The Glass Menagerie is my favorite play, solely because I love the 1973 taped and televised Broadway performance. I haven't seen any other version, but after watching this cast, there's no need to.
Katharine Hepburn stars as faded Southern belle who mothers and smothers her two children, Sam Waterston and Joanna Miles. Sam is passionate and dying to break out of his stifling environment, but he's protective over his crippled sister and is conflicted about leaving her alone with their mother. If you're a fan of his because of Law & Order, you need to see his stint on Broadway so you can see the first time he delivered a powerful, passionate speech. It's incredible, unnerving, and heartbreaking every time he goes head-to-head with Katharine Hepburn.
Kate had already starred as the overbearing mother in another Tennessee Williams play, Suddenly, Last Summer, but she shines even brighter in this one. Unlike the 1959 film, her character in The Glass Menagerie is sane and accessible. If you're a parent, your heart will go out to her as she tries to look out for her daughter, but Sam Waterston is the real hero of the story. He's wonderful and energetic from start to finish. I guarantee you'll become a lifelong fan of his after watching his breakthrough performance.
Katharine Hepburn stars as faded Southern belle who mothers and smothers her two children, Sam Waterston and Joanna Miles. Sam is passionate and dying to break out of his stifling environment, but he's protective over his crippled sister and is conflicted about leaving her alone with their mother. If you're a fan of his because of Law & Order, you need to see his stint on Broadway so you can see the first time he delivered a powerful, passionate speech. It's incredible, unnerving, and heartbreaking every time he goes head-to-head with Katharine Hepburn.
Kate had already starred as the overbearing mother in another Tennessee Williams play, Suddenly, Last Summer, but she shines even brighter in this one. Unlike the 1959 film, her character in The Glass Menagerie is sane and accessible. If you're a parent, your heart will go out to her as she tries to look out for her daughter, but Sam Waterston is the real hero of the story. He's wonderful and energetic from start to finish. I guarantee you'll become a lifelong fan of his after watching his breakthrough performance.