TWStL 2021: “The Moon and Beyond”
August 19-29, 2021
Presented by Emerson
All tickets must be purchased online. Tickets for The Glass Menagerie may be purchased via MetroTix through intermission.
The Glass Menagerie, “You Lied to Me About Centralia,” and the Tennessee Williams Tribute are all outdoor events.
Featuring:
The Glass Menagerie
By Tennessee Williams
An Outdoor Performance at the Site that Inspired Williams’ Masterpiece
Williams’ greatest, most famous, and most personal play. The narrator recalls late in life how his youthful devotion to his sister Rose (Laura in the play) conflicted with his creative passions as he was about to escape from St. Louis for good. Directed by Brian Hohlfeld.
The Tennessee / 4633 Westminster Place, 63108
August 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 at 8:00PM
Sponsored by Edward Jones, Ken and Nancy Kranzberg, & Mary Strauss
The Glass Menagerie is performed by special arrangement with Concord Publishing, Inc.
You Lied to Me About Centralia
By John Guare
This play picks up the story of Jim, the Gentleman Caller, immediately after he leaves the Wingfield home to meet Betty, his fiancée. It further illuminates the themes of The Glass Menagerie, leaving us to ponder how a step or two in another direction might have changed everyone’s lives. Directed by Rayme Cornell.
The Tennessee / 4633 Westminster Place, 63108
August 21 & 22 at 2:00PM
Sponsored by John Russell
Why Did Desdemona Love the Moor?
A Workshop Reading
This provocative story examines an interracial love affair between a white Hollywood starlet and a celebrated Black author. Only recently unearthed from the Williams archives, this story speaks to our times, calling out bigotry and exploring the complexity of sexual and racial relationships. Directed by Thomas Mitchell
The Link Auditorium / 4504 Westminster, 63108
Saturday, August 28 at 2:00PM
Sponsored by Terry Schnuck and The University of Illinois Department of Theatre
The Tennessee Williams Walking Tour
The Williams family first settled in the Central West End, and the neighborhood became very important to Tennessee’s work. Beginning and ending at The Link Auditorium, this walking tour will visit neighborhood sites that relate to his life and writing. Along the way, we will hear Williams own words describing familiar locations. Led by Thomas Mitchell
The Link Auditorium / 4504 Westminster, 63108
Sunday, August 22 at 11:00AM
Sponsored by The Missouri Humanities Council
Blue Song: St. Louis in the Life and Work of Tennessee Williams
A Conversation and Happy Hour with Dr. Henry Schvey
Join author Henry Schvey as he discusses his new book exploring the influence of St. Louis on Tennessee Williams. Blue Song reveals how the city was crucial to the development of Williams’ unique theatrical point of view and remained a looming presence in his life long after he tried to escape it.
This is a free, unticketed event. Seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Masks will be required.
Houska Gallery / 4728 McPherson, 63108
Friday, August 20 at 5:30PM
Sponsored by Ted Wight
Tennessee Williams Tribute: “The Moon and Beyond”
Curated by Thomas Mitchell
Hosted by Ken Page
This tribute honors Tennessee Williams and the moon as a symbol of his hope and his need to escape. The Tribute will be an outdoor Happy Hour event with TWStL signature cocktails for purchase and complimentary snacks.
Bar Italia / 13 Maryland Plaza, 63108
August 22 at 4:00PM
Sponsored by Grizzell & Co.
Panels
“Tennessee Williams and the Mummers of St. Louis: Rebels in the Central West End”
Thomas Mitchell and Henry Schvey
“Tom” Williams got his start as a playwright at the Link Auditorium with an experimental theatre group in 1937, The Mummers of St. Louis.
Saturday, August 21 at 9:00AM
“Amanda, Laura, and the Women who Came After”
Nisi Sturgis, Rayme Cornell, Brenda Currin, Elizabeth Teeter, Anna Pileggi
The Glass Menagerie’s characters of Amanda and Laura were among the first in a long line of fabulous roles for women. This discussion of those roles with include brief readings from selected plays.
Saturday, August 21 at 10:00AM
“The Glass Menagerie: Theme and Variations”
Brian Hohlfeld, Nisi Sturgis, J. Myles Hesse
The story of a St. Louis household of Tom, Laura, and Amanda Wingfield went through several forms as Williams fashioned The Glass Menagerie. Panelists will discuss the various versions that it took.
Saturday, August 21 at 11:00AM