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University Theatre to open season with virtual performance of ‘Glass Menagerie’

By Mahoning Matters staff and Jeremy Harper
Nate Montgomery, Molly Galano and Elise Vargo star in the University Theatre production of “The Glass Menagerie.” (Photo courtesy of YSU)
Nate Montgomery, Molly Galano and Elise Vargo star in the University Theatre production of “The Glass Menagerie.” (Photo courtesy of YSU)

YOUNGSTOWN — University Theatre at Youngstown State University will open its fall season with an online performance of "The Glass Menagerie" at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25.

Additional performances of the Tennessee Williams play, directed by Matthew Mazuroski, are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26, Sept. 27, Oct. 3 and Oct. 4; and at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2.

The production will be available here, where tickets also can be purchased. Ticket prices are $10 for general admission single viewer; $25 for general admission group viewing/watch party; and free for YSU students and YSU faculty and staff with inclusion of Banner ID.

"The Glass Menagerie" is the story of a family desperate to break free of the burdens of their past and their present. The semi-autobiographical account of Williams' early days in 1930s St. Louis is a heartbreaking yet often funny "memory play" told from the perspective of Tom Wingfield. Tom's mother, Amanda has been abandoned by her husband and now lives only for her children; his unmarried sister, Laura, who is a fragile and painfully shy, retreats into a world of glass animals; and Tom is torn between his poetic inclinations and the responsibility of supporting his mother and sister. Each escapes into their own personal "glass menagerie" as a means of eluding the pain of their own — and each other's — existence.

"In these days of COVID, the creative team and I are breaking new ground to deliver a high-quality theater experience using streaming technology," Mazuroski said in a news release. "By adapting this traditional theater experience into a more filmic experience, we are recording the work of the actors, designers and crew that allows us to continue our educational mission in a robust and rewarding way — one I strongly believe that our audiences will thoroughly enjoy."

The cast includes Nate Montgomery, Elise Vargo and Mitchell Sharp. Guest artist Molly Galano, a veteran regional community theater actor, will perform the role of Amanda Wingfield.

For more information, call the Office of Community Engagement and Events at 330-727-7514.

This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 5:00 PM with the headline "University Theatre to open season with virtual performance of ‘Glass Menagerie’."