanda first entered and her clothes were new and tailored and her hair freshly marcelled. This for a woman who is poorer than poor. The production just went down hill from there.

I actually though Josh Lucas was okay as Jim because he was in a different show than the other three.

This production set the bar very high for a misbegotten production of an American classic. Deadly.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:04am

Not to mention the fact that Tom shouldn't have "those" feelings for Laura.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 10:20am

Not to mention the fact that Tom shouldn't have "those" feelings for Laura.

I agree and that never actually crossed my mind either...but there should be no hints of incest at all.

What type of stage will you have? This works really good in a small intimate space.

IMO, the last page of the play can be tricky. If the Tom is not COMPLETELY committed to his text the lines of "blow out your candles Laura" can sound so cheesy and fake...and then the play is over. Making the final moment of the play not what you intended at all.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 11:00am

It will be in a small, intimate space. I have several good ideas for the production. For one, in examining Tennessee William's life and the circumstances in which he wrote "Menagerie", I have learned a lot about how Tom really is. The idea of incest is ridiculous - my theory is that Tom is actually a closet homosexual himself. I'm not going to have him flitting around with a limp wrist, but I'm trying to find ways to hit at it.

Whenever he isn't in the scene, Tom will be sitting on the visible fire escape, watching the proceedings. I'm not using the "screen legends", but I'll be hewing closely to some of Williams' suggested lighting cues.

I'm working on ways to utilize the music cues, which are very, very important to the story. I'm probably springing for the CD that Dramatist's Play Service offers.

Updated On: 5/20/09 at 11:00 AM

[Gothampc]

Posted: 5/20/09 at 11:02am

One of the beautiful things about this play is how Act 1 ends on a high note. Many plays end Act 1 with conflict to give you a reason to come back for Act 2. But this play ends Act 1 without conflict and the audience could almost leave having felt they saw a beautiful play.