Student Review: 'The Glass Menagerie'

The University of Scranton Players’ performance of Tennessee Williams' classic, "The Glass Menagerie," had a successful opening this past Friday with performances continuing through Saturday and Sunday of Family Weekend. Set in 1937 St. Louis,"The Glass Menagerie" tells the story of the Wingfield family through brother Tom’s memories of his mother Amanda, a Southern belle whose husband’s disappearance has left the family in a fragile state, and his sister Laura in their pursuits to find her a gentleman caller to finally appease their mother’s wishes. The University Players’ performance featured Conor Hurley ’18 as Tom Wingfield, Ali Basalyga ’19 as Amanda Wingfield, Victoria Pennington ’19 as Laura Wingfield, and Nick Gangone ’19 as Jim O’Connor, the gentleman caller. The cast and crew produced a captivating performance with mystical lights and sound, raw and emotional scenes, and an overall mesmerizing and poignant story.

Natalie Gray ‘20, the production stage manager, reflected on the rehearsal process. “The cast and crew would meet five days a week for several hours at a time to rehearse," she said. "It is because of this hard work and dedication that the show was able to become a success.”

The actors found the process both enjoyable and challenging– in the best way! Junior Ali Basalyga (Amanda Wingfield) said, “It’s really an honor to have such a challenging and dense role in one of the great American plays." Junior Nick Gangone (gentleman caller) said, “Being the gentleman caller has put into perspective how the definition of being a standup guy has changed since the '30s.” Senior Conor Hurley (Tom Wingfield) described the experience of playing a character based on Tennessee Williams himself to be “profoundly challenging and fulfilling. I’ve really grown as an actor because of it."

More performances of The Glass Menagerie will take place Friday, Sept. 29 at 8, Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2. Click here more information on The Players or to purchase tickets.