OVST gets early start on season with Williams play
March 27, 2008
The Ohio Valley Summer Theater has launched a new season with performances of Tennessee Williams’ classic drama, “The Glass Menagerie,” the first production in OVST’s expanded, four-show season of plays.
The play, which opened last weekend, continues today through Saturday at 8 p.m., and then Sunday at 2 p.m., at ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Athens.
Largely autobiographical, Williams’ play employs characters drawn from members of his immediate family. The mother, Amanda Wingfield (Connie Winters), is a faded Southern belle, tenaciously holding on to the ideals of her gentile upbringing. Her shy and crippled daughter, Laura (Kate Enger), lives in a world of her own imagination.
The responsibilities of the father are grudgingly shouldered by Amanda’s only son, Tom (Gary Molina). When a nice, normal gentleman caller (Bob Rymer) comes to dinner, he is immediately pounced on by Amanda as a possible husband for her daughter. Laura glows in the attention of the gentleman caller ,and for a moment the future appears brightly colored, but like a rainbow the colors quickly fade.
Tennessee Williams’ original script called for the use of projected images throughout the play. Modern technology allows OVST to realize what was deemed impossible when the play was first produced in the 1940s. OVST artistic director Bob Winters has interpreted and expanded the use of projected scenery in this production of “The Glass Menagerie.” Nellie Werger designed the Depression-era costumes. Dan Prince combines sound elements from the 1945 Broadway production with his own interpretations as sound designer. Molina is the director.
Formerly only a summer concern, OVST has made the expansion to a year-long season permanent by including all of this year’s shows in the season ticket package. For the first time, OVST season tickets can be purchased and redeemed at their Web site: www.ovst.org. The new OVST season was made possible by expanding to an additional venue – the ARTS/West performance facility.
Ohio University will continue to be OVST’s summer home, but OVST productions in the spring and during the holidays will be performed at ARTS/West.
The OVST season will continue this summer with “Steel Magnolias” and “The Secret Garden.” Audition information will soon be available on the OVST Web site. OVST will also hold its first summer theater youth camp, with support from Diagnostic Hybrids, Inc.
Next December OVST will perform “Pinocchio.”
Sunday’s matinee of “The Glass Menagerie” is a family performance — one child (under 18) is admitted free with each paid adult. Tickets are available at www.ovst.org or by calling 593-9696.
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