The Glass Menagerie

I have spoken of my high school English teachers who have had quite an impact on my love of theater and my taste in shows and playwrights. Mrs. Max and Mr. Donlon both had their students read and act out the work of Tennessee Williams. Mrs. Max in particular was a big fan and even performed in one of his plays with Mr. Williams in the audience! So I was very much looking forward to seeing "The Glass Menagerie" on Broadway. It's a beautiful play and I'd never seen a staged production of it.

Mom, Valerie and I bought tickets at the TKTS booth and off we went. The show had only started in previews a couple of days earlier. And there is some backstage drama going on with this production. The actor originally cast to play Tom, Dallas Roberts, was let go very shortly before previews began. It was announced that Christian Slater was being brought in to replace him. My guess is they wanted another name to drive ticket sales besides the brilliant Jessica Lange (as Amanda.) Poor Dallas Roberts' picture and name were still on the marquee.

Until Christian Slater begins performances, the standby for Tom is going on in the role - Joey Collins. What a shame he doesn't get to keep the role! He was the true standout in the show, often stealing scenes from Jessica Lange herself! He was funny, heartbreaking, frustrated and moving all at once. He really took command of the stage.

Jessica Lange was wonderful to see in person, on stage. Although I think her performance was influenced a bit too much by the many times she has played Blanche DuBois in "A Streetcar Named Desire", her Amanda was very effective. The character was irritating, loving, and lonely just as I feel she is written.

Sarah Paulson played the fragile, painfully shy, frightened Laura. Although at times I thought she was a bit monotone and two-dimensional in other scenes the character felt much more fleshed out. It *is* only a week into previews and there's much growing room there. She was really "on" when it mattered most - in her Act 2 scene with gentleman caller Jim, played by Josh Lucas. He was quite good as well though not groundbreaking in anyway. But they had wonderful chemistry. You could feel how sorry Jim was when he lets down Laura as gently as possible. And your heart breaks along with Laura's as she is disappointed by life once again.

It will be interesting to see how the show progresses, especially once Christian Slater joins the cast. The only thing that was distracting was the set. And just one aspect of it - the curtain. The apartment is dictated by a series of lace curtains which is effective but over-used. Some scenes are acted behind it with light showing through. That can be beautiful, sometimes symbolic, but most of the time I wanted to shout - Get out from behind the damn curtain! Plus they were constantly moving it back and forth in place of opening or closing a door. But again - it's previews - changes I'm sure will be made.