The newest Driftwood Players of Aberdeen production, opening this Saturday, is very much a family affair, an examination of the complexities of one family and the first commercially successful play by one of America’s greatest playwrights.
“The Glass Menagerie,” by Tennessee Williams, follows the story of Amanda Wingfield, a mother pushing her grown children to pursue certain paths in their lives, such as her daughter finding a husband, and inadvertently creating chaos around her. The director, Debbie Scoones, said this all-ages play is a drama, but includes some laugh-out-loud comedic elements that come from the tension between mother and children.
“I’ve seen this show from many different vantage points and most focus on Amanda being a narcissist,” she said. “To me, it’s just a family who loves each other. Amanda has raised these children through the Great Depression. She is a scrapper and trying to do the best for her children.”
There are four characters in this play; Amanda, her children, Tom and Laura, and a gentleman caller named Jim O’Connor. The actors are being encouraged to convey more than anger in Scoones’ rendition of a beloved play.
“I think I’m blessed to have four very talented actors in this show. They each bring a unique quality to this stage and I love it,” she said.
Scoones wants Harborites to walk away from this production appreciating the talent Williams showcases in all of his plays, she said. In fact, this show was especially personal to Williams because it is semi-autobiographical. He was raised by a single mother who at times could be overbearing along with his sister Rose. After a botched lobotomy left the sister in their care, Williams used this play loosely based on his life to help pay her medical bills, Scoones said. Williams wrote much of himself in the introspective writer Tom, which shows in the artful way the play is introduced.
“I want people to experience his words. There is so much poetry in the way the prologue is written, alone,” she said. “This is going to be a great family show.”
Ticket Info:
Tickets are $15 and available online at:
Aberdeendriftwood.com
Tickets can also be purchased at these outlets:
Valu-Drug in Montesano
Top Foods and City Center Drug in Aberdeen
Harbor Drug in Hoquiam
Dolores’ and Fay’s in Ocean Shores
At the door, if available
Showtimes:
Saturday: April 26
Friday, Saturday: May 2, 3
Friday, Saturday: May 9, 10
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: May 16, 17, 18
Friday and Saturday shows curtain time: 7:30 p.m.
Sunday matinee show curtain time: 1:30 p.m.
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