Presenting 'The Glass Menagerie'

University Communications
Feb. 5, 2014

Using his own life, the late American playwright Tennessee Williams created "The Glass Menagerie," an exquisite memory play.

Laura (Kathleen Cannon) listens intently to her gentleman caller, Jim (Joey Rudman), as he regales her with stories of his past in Arizona Repertory Theatre’s production of "The Glass Menagerie." (Photo credit: Ed Flores).

Amanda Wingfield is a fading southern belle who is determined to hold her family together in any way she can.

Her son, Tom, struggles to escape both his present and his past, but his love for his wounded sister, Laura, keeps him bound, forever compelled to tell the story of the night she met her gentleman caller.

Fragile Laura Wingfield (Kathleen Cannon) attempts to ignore the disagreement between her mother, Amanda (Maedell Dixon), and brother, Tom (Paul Thomson). (Photo credit: Ed Flores).

Filled with the heartbreaking beauty that marks Williams’ best work, "The Glass Menagerie" remains a compelling and timeless piece of theatre.

"Amanda is one of the great roles of the American theatre,” said Maedell Dixon, a UA adjunct lectuer in the School of Theatre, Film & Television who plays Amanda Wingfield in the production.

"It is an honor and a privilege to be asked to play her, and a bit daunting," Dixon said. "As an actor and a mother, I hope to bring Amanda's courage and nobility to the role."

"The Glass Menagerie" will be presented by the UA Arizona Repertory Theatre Feb. 9 through March 2 in the Tornabene Theatre located in the theater complex located at 1025 N. Olive Rd.

Southern belle Amanda Wingfield (Maedell Dixon) lectures her son, Tom (Paul Thomson), about his lack of motivation. (Photo credit: Ed Flores).

The UA school also works to provide students the experience of working with Actors' Equity Association professionals, like Dixon.



"I am thrilled to be working as a guest artist with the talented students in the UofA's professional actor-training program," Dixon said. "They are the future of the theatre."

Contct: Lisa Pierce, the UA School of Theatre, Film & Television marketing and development director, at 520-626-2686 or lisapierce@email.arizona.edu.

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