‘The Glass Menagerie’ is performed flawlessly
Tennessee Williams is probably one of the most difficult American playwrights to fully understand. His elaborate metaphor-filled dialogue has the opportunity of easily being misinterpreted if performed by actors who lack the technique and delivery necessary. “The Glass Menagerie” is no exception, and the Tin Roof Theatre Company proves it has what it takes to properly perform Williams’ work.
It is no secret that the acting in a play is just as important the play itself. There is no doubt that Tin Roof’s cast stand up to task. From NDSU’s own Theatre Arts faculty, Pamela Chabora is playing mother Amanda Wingfield, and NDSU student Mitchell Skajewski is the son, Tom Wingfield. Not the entire cast came from NDSU, Emily Jorgenson, a senior at Shanley High School plays the role of Laura Wingfield nearly flawlessly.
Chabora was invited to act in “The Glass Menagerie” as a guest actor.
“Tin Roof Theatre called me after they had seen my one woman production last year of the ‘Belle Of Amherst’ where I portray Emily Dickinson, at the Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre,” Chabora said. “They suspected I would be perfect for the role and it has been an honor.”
The play takes place in St. Louis in 1937 and focuses on the memories of Tom, the narrator. As an aspiring poet, Tom works at the local shoe factory to support his mother and sister after his father leaves them. The play follows the family through the trials and tribulations that surround the family as Tom tries to escape from the life he lives and as Amanda tries to find a proper gentleman caller for her daughter Laura.
“The best part of being in this production was working opposite my acting student, Mitchell Lee Skajewski as my son, Tom,” Chabora said. “He is a phenomenal actor and we have a fabulous chemistry on stage. We never know what is going to happen each night...and it is an amazing roller-coaster ride.”
This is one play that cannot be missed by those who enjoy the classic works of Tennessee Williams. As Amanda Wingfield says in the play, “the future becomes the present, the present becomes the past, and the past turns into everlasting regret if you don’t plan for it.” Plan to see this play before it is gone.
Theatergoers have the opportunity to see this show tonight and tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. The show will also play at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 4.