The Excitement of The Glass Menagerie Directed by Austin Pendleton & Peter Bloch

 

Taking on Tennessee Williams’ memory play can be exciting, daunting and challenging. But Ruth Stage’s Matt de Rogatis (producer, actor) makes it sound like a cinch when you have people like Pendleton and Bloch steering the wheel of the upcoming production taking place at The Wild Project October 3 thru 20.

 

At a recent interview by Sandi Durell, at The Lambs, much more was gleaned in speaking to Matt and co-directors Austin Pendleton and Peter Bloch.

Interview Here:

 

In reality, Austin Pendleton had already spear-headed the well received newly imagined compression of Shakespeare’s King Henry VI Part 3 and Richard III, making it more easily accessible, tracing many of its characters, entitled Wars of the Roses. It was during this period, and because of other commitments, that Pendleton brought on Peter Bloch as a co-director. Everyone got along so well and the production received such fine feedback, that this collaboration flowed right into The Glass Menagerie.

Pendleton and Bloch describe the timelessness of Menagerie and the fact that theirs is a quicker paced, darker production with an edge toward horror/thriller. Today’s audiences want more of a revealing subtext explains Pendleton and, brilliantly stated, he feels the sign of a great work absorbs the energies of the times in which it is done and collaborates with the audience – 1937 is 2019. Pendleton describes it as a “sustained emergency for all the characters in it . . . the production accentuates the emergency that is already in the play . . . audiences vibrate with it that way.”

de Rogatis explains that the company is sticking with a repertory feel so that actors in Menagerie will come back next season in a new revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with the same directors. But, he still wants to see Wars of the Roses back on their stage.

 

 

The Glass Menagerie will preview at The Wild Project, 195 East 3rd Street, bet. Avenues A & B, October 3, opening night October 9 and running thru October 20 . . . or perhaps extended! Tickets are available at www.TheGlassMenageriePlay.com (PayPal and Credit Cards Accepted)

 

Magda Katz on Camera and Photo