“The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams requires a remarkable actress to play Amanda Winfield, the beleaguered mother of a pathetic family. Judith Ivey is an exceptional actress who makes mincemeat of the role in the current production at the Mark Taper Forum. She bounces from being a Southern belle remembering her past romances to a carping mother as she attempts to find happiness for her bored son and painfully shy daughter.
However, after a terribly long first act, Amanda’s southern accent and cackling laugh begin to pall. Can the first act be cut or can Amanda tone down her exuberance? That’s just a minor cavil about a play that is beautifully written and beautifully acted. Williams is so wonderfully insightful in dealing with people who have lost their way and have nothing but a dreary future ahead.
It’s Amanda’s responsibility and passion to keep her two children afloat during the Depression after her husband has abandoned her. Her son, Tom, is a dreamer who is torn between his responsibility to his mother and sister and his hope for a better life. Working in a dreary shoe warehouse during the day, he finds escape by going to the movies every night. His anguish is conveyed convincingly by Patch Darragh.
His sister, played with pathos by Keira Keeley, is a reclusive cripple who hides from the world and finds pleasure in collecting glass animals. How can she find a career if she drops out of business school? How can a suitor be found to take care of her? Amanda seeks a solution by insisting that Tom bring home one of his co-workers as a “gentleman caller.” Finally, Tom’s co-worker is coaxed into coming to dinner. In the person of Jim O’Connor, played by Ben McKenzie, he typifies the young man of that era who is trying to work his way up by taking classes at night school.
The scene between self-confident Jim and lost soul Laura is a highlight of the play, exemplifying Williams’ ability to write with passion and understanding.
The drama is directed with perspicacity by Gordon Edelstein. The set is a drab apartment designed by Michael Yeardon.