Review: Skilled actors enliven ‘Glass Menagerie’ at Modern Theater

In 1944 “The Glass Menagerie” became the play that launched Tennessee Williams’ career.

It seems fitting, then, that “The Glass Menagerie” is the play that is launching the Modern Theater in Spokane, the new name for the theater company that formerly was Interplayers.

It’s fitting because it’s just the kind of small-cast, character-driven drama that had been Interplayers’ bread and butter the past few years. And given that most of the actors and the director in the wings are veterans of that stage on Howard Street, it makes “The Glass Menagerie” an excellent transition from old regime to new.

The play, somewhat autobiographical, centers on a faded Southern belle, Amanda Wingfield (Marianne McLaughlin), who lives in a shabby St. Louis apartment with her adult children – the aspiring poet and dreamer Tom (Damon Mentzer) and the profoundly shy and handicapped Laura (Aubrey Shimek Davis).

Amanda despairs that Laura will be an old maid and badgers Tom into bringing home a “gentleman caller,” Jim (Nich Witham), a co-worker from his warehouse job, to meet her. Since being abandoned by her charmer of a husband, Amanda and her family have lived on the brink of disaster. Tom supports the family, and Amanda helps by hitting up her colleagues from the Daughters of the American Revolution for subscriptions to a women’s magazine.

Amanda is a showy role, one that has drawn big-name stars like Katharine Hepburn, Joanne Woodward, Maureen Stapleton, Jessica Tandy, Cherry Jones and Jessica Lange. McLaughlin is more than up to the challenge. Her Amanda is desperate, sad and lonely – one of those women compelled to fill every quiet moment with chatter, usually about her exploits as the belle of the ball. This veteran actor – she recently was Mama Rose in “Gypsy” at Spokane Civic Theatre – makes us feel her desperation, even as we find distasteful how she pushes Laura way beyond her comfort zone.

Davis, who was Gypsy to McLaughlin’s Mama Rose at Civic, has the harder job. Laura is the ultimate wallflower, only interested in the little glass animals she collects. Attempts at business school are an abject failure, as the mere prospect of being in a class makes Laura physically ill. Davis, appearing in her first nonmusical, is convincing as the shy young woman. She’s all stooped shoulders and no eye contact. When Laura actually opens up a bit upon meeting Jim, the transformation is remarkable, and Davis does an excellent job portraying it.

Witham’s Jim is a smooth talker, thanks to his night classes in public speaking, with a lot of ambition. Back in high school, where he and Tom were classmates, it was never his thought that he’d be a shipping clerk. Still, he’s cocky and smooth, and able to bring Laura out of her shell.

As Tom, Mentzer plays the right balance of youthful energy, selfishness and frustration. Tom is stuck and spends his spare time at the movies, waiting for adventure to come to his life. He’s likable, even if his actions ultimately are not.

The Modern’s production clocks in at nearly 2 1/2 hours with intermission, so it’s not a short play. Credit goes to director Patrick Treadway, who keeps things moving along at a good clip. The play never drags, and he has guided his cast to compelling performances.

“The Glass Menagerie” makes for an entertaining night, proof that live, professional theater still has a place in Spokane.