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Milligan University Theatre will present “The Glass Menagerie” written by Tennessee Williams, one of America’s premier playwrights of the 20th century. Milligan’s staged reading of this play will take place in the McGlothlin-Street Theatre in the Gregory Center at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 -8.

“The Glass Menagerie” is a timeless, poignant and theatrically daring play focusing on the Wingfield family. Based on the story of Tennessee Williams’ actual family, the Wingfields are haunted by the past, heartbroken by the present, and wary of the future as they struggle to survive and escape depression-era Saint Louis.

The cast features Milligan junior Jocelyn Kain, of Bluff City, Tennessee, as Amanda Wingfield; Milligan junior Payton Chambers, of Greeley, Colorado, as Laura Wingfield; ETSU graduate Caleb Vaughn as Tom Wingfield; and ETSU senior Caleb Hale as the Gentleman Caller. The stage crew consists of Milligan freshman Beth Boulware, of Reno, Nevada; sophomore Ian Haagen, of Johnson City, Tennessee; freshman Jeremiah Marsh, of Lebanon, Tennessee; and junior Cassidy Roberts, of Perry, Florida.

“This production explores the hardship and beauty of being human,” said Chambers. “I hope the community can come and be transported into the world of the Wingfield family because there is a lot we can learn from their story. Laura Wingfield is the most interesting character I have ever gotten to play.”

“The Glass Menagerie” was one of Tennessee Williams’ early plays, and it was greatly influenced by the theatrical style, expressionism. The original script included imaginary props, music, movement and image projections. Milligan’s production seeks to stay true to Williams’ vision for the play while also creating a unique staging of the scenes and delivery that work best for Milligan’s stage. 

 “The original version of ‘The Glass Menagerie’ has been distorted by decades of sentimental stage and film adaptations,” said John Guerrasio, the director of the show. “Anyone who knows the play will be pleasantly surprised by our restored focus on the script. Those who see the play for the first time will be moved by the beauty of the writing and emotional power of this quintessential family drama.”

Guerrasio comes to Milligan with decades of experience acting and directing. He began his acting and directing careers with New York’s acclaimed Roundabout and Lion Theater Companies. He has since performed on Broadway, in London’s West End, and with leading regional theaters in the United States and United Kingdom. Guerrasio was a regular voice in BBC radio plays for 30 years and can be heard in many commercials, cartoons and computer games. He wrote and hosted TV series for The Travel Channel and PBS, and his many acting roles can be streamed on Netflix, Hallmark and many other channels. Guerrasio has taught acting in universities and prisons in the United States and for London’s premier drama schools, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Guerrasio is on the board of directors of the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre.

Tickets are on sale for $12 at Milligan.tix.com. All seats are reserved seating.