The Glass Menagerie to Reach Broadway in 2005; Streetcar Also Expected

By Robert Simonson
01 Dec 2003

Tennessee Williams in 1944
Tennessee Williams in 1944
Photo by George Platt Lynes

The current Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ended a nearly five-year Tennessee Williams drought on Broadway. But fans likely will not have to wait as long for the next productions of the playwright's work.

Producer Bill Kenwright will bring a new mounting of Williams' breakthrough "memory" play, The Glass Menagerie to Broadway in 2005, a representative for the Williams estate told Playbill On-Line. Directors and stars are currently being entertained, but no names have been officially announced.

Discussions are also underway for a new Broadway staging of A Streetcar Named Desire. No dates or personnel have been set for the enterprise, which is still in the early stages of formation. However, actress Natasha Richardson is being considered for the role of Blanche, the Williams rep said.

The Kenright production of Menagerie effectively ended another revival's hopes of reaching the Broadway stage. During 2001, Williams veteran Elizabeth Ashley embodied Amanda Wingfield in a version of the play which played Hartford Stage and Houston's Alley Theatre. The show was well received and the money collected for a New York move. But, in light of Kenright's bid, the rights to a Broadway production of the play were denied.