Feb. 6, 2009

Theatre VCU presents 'The Glass Menagerie'

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Theatre VCU presents Tennessee Williams’ classic play, “The Glass Menagerie,” Feb. 12-22 at the Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave. The production will be one of 15 featured in Richmond as part of Second Presbyterian Church’s Acts of Faith Theatre Festival – the largest faith-inspired theatre event in the United States.

Veteran actress and VCU performance professor Lorri Lindberg will portray Amanda in Theatre VCU's production of "The Glass Menagerie"
Veteran actress and VCU performance professor Lorri Lindberg will portray Amanda in Theatre VCU's production of "The Glass Menagerie"

“The Glass Menagerie” will feature veteran actress and VCU performance professor Lorri Lindberg as Amanda, the mother of two grown, troubled children living in a depression-era St. Louis apartment. Lindberg has been a professional actress in film, television and theater for the past 23 years, performing in productions with Susan Sarandon, Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins and Dudley Moore, among many others.

“The Glass Menagerie” reflects the life Williams imagined he might have led if his father had abandoned his family for the independent life he craved, leaving Williams to serve as “the man of the house.” The character of Laura, who is based on Williams’ sister, Rose, is prone to nervous fits but finds comfort in a glass menagerie. Laura’s fragility and Amanda’s controlling nature becomes apparent when Jim, a gentleman caller, visits the apartment.

Janet B. Rodgers, who has been on the VCU faculty since 1987, directs “The Glass Menagerie.” She directed Theatre VCU’s 2004 production of “Mad Forest,” which was selected as an entry in the 2004 Sibiu International Theatre Festival in Romania. Her book, “Acting & Archetypes,” will be published at the end of the year.

The Acts of Faith Theatre Festival is a collaboration between the faith community and Richmond’s professional theatre community to create a shared discussion about how faith and values shape our public and private life. An Acts of Faith talk-back will be held after the Feb. 22 matinee performance of “The Glass Menagerie.”

Performances will be held Feb. 12-14, 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 15 and 22 at 3 p.m. High school matinees are scheduled for Feb. 17 and 18. For ticket information, contact the Theatre VCU box office at 804-828-6026 or theatretix@vcu.edu. Tickets cost $20 for general admission, $18 for VCU faculty and staff, $8 for VCU students with valid ID and $12 for all other students.