[ February 26, 2024 ] Tater Patch Players is starting it's 2024 season with a classic play by Tennessee Williams. The Glass Menagerie is described by the playwright as a "memory play" about the Wingfield family.

Son Tom is played by Tater Patch newcomer Josh Marett and Tom's sister, Laura, by Josh's real-life wife Ash Hosford. Josh and Ash come to us with lots of theater experience which they are now bringing to the Tater Patch Players.

New to the stage, but with a lot of back-stage knowledge and enthusiasm, Cindy Parks plays Tom and Laura's mother, Amanda Wingfield. Amanda wants nothing but the best for her two children, but totally fails to see that her wishes and theirs are never going to match. She often moves into the fantasy world of her memories of "gentlemen callers" and the genteel world of the Old South.

This world totally fails to understand either Tom or Laura and this chasm between them is at the heart of the memories that make up this play. When Tom's friend from work, Jim, is introduced into this family mix, he becomes the "gentleman caller" for Laura that Amanda imagines as the solution to the family's problems, though he is nothing of the sort. Jim is deftly performed by Tyler Roper, a long-time actor in our theater and a fine performer.

The Glass Menagerie is a classic of the modern theater. The idea that the play is built on a series of Tom's memories, brought back to life, is a challenging one for actors and especially for the director, Stan O'Kelley. He artfully weaves truth and memory to bring the audience a tapestry of scenes that bring these characters to life.

Tater Patch Players invite you all to come plunge yourselves into the fanciful yet isolated world of Amanda Wingfield and her family. It is a world where wishes come face-to-face with reality and where there is no clear winner.

Conceived by one of the playwriting giants of the American theater, Tennessee Williams, many theater lovers have thought that The Glass Menagerie is an autobiography. Others think it is symbolic of the decline of "The Old South". Others hail is as an example of character study. Of all the things this play is described as, the most true is that it is outstanding theater with plenty of "acting room" for four fine actors.

We hope you will come and enjoy this extraordinary show as we begin a strong 2024 play season at Tater Patch Players.

The performance dates are March 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24. The Sunday performances are at 2 pm and all the others at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for students. They may be bought online anytime at www.taterpatchplayers.org.

Or you may buy them at the box office at 95 Philadelphia Lane beginning one hour before show time on any performance date.

If you have questions or concerns, email taterpatchplayers@gmail.com or call anytime to 706-253-2800 and leave a message.