Tennessee Williams’ classic play, The Glass Menagerie has extended until July 9 at CAP 21. The show opened June 7, and became a full Actor’s Equity Off-Broadway show after its Show Case beginning.

Patricia McAneny has the lead role as the mother. Charles Sprinkle is Tom, Sarah Jenkins is Laura, and George Macaluso is the Gentleman Caller. The director is Marjorie Ballentine, founder of The Brave New Theatre Company, which is producing the show with Autumn Raid Inc. Background music was written by Grammy winner Hui Cox.

The play is one of the most famous in American theatre. It is set in St. Louis in the 1930’s. Tom, the son, narrates the play as a memory. Through Tom’s eyes, we meet his mother, Amanda, and his sister, Laura. Amanda tries to marry off her fragile daughter and hold on to her adult son. Tom, however, yearns to break away and travel.

The play had its premiere in Chicago in 1944 and launched the career of 33-year-old Thomas Lanier Williams (later, Tennessee). The play was produced in New York in 1945, winning the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award. Williams would go on to win the Pulitzer Prize for A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat On a Hot Tin Roof.

Director Ballentine also taught at the Stella Adler Conservatory. Other credits include directing Vingar Tom, Curse of the Starving Class and Rocket to the Moon. Tickets for The Glass Menagerie are $20. Reservations can be made by calling (212) 501-7436. CAP 21 is located at 15 West 28 Street. There are seven shows a week.

-- Daniel Fischer