The Glass Menagerie

 

  

  

Frank Jimenez & Hannah Brannau

The Arden Theatre, located at 40 N.2^nd Street, Old City Philadelphia, is presenting Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie on its F. Otto Haas main stage through November 6, 2022. Sean Lally is Tom Wingfield, both the narrator of the tale and a character within it. As narrator he does an excellent job of keeping the story moving. He has been tasked with supporting his family since his father walked out and is unappreciated by his mother. Krista Apple portrays Amanda Wingfield, his long-suffering mother. Both she and her daughter, Laura, beautifully portrayed by Hannah Brannau, live in fantasy worlds although they are not the same ones. Amanda  thinks that Laura will have several “Gentleman Callers” that will whisk her away from her humdrum existence and rescue her. Laura , who is physically handicapped, does not expect any Gentleman Callers and instead lives in a fantasy world playing with her Glass Menagerie animals. Amanda is the mother you will love to hate. She disparages Tom at every turn and never fails to express unrealistic expectations for Laura . When Tom brings a Gentleman Caller (Frank  Jimenez) to dinner, family dynamics change for a short while. The final scene is gut wrenching and  extraordinarily powerful in its simplicity. This is an excellent ensemble cast. The show should not be missed. For more information or tickets, visit www.ardentheatre.com.