Director Soren Oliver will helm Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, Aurora Theatre's season opener at the Berkeley City Club in Berkeley, Calif. The Glass Menagerie runs Sept. 24 - Oct. 31. Tennessee Williams¹ award-winning drama involves the Wingfield family - Amanda, the world-worn Southern belle, and her children, Tom and Laura -- as they endure hard times in the city of St. Louis.

"Aurora¹s rendition offers an opportunity to experienceGlass Menagerie in a remarkably intimate setting," a production spokesperson told Playbill On-Line. "At the Berkeley City Club, audience members can practically put their feet on stage and squirm as the tension mounts in the front room of Amanda Wingfield's home."

Back in 1945, after a tumultuous development period, Menagerie's originally Broadway opening inspired rave notices in March of that year. Almost immediately, the play's success helped establish Williams as a leading American playwright. The show won the New York Drama Critics Award for Best American Play. Laurette Taylor also won the 1945 Antoinette Perry award [nascent Tony] as that season¹s best actress.

Aurora¹s production features Lura Dolas as Amanda, Kathryn Pallakoff as Laura, Gabriel Sebastian as Tom Wingfield and Paul Sulzman as the Gentleman Caller.

Previews run Sept. 24-29. The show runs Sept. 30-Oct. 31., with show times scheduled Wed.-Sat. at 8 PM, Sunday matinees at 2 PM, and Sunday evening performances at 7 PM on Oct. 3, 10, 17 and 24. The Berkeley City Club is located at 2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley, CA. Tickets are $28 with previews and Sun. Evenings performances at $25. For tickets and information call (510) 843-4822.

-- Murdoch McBride