Theatre Fairfield's 2011-2012 season finale: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams | Press Releases

April 25-29, 2012
Wien Black Box Experimental Theatre
Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts

For the final production of its 2011-2012 season, Theatre Fairfield, the resident production company of Fairfield University, presents one of the most iconic plays in the history of American theatre, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. Performance times are: 8 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, April 25-27 ; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 ; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 . A number of post-performance events will also take place. Tickets are $12 general admission, $6 seniors and University staff, and $5 students. Performances take place in the Wien Blackbox Experimental Theatre , in Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. For information, call the Quick Center Box Office at: (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.

Tennessee Williams (1911-1983) is considered one of our greatest playwrights, and The Glass Menagerie , along with Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire and Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman are general listed in the top three or four of the greatest American plays. Serious and humorous, the work is a loving exploration of relationships that examines how families both nurture and destroy one another. The Glass Menagerie contains dialogue that speaks as loudly now as it did when it was first produced in 1944. The playis especially pertinent to young adults since three of the four characters are in their early 20's and are confronting the same issues and life choices as today's youth.

The Glass Menagerie is directed by Dr. Martha S. LoMonaco, Fairfield University's Professor of Theatre and American Studies, and features a student cast that consists of Michael Maio '13 (Tom Wingfield), Casey Grambo '12 (Amanda Wingfield), Nancy Laskowski '12 (Laura Wingfield), and Gregory Jensen '12 (Jim O'Connor - The Gentleman Caller), and a student-faculty production team that includes scenic and lighting designer Karl Ruling, costume designer Julie Leavitt, musical director and composer Lance Boos M.A. in American Studies '11, stage manager Pamela Perrimon '12, and assistant stage manager Kelan McDonnell '15.

"It has been such an exciting opportunity to reimagine this classic for a contemporary audience and discover the many ways these characters can resonate with people today," said Dr. LoMonaco. "'The Glass Menagerie' is a classic family play that is relevant to the entire community. We all come from families with distinct personalities and can identify with these characters and their struggles."

Post performance events include: On Thursday, April 26 , following the performance, a Faculty/Guest Talk-Back session moderated by Fairfield University's Dr. Emily Orlando and featuring Profs. Richard DeWitt, Robert Epstein, and Richard Regan, and DiMenna-Nyselius Research Librarian and Actor, Elise Bochinski. On Friday April 27, following the performance, there will a discussion with members and faculty of the American Studies program. Recent graduate Lance Boos will be speaking about the process of writing a musical score for Tennessee Williams. He is joined by American Studies Faculty Profs. Peter Bayers, Leo O'Connor, and Elizabeth Petrino. On Saturday, April 28, at 11 p.m., "The Paradise Dance Hall Cabaret!"takes place at the PepsiCo Theatre on the campus of Fairfield University and features an evening of live cabaret music performed by members of Theatre Fairfield.

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit http://www.fairfield.edu/quick .