The Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT) is offering audiences a fresh perspective on Tennessee Williams’ poignant classic, The Glass Menagerie. Directed by James Still, this new production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama will grace the Janet Allen Stage from March 11 to April 6.
Since its debut in Chicago in the mid-1940s, The Glass Menagerie has captured audiences worldwide with its deeply personal and emotionally resonant storytelling. The play quickly garnered critical acclaim, winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best American Play and enjoying a successful 18-month run on Broadway. Over the years, it has seen multiple revivals, cementing its status as one of the most enduring works in American theatre.
Director James Still sees this production as both a tribute to the past and an exploration of the present. “One of the many astonishing things about the play is that so many of the elements in its story that have made it a ‘classic’ are the same elements that make it shockingly contemporary and relevant,” said Still. “Our production is a fresh and rigorous embrace of past and present and offers IRT audiences a chance to rediscover a play that continues to fascinate, endure, and reinvent the complexities of stories about the American family.”
At its core, The Glass Menagerie is a deeply autobiographical reflection by Tennessee Williams, drawing inspiration from his own family experiences with bittersweet tenderness. The story follows Amanda, a faded Southern belle, and her two adult children: the painfully shy Laura and the restless poet Tom. As they navigate life in their cramped apartment, they seek hope and escape from their confining realities.
This latest production at IRT takes a nuanced approach to the portrayal of disability within the play. Traditionally, much focus has been placed on Laura’s physical disability, but Still and IRT Access Consultant Talleri McRae have broadened this interpretation, exploring a more expansive view of disability and difference. “This production intentionally explores wider definitions of disability and difference and asks the following question: How are all the characters—their bodies and minds—disabled…by their environment? by their loved ones? by themselves? by the expectations placed on them?” McRae explained. “Tennessee Williams’ sensitive, insightful, timeless play invites us all to consider disability and difference then and now.”
To further enrich the audience’s experience, the Theatre will offer supplemental programming throughout the show’s run. This includes Artist Conversations and a free Community Conversation on March 15, following the 5 PM performance. This discussion, featuring James Still and accessibility dramaturg Talleri McRae, will delve into the play’s timeless themes, directorial vision, and the ways in which it challenges and expands audience perceptions.
With this innovative production, IRT continues its tradition of delivering powerful storytelling while encouraging deeper reflection on themes of memory, family, and societal expectations. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience The Glass Menagerie in a bold new light.
TICKETS: Tickets start at $25. Click to buy now
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