Published: September 10, 2009 03:29 pm      

TV actress, real-life son will star in playhouse production

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Three-time Tony Award nominee Sandy Duncan doesn’t expect top billing as she prepares to take the stage at Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown.

She and Jeffrey Correia star in the playhouse’s newest production, “The Glass Menagerie,” which opens Tuesday and runs through Sept. 27.

There is no controversy over top billing because Correia is Duncan’s real-life son.

“It wouldn’t matter,” she said. “I would gladly give it to him, and he would feel the same if I got it.”

While the two have sung together onstage before, this production marks their first appearance together in a dramatic role.

Duncan portrays family matriarch Amanda Wingfield. She stars opposite her son, who plays onstage son Tom.

The show also features Jennifer Blood as Laura and Joseph Domencic as the Gentleman Caller.

“People don’t realize that this also is a very funny play,” Duncan said. “My biggest challenge right now is learning all of Amanda’s lines. She never stops talking.”

Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” is considered to be an American classic drama that countless high school and college students read.

For this reason, the normal playhouse schedule changes with the addition of several matinees enabling students from the region to see this special production featuring a major star of stage, film and television, said Producer Teresa Stoughton Marafino.

Student and youth tickets are $8 for any performance.

“This is a true family show,” Duncan said. “For those youngsters attending, they will get it after about 10 minutes because of the family dynamic involved.”

Williams’ play, filled with autobiographical symbolism of his own family’s relationships, tells the story of Tom Wingfield, his mother Amanda and his sister Laura, who as a shy young woman attracts few suitors, to the chagrin of her mother.

When Tom relents to his mother’s requests and brings home Jim, a potential suitor from his job at a local warehouse, Laura learns that he is a man she once had a deep affection for as a schoolgirl.

The evening involves a secret kiss, a slow dance and a broken glass unicorn that comes to symbolize the loss that underscores this aching memory play.

Duncan has been nominated for a Tony three times: As best supporting or featured actress (musical) in 1969 for “Canterbury Tales” and as best actress (musical) in 1971 for a revival of “The Boy Friend” and in 1980 for “Peter Pan.”

The production is under the direction of Guy Stroman, who has worked with Duncan.

“I first worked with Guy when he played one of the pirates in ‘Peter Pan,’ ” Duncan said.

“Now Guy is my director of choice because he knows how to speak to actors.”

“Sandy Duncan brings a fresh perspective and a humorous dimension to Amanda Wingfield, the matriarch of the family and fading southern socialite,” Stroman said.

“As the play unfolds, the onstage tension between mother and son is even more passionate knowing that Sandy and Jeffrey are mother and son in real life.”

An opening reception will follow the first evening performance on Thursday when the audience will have the opportunity to meet Duncan and the entire cast and crew.

Ticket prices range from $15 to $32 depending on performance times and seat location.

Group discounts are available.



Onstage

What: “The Glass Menagerie.”

Where: Mountain Playhouse, Route 985, one-half mile north of Jennerstown.

When: Tuesday through Sept. 27.

Tickets: $15 to $32 depending on performance and seat location; $8 for students.

Information: 629-9201, ext. 105, or visit mountainplayhouse.org.