The new Rising Phoenix Theatre Company in Middletown has chosen Tennessee Williams' classic drama The Glass Menagerie as its second offering. This production has its flaws, but there is enough interesting work to make it worth seeing.

        Mr. Williams' beautiful play concerns the economically distressed 1930s Wingfield family. Overbearing matriarch and long-ago Southern belle Amanda wants to marry off emotionally shattered daughter Laura to provide financial security. Son Tom (Mr. Williams' alter ego) wants to get away from his mother and out of St. Louis, but he agrees to arrange for a gentleman caller to visit Laura before he flees.

        As Amanda, Kathleen Abrams nails the Mississippi accent and has some strong vocal moments, particularly when angry. But she lacks the restless energy and fluid movement needed in this former social butterfly who is now a desperate woman.

        Adam Ziemkiewicz is a likable Tom, but his performance is also missing something. Tom's first line to the audience is “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket, I have things up my sleeve.” Mr. Ziemkiewicz is so straightforward that we miss the detached dreaminess and wit fueled by pain that Tom needs.

        Catherine Elizabeth Cook makes a fine Laura and turns in the most complete performance. She is horrendously shy yet still expressive of the innocent hope that makes her plight tragic when we find that her dreams will be shattered like her glass figurine.

        As Jim the gentleman caller, Todd C. Elliott projects the right outgoing optimism and charm. Mr. Elliott and Ms. Cook work movingly together in the play's famous candlelight scene which is the highlight of the evening.

        Director Theresa Abshear (with composer Jay Brunner) makes the mistake of adding contemporary music to the background of several scenes in an attempt to sound relevant. There is nothing wrong with a bold theatrical choice, but it needs to be consistent with the rest of the production.

        All of the other design elements (set, costumes and interesting black-and-white video projections) evoke the 1930s. When Laura and Jim begin to dance to sexually charged music that sounds out of place, the result is unintended humor that almost ruins an otherwise touching and beautifully acted scene.

        The Temple Arts Center where Rising Phoenix performs is a comfortable theater venue, but it is 5 miles from I-75 in downtown Middletown and not particularly easy to find. You might want to call ahead for directions.
        The Glass Menagerie, through Sunday, Rising Phoenix Theatre Company, 4 N. Main St., Middletown, (513) 705-4131.

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