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The Drama Club's fall production opens a three-day run Nov. 29.
FALL STAGE PRODUCTION
8:00 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Forum Theatre
The cast and crew of "The Glass Menagerie" are in rehearsal at Penn State New Kensington. The three shows performed by the Drama Club are set for 8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 29 and 30 and Dec. 1, in the campus' Forum Theatre.
Directed by Bill Mitas, instructor in theatre arts at the campus, the drama revolves around a domineering mother, an extroverted son and introverted daughter. The play was written by Tennessee Williams and is considered by many to be autobiographical.
"The students are working hard with lines and music," said Mitas, in his fifth year as director of campus productions. "They will be ready for show time."
The four-member student cast features Pamela Farneth (Amanda Wingfield) Chris Capo (Tom Wingfield), Kylee Danko (Laura Wingfield) and Josh Milan (Gentleman Caller).
Assisting Mitas with the production are: Erin Holleran, stage manager; Samantha Ndungu Muhhuku, props master; Anthony Maiolo and Cody Shoemaker, set; Joshua Marfin and Qi Shi, sound; Zachary Montgomery and Toney Michael, lighting; Simrit Singh, video; and Angie Mitas, costumes.
The “The Glass Menagerie” opened on Broadway in 1945 and won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. It was Williams’ first successful production, and he followed it with other classics including “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” Williams is regarded as one of the top American playwrights.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. For more information, call 724-334-6032.
CHARACTERS AND CAST
Amanda Wingfield (Pamela Farneth)
A faded Southern belle abandoned by her husband who is trying to raise her two children under harsh financial conditions. Amanda yearns for the comforts from her youth and also longs for her children to have the same comforts, but her devotion to them has made her – as she admits at one point – to almost be "hateful" towards them.
Tom Wingfield (Chris Capo)
Amanda's son and Laura's younger brother. Tom works at a shoe warehouse to support his family but is frustrated by his job and aspires to be a poet. He escapes from reality through nightly trips to the movies and local bars. Tom feels both obligated toward yet burdened by his family. He feels he is grossly misunderstood by his mother.
Laura Wingfield (Kylee Danko)
Amanda's daughter and Tom's older sister. A childhood illness has left her with a limp, and she has an inferiority complex that has caused her to be isolated from the outside world. She has created a world of her own symbolized by her collection of glass figurines.
A Gentleman Caller (Josh Milan)
An old high school acquaintance of Tom and Laura. Jim was a popular athlete during his days at Soldan High School and is now a shipping clerk at the same shoe warehouse in which Tom works.
Mr. Wingfield
Amanda's absentee husband and Laura and Tom’s father. Mr. Wingfield was a handsome man who worked for a telephone company and "fell in love with long distance," abandoning his family 16 years before the play's action. Although he doesn't appear onstage, Mr. Wingfield is frequently referred to by Amanda and his picture is prominently displayed in the Wingfields' living room.
CREW
Erin Holleran- Stage Manage
Samantha Ndungu Muhhuku- Props Master
Anthony Maiolo-Set
Joshua Marfin-Sound
Zachary Montgomery-Lights
Qi Shi-Sound
Cody Shoemaker-Set
Simrit Singh- Video
Toney Michael- Lights
Costumes- Angie Mitas
DIRECTOR
William Mitas