The Glass Menagerie is playing currently at the Arden Theatre. Based on the play by Tennessee Williams. We find a family that is struggling since the Father has abandoned them. From the abandonment we see a lot unfold from the Mother, Amanda Wingfield’s love and some would argue disdain for her children and their wellbeing. Life takes a turn when a gentleman caller by the name of Jim O’Connor comes to the house for dinner.
Holding on Too Tight
I have seen this production before. However the way Arden Theater brought this play to life is like no other. From the opening scene the audience becomes apart of the play instead of simply spectators. Tom Wingfield is the son of Amanda and the brother of Laura Wingfield. Before the scene gets started we see how Amanda’s strong hold over Tom is tight. She is directing him how to eat, how to do just about everything. It’s almost like it can show up in today’s society when a Mother is raising children alone. Amanda has made her children her world. She is missing the life she could have had and talks openly in her disappointment of the life she has now.
There’s no way Tom will live up to her standards. Amanda has made him the head of the house and relies on him in my opinion for stability. Tom has no way of leaving to start his own until Amanda, his mother finds a way to make sure that Laura is secured. I saw the pain in her eyes as she goes on and on about how Laura should most definitely be engulfed in gentleman callers. Marriage is a way to a better life. Mariage is the true stability and the way fortune attained.
Glass Menagerie
Oh the subtle hints of what the meaning behind the Glass Menagerie. Laura was supposed to be taking business classes. Her mother, Amanda finds out that Laura has been lying and going as far as leaving the house to look as if she’s in class even when she wasn’t. Young women need to have some sort of degree or training beyond High School to move in the world. However now Laura’s only move to further herself is to marry. Laura is disabled. She struggles with walking after a brief illness. Laura is fragile just like the glass animals she spends her time with. Her self worth has been shattered. She’s so shy that simply interacting with others makes her sick. So will she do when Tom brings his friend Jim O’Connor to dinner?
Is Jim Engaged?
Honestly the play eludes to his engagement but a part of me wonders if he really was. I felt that Jim could have sensed that Amanda who did everything but be direct about setting him up with Laura scare him off. Jim knew of Laura from school. He was fully aware of her disability. He chooses to encourage her to find her voice. There is chemistry between the two but unfortunately not enough for him to stay.
Amanda loses it after she blames Tom for not knowing Jim is engaged. This is even more reason that I think he’s not. If Jim and Tom are best friends how does he not know that Jim is engaged. Amands lets him have it. He already sabotaged the electric bill and wasn’t forthcoming. What now for Laura. The evening takes a turn and Tom leaves. This story is loosely based on real or memory of what the author, Tennessee Williams remembers of his own life.
Arden Theater provided the most amazing stage. The seating again allows you to be apart of the production and not a spectator. Also the actors and actresses played their parts so well. I watched in front of me as an older couple texted each other or used their note app to ask if they thought Laura played by Hannah Brannau is really crippled. To be honest she definitely was convincing.
Hope in Glass Menagerie
Hope is a major theme in The Glass Menagerie. From the hope that Laura will save her and her mom by having a husband who will lover her to Tom hoping to finally do something for himself. Will he be like his dad who used to work for the telephone company and fell in love with long distance? The hope of wanting more even when the cards dealt didn’t align. The Glass Menagerie is a must see. The only regret that I have was not bringing my oldest. The play in my opinion is suitable for ages 13 and up.
Thank you to the staff, actors, and actresses of The Glass Menagerie as well as Bryan Buttler of Bryan Buttler Media for having me. Also do not forget that concessions are back. Get your tickets as the production ends on November 6th.
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