Old Globe's Menagerie, with Emmy Winner Winningham, Begins April 12

By Andrew Gans
12 Apr 2008

Clockwise from left: Winningham, Simpson and Federer in The Glass Menagerie.
Clockwise from left: Winningham, Simpson and Federer in The Glass Menagerie.
Photo by Craig Schwartz

Emmy Award winner Mare Winningham, who was recently seen on the New York stage in 10 Million Miles, heads the cast of the Old Globe Theatre's production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, which begins performances April 12.

Directed by Joe Calarco, the Williams classic will play the San Diego venue's Cassius Carter Centre Stage through May 18 with an official opening April 17. Winningham (as Amanda) is joined onstage by Michele Federer as Laura Wingfield, Michael Simpson as Tom Wingfield and Kevin Isola as Jim O'Connor.

The Glass Menagerie, according to press notes, "glimpses the Wingfield family's struggle to hold its ground in 1939 St. Louis. Amanda, the matriarch of the family, is trying to maintain her dignity and provide for the future in the midst of the Great Depression. Her son Tom denies his own dreams to become the reluctant breadwinner after his father ran out on the family while his frail sister Laura has retreated to a homebound life where she finds comfort caring for her collection of little glass animals. The arrival of Jim, a 'gentleman caller,' at the Wingfield residence could be a sign of hope or a disturbance that will shatter their fragile home."

The production features scenic design by Michael Fagin, costume design by Anne Kennedy, lighting design by Chris Lee and sound design by Lindsay Jones. Diana Moser is the stage manager.

The Glass Menagerie premiered on Broadway at the Playhouse Theatre in 1945. Directed by Eddie Dowling and Margo Jones, the original production featured Laurette Taylor as Amanda, Eddie Dowling as Tom, Julie Haydon as Laura and Anthony Ross as Jim. The most recent Broadway production cast Jessica Lange as Amanda.

Mare Winningham won Emmy Awards for her performances in "George Wallace" and "Amber Waves" and was Emmy-nominated for her work in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Boys Next Door" and "Love Is Never Silent." She also received an Academy Award nomination in 1996 for her role in "Georgia." Winningham recently made her New York stage debut in 10 Million Miles.

Tickets, priced $42-$49, are available by calling (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting www.TheOldGlobe.org.