Press Releases

Tennessee Williams' Classic Drama To Feature Original Music Composed by Father Alphonse Stephenson.

EVENT INFORMATION

What:
"The Glass Menagerie"

Dates & Times:
Saturday, January 17 � 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 18 � 3 p.m.
Friday, January 23 � 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 � 2 p.m.
Saturday, January 24 � 8 p.m.
Sunday, January 25 � 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre, 173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Starting at Adults: $29, Seniors: $26, Students: $20
Box Office Hours: M-F 12-6 p.m. and Saturday 12-4 p.m.
Call 732-528-9211 or visit algonquinarts.org
All tickets subject to $2 processing fee.

MANASQUAN, N.J. (January 5, 2015) - Algonquin Arts Theatre has announced the dynamic, experienced cast to star in "The Glass Menagerie" opening January 17 and running for two weekends.

The first Tennessee Williams play to be a major success, "The Glass Menagerie" features Tom Wingfield's recollections of life in a dingy St. Louis apartment with his mother, Amanda, and sister, Laura.

"This play is one of the greatest American dramas ever written, and we have assembled an extremely talented cast and creative team that will do this Tennessee Williams script justice," said Algonquin Arts Theatre Executive Director William Whitefield. "The story of Tom, Laura and Amanda is captivating and shouldn't be missed."

Brielle's Lynne Truex stars as Amanda Wingfield a faded, tragic remnant of Southern gentility who strives � ineffectively and irritatingly � to give meaning to the lives of her children. Truex, a veteran of the stage who has played the title character in "Mame," Miss Hannigan in "Annie" and the Reverend Mother in "Nunsense," returns to the Algonquin stage after playing Mama Rose in "Gypsy" and Vicki Nichols in "The Full Monty."

Audra Mariel, who appeared last month as Ann Collier in "The 1940s Radio Hour," returns to play Laura. Like the rest of her family, Laura lives in her illusions and due to a childhood illness, is crippled with one leg shorter than the other. Mariel, a Colts Neck resident who conducts workshops for the Algonquin's Education Department, has a variety of credits to her name starring in "Any Other Name" with Premiere Stages and in the Classics on Tour production of "Romeo and Juliet."

The protagonist, Tom, both narrates the play and appears in the action. Tom will be played by Christopher Verdi, an Asbury Park resident making his Algonquin debut. A graduate of David Mamet's Atlantic Theatre Company Acting School in New York City, Verdi's professional credits vary from playing Rev. Parris in "The Crucible" at Seacoast Repertory in New Hampshire to a recurring role on "One Life to Live."

The play's fourth character is Jim, who calls on Laura. This role will mark the Algonquin debut for Johnathon Micheal Hanson, who has appeared in productions around the world and studied at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Hanson's theatre credits include Andy Lee in "42nd Street" on tour and in Germany, as well as productions of "Cabaret" and "Mack & Mabel" at Surflight Theatre. Hanson recently relocated to Manasquan where he's a chocolatier at The Chocolate Bar.

Special for this production, the Algonquin has contracted Father Alphonse Stephenson, conductor of The Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea, to compose original, dramatic music that provides emotional emphasis to support the story.

"The Glass Menagerie" is directed by Gina Lupi, an award-winner who has directed "Annie Get Your Gun," "Gypsy," "Man of La Mancha" and many other productions at the Algonquin. Jan Topoleski and William Whitefield are the producers, with Topoleski also heading up Set and Sound Design. David Sexton ("My Fair Lady," "Evita") returns as lighting designer. Paul Andrejack is stage manager, with costumes by Scaramouche Costumes and props by Mary Anne Vittello.

Tickets start at are $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and $20 for students and are available online at algonquinarts.org, by phone at 732-528-9211 or in person at the Algonquin Box Office at 173 Main Street in Manasquan from 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 12-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Premium seating in the first 14 rows is available for $7 more. Each ticket subject to a $2 processing fee.

Evening performances are at 8 p.m. on January 17, 23 and 24. There is one Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. on January 24, and two Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. on January 18 and 25. Discount packages are available that include tickets to the Walnut Street Theatre touring production of David Mamet's "A Life in the Theatre" which takes the Algonquin stage on February 7 and 8.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman, and by Manasquan Savings Bank.