by Shirley Lorraine
Glass Menagerie Classic Endures
Some writings stand the test of time by tackling ongoing themes of life that do not seem to change significantly from era to era. Such a play is The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Now on stage at the Conejo Players Theater, the emotional strength of this classic play clearly translates to any time or situation.
Set in 1944, the character Tom (Tanner Redman) narrates this story of his recollections of circumstances within his family. His mother, Amanda Wingfield (Dana Marley-Kolb) , harbors many resentments that manifest in her emotional treatment of son Tom and daughter Laura (Timorah Brown). Tom is the family breadwinner, enduring a factory job that he dislikes. Laura lives in a world of her own, impaired by a childhood illness that left her with a limp and debilitating shyness. Instead of leaving the house, she creates her own idyll with her menagerie of glass figurines.
Tom’s dreams of striking out on his own are hampered by his guilt at wanting to leave the ladies to fend for themselves. Amanda tries desperately to encourage Laura to expand her world by bringing up her own memories of days gone by. As a unit, they are all dysfunctional, deluded and emotionally wounded.
Amanda asks Tom to find a “gentleman caller” to spark Laura. He does so, asking a co-worker Jim O’Connor (Rayve Tay) to come to dinner, not knowing that Laura pined over Jim in high school. Amanda is ecstatic at what she considers to be a matchmaking opportunity, putting all her Southern charm to work in her attempts. Despite her high hopes however, the evening is a failure, and despair once again enfolds the meager apartment.
Director Elena Mills has assembled a quite capable cast to bring this classic to life. The setting is impeccable, employing clever scrims to highlight certain memories. All four of the actors are excellent in their roles. Pacing is rapid and dialogue is crisp. The tone of frustration, anger and impatience bubbles to the surface throughout. Even the gentleman caller, who is often seen as the most empathetic character in his gentle approach to Laura’s shy demeanor, is played with an abundance of bravado that kept the anxiety level high.
The play is reportedly autobiographical of Williams’ own life, at least in many areas. The author’s emotional pain is clearly felt, with easily identifiable themes that are as pertinent today as they were decades ago. Some things don’t change – our desire to have more than we do, to be happier than we are, and to have our dreams of what we consider a better life fulfilled.
The play offers a stark reminder that our successes and failures are within our control, and our control alone. We bring to the table what we have, and it is up to us to reshape it into what we desire.
The Glass Menagerie continues through September 14. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, Saturday Sept. 7 and 14 offer 2 pm performances. (805) 495-3715, www.conejoplayers.org/upcoming-shows.
