Glass Menagerie Opening Weekend!



photo by Tucker Hollingsworth



The Jungle has just opened The Glass Menagerie, featuring the one and only Wendy Lehr. Wendy and I have known each another for almost 50 years, sharing the spotlight in countless productions. Working with her is now and always has been so much fun. Those of you who go back a few years will remember us in The Old Kieg Of Malfi at Children’s Theatre Company and, of course, in that legendary production of Cinderella (with me as the Ugly Stepmother and Wendy as my daughter Pearl). More recently we played in The House Of Blue Leaves here at the Jungle along with last year’s The Gin Game.

The trust that we have built over the years allows things to grow and bloom with such assurance and confidence. I always give opening night flowers and little gifts to the actors and stagehands and I found a truly delightful stuffed monkey (at Roger Beck Florists, who always contributes gorgeous flowers for the lobby on opening weekend).  I knew she would like it (along with the blue flower and box of chocolates). The monkey delighted her to no end and it will probably live in her dressing room throughout the run!

Wendy gives a sensational performance as Amanda Wingfield. She brings an empathetic and compassionate hilarity to the role and she imbues the famous jonquil monologue at the top of the second act with a lyricism that is pure, vintage Tennessee Williams, laced with flights of romantic fancy that never fail to entrance and delight me. Wendy (when she has her wig and make-up and costume on) looks exactly the way I imagine Amanda Wingfield would look. Amanda is probably 55 years old who and has lived her life in poverty, in the tenements and under great duress. She should look careworn, burdened by life, although resilient. When a younger actress plays the character, I don’t think you get the real Amanda.

photo by Tucker Hollingsworth

Opening weekend went smoothly, with appreciative audiences on both Friday and Saturday nights. The opening night party in the lobby after the show was so much fun: actors mingling with the audience, great food by Eric (of the box office): shrimp, cheese, pineapple upside-down-cake, wine and beer. There’s nothing like the energy of opening weekend, celebrating with actors and designers (like sound designer extraordinaire Sean Healey and lighting designer Barry Browning). Try it; you’ll like it!