NW Valley Times

Grand Canyon University's theater department is bringing its season to a close with a production of Tennessee Williams' "The Glass Menagerie." Opening tonight at 7:30 PM at the College of Arts and Media's Black Box Theatre, the play delves into themes such as isolation and illusion, which are especially poignant in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Claude Pensis, director and theater professor, described the production as "an incredible veneer" full of layers that explore life lessons involving isolation and communication. The play focuses on the Wingfield family in Depression-era St. Louis, highlighting their struggles with love, tragedy, and abandonment. Tom, played by Maverick Lemmon, serves as the play's narrator, caught between his aspirations for freedom and his guilt over leaving his sister Laura, portrayed by Nia Hughes. The character of Amanda Wingfield, a fading Southern belle, is played by Cora Epton, who compares the process of crafting her role to the intricate art of making lace.

"The whole production is a memory play," Epton noted, emphasizing how the narrative unfolds within the realm of Tom's memories, a choice that affects the play’s visual presentation. The importance of memory and the past is echoed by other cast members. Lemmon shared that each character clings to elements from the past, pointing out that viewers can witness the internal struggles these characters face.

Brandon Erickson-Moen plays Jim O'Connor, Tom's colleague who provides the Wingfield family with a taste of reality from the outside world. Erickson-Moen noted that the play's themes resonate with modern issues, such as internet-induced isolation. The production casts a light on how the Wingfields remain trapped by their own past traumas and challenges, prompting reflections on personal connections.

Izabela Fogarasi, a staff writer at GCU, penned the original release and can be contacted at [email protected].

Performances are set for 7:30 PM tonight and Saturday, with a 2 PM matinee on Sunday, March 28-29 at 7:30 PM, and March 30 at 2 PM. Tickets are available through the university's website.