The Cast of the Providence Players production of “The Glass Mendacity” -- From left, Elizabeth Keith, Ian Wade, Michael Donahue, Julie Janson, Beth Whitehead, Craig Geoffrion Photo by Chip Gertzog/Courtesy of Providence Players of Fairfax
Where and When
“The Glass Mendacity” presented by the Providence Players of Fairfax at James Lee Community Center Theatre, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Performances May 29-June 7. Thursday-Friday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. matinees on May 31 and June 7. Tickets: $17-$20. Call 703-425-6782 or visit www.providenceplaye….
“The Glass Mendacity,” the name alone draws quizzical smiles with its off-kilter, double-take title. It is a parody play created by mixing and mingling Tennessee Williams’ iconic dramatic characters and situations into a lighthearted comic production. It will be brought to local audiences by the Providence Players of Fairfax (PPF).
“We pride ourselves on the variety we offer our audiences and in each of our seasons we typically include a comedy that is simply laugh-out-loud funny,” said Janet Bartelmay, president, PPF. “We loved the idea of producing a spoof of some of Tennessee Williams' classics.”
“The Glass Mendacity” was written by Maureen Morley and Tom Willmorth from Chicago’s “Illegitimate Players.” The two developed their send-up of all things Tennessee Williams with an eye to bending what was originally deeply intense into entertainment played for laughs.
Jayne Victor, director of “The Glass Mendacity” said the show “is brilliantly written; marrying Tennessee Williams’ dialogue with original dialogue for the very interesting intertwined characters” the audience will come to know. Furthermore, it is “vibrant, and colorful.”
Each of “The Glass Mendacity” cast members has a “gift of comedy at its finest” including timing and pacing, added Victor.
Cast member Julie Janson said the show was one of “the funniest plays I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I laughed out loud repeatedly while reading it. So, I thought if reading it was that fun, performing in it must be a hoot.”
Another cast member, Ian Wade, called it “an incredibly funny show, even if you are not overly familiar with the Tennessee Williams’ plays it is spoofing. It has a lot of clever wit.” For Elizabeth Keith the play is “an absolute riot” while Michael Donahue noted that the scenes in the 90 minute, intermission-free production, have “layers of comic rhythms.”
The production will include a unique set with three separate spaces on the James Lee Community Center stage designed by Northern Virginia architect Raedun D’ Alba. The show will also include musical interludes provided by PPF veteran Barbara Gertzog who will match action on the stage action with music.
Inviting audiences to “The Glass Mendacity,” actress Beth Whitehead noted that “whether you know the plays of Tennessee or not, you will laugh and laugh a lot!”
“We want the audience to enjoy watching ‘The Glass Mendacity’ as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to them,” said actor Craig Geoffrion.