PR2016 Jan 14

Theatre Tuscaloosa 9500 Old Greensboro Road #135 • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405 • (205) 391-2277 • FAX (205) 391-2329 • theatretusc.com

Contacts:

Adam Miller, Managing Director

205.391.2925 / amiller@sheltonstate.edu

Harley Sabbagh, Media Contact

205.391.2277 / hsabbagh@sheltonstate.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THEATRE TUSCALOOSA KICKS OFF 2016 WITH THE GLASS MENAGERIE

January 14, 2016 (TUSCALOOSA, AL) – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie February 12-21, 2016, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College.

A drama of great tenderness, charm, and beauty, The Glass Menagerie is one of the most famous plays of the modern theatre. Set in St. Louis in the late 1930's, the story is told from the memory of Tom, who recounts his life with his overbearing mother, Amanda, and the illusions she spins to save her daughter and herself from the reality of their frail existence. After winning the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, The Glass Menagerie launched Tennessee Williams into the national spotlight.

“The Glass Menagerie is a show everyone should experience. It is pure Southern poetry, a raw but beautiful examination of relationships, pain, hurt vs. hope, illusion vs. reality, and what it means to be family,” says Executive Producer, Tina Turley.

Theatre Tuscaloosa Artistic Director Emeritus, Paul Looney, is returning to the Bean-Brown Theatre for a second time this season as director.

"I am thrilled to finally direct The Glass Menagerie,” says Looney. "The Glass Menagerie is studied and performed in classrooms and theatres around the world. This promises to be a mountaintop experience for us all."

The production team includes Ashlyn Lambert, stage manager; Paul Looney, director and scenic designer; Wheeler Kincaid, technical director; Rich Dunham, lighting designer; and Jeanette Waterman, costume designer.

The cast of The Glass Menagerie includes Ava Buchanan, Hope Bonitz, Calvin Bryan, and Bucky Clements.

Ava Buchanan is honored to be living the role of Amanda for a third time. "Twenty years have passed since the first time I played her; I feel that age and experience, both real-life and acting experience, will help me to bring her to a different level than I was able to achieve before. I am looking forward to being in the hands of the master, Paul Looney, who has directed me in many roles involving complicated women," says Buchanan.

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2015-16 Season: Making Fun! is presented in cooperation with Shelton State Community College and is made possible with support from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, WVUA23, and Townsquare Media. The Glass Menagerie is sponsored by Renfroe Outdoor Advertising and Robertson Banking Company.

The Glass Menagerie will run February 12-21, 2016, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturday, February 13. Matinee performances will be at 2:00 p.m. on Sundays, Wednesday, and Saturday, February 20. A pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m., all proceeds of which will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (60+) and members of the military, and $12 for students and children. Special rates are available in advance for groups of ten or more.

Tickets and information are available at www.theatretusc.com or 205.391.2277.

###

Media Note: A limited number of complimentary press passes are available. To make arrangements to cover a performance of The Glass Menagerie, contact Adam Miller at 205.391.2925 or Harley Sabbagh at 205.391.2277.

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.