Play House artistic director Michael Bloom directs the production that began previews Sept. 12 and will continue through Oct. 5.

Purl, known for her roles on "Happy Days" and Getting and Spending, stars as overbearing family matriarch Amanda Wingfield in a cast that also features Daniel Damon Joyce (Come Back, Little Sheba) as Tom, Alison Lani as Laura and Sorin Brouwers as the Gentleman Caller.

"In this tale of endurance and forgiveness," press notes read, "a young man is torn between obligation to his family and the need to lead a life of his own. Williams' menagerie of characters, caught in their claustrophobic tenement, includes Amanda, the domineering matriarch; Tom, the reluctant breadwinner; Laura, a fragile girl tending a collection of glass figurines; and Jim, the gentleman caller whose brief visit forever changes their lives."

Designing The Glass Menagerie are Robert Mark Morgan (scenic design), Susan Tsu (costume design), Michael Lincoln (lighting design) and James C. Swonger (sound design).

Tickets are available by phoning (216) 795-7000 or by visiting ClevelandPlayhouse. *

Founded in 1915, the Cleveland Play House has presented the world premieres of Randal Myler's It Ain't Nothin' but the Blues, Michele Lowe's The Smell of the Kill, Eric Coble's Bright Ideas and Seth Greenland's Jerusalem.