Tomorrow the local college, Walter’s State Community College, will be opening the Tennessee Williams classic, The Glass Menagerie. This production stars Kathy Garver, who is best known as “Cissy” from the TV classic “Family Affair.”
The director of the show has done something that I really don’t like with plays. He has two separate casts. In both cast Amanda (Mrs. Garver) and the Gentleman Caller a.k.a. Jim D. O’Conner are the same. Tom and Laura change out each show. I know why he did it, as he really respects both people cast as Tom. I am really glad that I am working sound for this show as I don’t have to choose between which cast I want to see do the show.
In the first cast we have actor Jonathan Stephens as Tom and Rebecca Perinaz as Laura. The second cast has Adam Malonem as Tom with Kendra Haynes as Laura.
Both cast are amazing. However, there are some differences between the way the actors portray the character they are playing. For instance Jonathan Stephens as Tom is loud and at times a bit sarcastic, which work with perfectly well with the feel of the show and character. On the other hand, Adam Malone plays the part very reserved, without giving the feeling that his character might leave until he does. Along with Malone’s more reserved character also comes a more reserved projection of his voice. I heard it harder to hear Adam more than it has been to hear Jonathan. That is not a bad thing, as Adam has good projection on that stage.
On the flip side we have the two Lauras. Kendra’s Laura is still meek, but not as painfully as Rebecca’s. Rebecca is normally a very timid and shy person, and it has been hard for her to project on that stage until last night. I heard her say most of her lines without straining to hear. Rebecca also doesn’t play up the “physical defect” that Laura has as much as Kendra. Kendra’s Laura has a small limp when she walks around the stage, whereas Rebecca doesn’t carry it on with the limp. Also in the dance with Jim in the final scenes of the play, Rebecca seems to be more “rigid” than Kendra. However, it’s not a bad thing. Rebecca’s version of the character has all the shy qualities that Laura is supposed to have. Kendra does a good job, but it seems she has to work harder to get the shyness of the character as well as Rebecca does.
All in all, both casts are amazing. I am glad I don’t have to pick which actors I will see, as being the sound tech for the show, I am there for all performances. So, if you are in the Lakeway area of Tennessee, please call the humanities division of Walter’s State and make reservations. Performances are Febuary 21-March 2, with Thursday Friday and Saturday nights starting at 8 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2 pm.
