Cast announced for Southeastern Theatre's 'The Glass Menagerie'
Contact: Tonya Lowentritt
9/19/08
HAMMOND – Theater-goers can expect new life brought to an American classic when Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre presents Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie Oct. 8-11 at 7:30 p.m.
Part of Fanfare’s eclectic schedule of month-long events, the production will be staged in Vonnie Borden Theatre.
“As a playwright, I believe The Glass Menagerie is one of the best written plays in the history of drama,” said Jim Winter, Southeastern theater instructor and director of the play. “I think our production will bring a breath of fresh air to this American classic."
The Glass Menagerie was Tennessee Williams’ first hit play and remains one of the best-loved American dramas ever written, Winter added. Set in St. Louis in the late 1930s, the play tells the story of the struggling Wingfield family: Amanda, a single mother trying desperately to keep her family afloat; Laura, Amanda’s shy and lonely daughter who can’t seem to fit into society; and Tom, her son who is torn between loyalty to this family and an intense desire to leave them behind and follow his dreams.
When Amanda convinces Tom to bring home a suitor for Laura, each family member realizes this “gentleman caller” has the power to enable them to find security and happiness.
“The Glass Menagerie is an incredibly autobiographical piece which parallels many of young Tennessee Williams’ struggles,” Winter said. “Through Tom, we get a glimpse of the desperate, personal struggles which drove Williams to become a giant of the world stage.”
Cast members are Zachary Boudreaux of Walker as Tom; Stephanie Delcambre of New Iberia as Amanda; Rasheedah Cal of Baton Rouge as Laura; and Charles Pineda of Covington as Jim, the gentleman caller.
Winter has once again tapped Southeastern music professor Stephen Suber to compose an original musical score. The university’s award-winning composer-in-residence previously created music for Southeastern Theatre’s March 2006 production of Waiting for Godot.
Members of the production crew include Rebecca Brown of Convent, make-up designer, and Rachael Johnson of Mandeville, sound designer.
“I am excited to work with four actors I have not previously directed in one of my all-time favorite plays,” Winter said. “Southeastern Theatre hopes this production will be a way to get the Hammond community and surrounding communities involved in our student productions. We are very proud of our program and eager to provide a quality theater experience for our audiences.”
Tickets -- $10, adults; $6, senior citizens, faculty, staff, alumni; $5 non-Southeastern students – will be available at the theater box office in D Vickers Hall. Southeastern students are admitted free with their university I.D.
For additional information contact Winter at (985) 549-3546 or James.Winter@selu.edu.
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