When Tennessee Williams’ play “The Glass Menagerie” premiered in Chicago in 1944, it catapulted the Columbus-born playwright from relative obscurity to fame. It also introduced the world to the Wingfield family, Amanda, Tom and Laura — a faded Southern belle of a mother, her restless son and shy, sensitive daughter. Only one additional character is ever seen on stage, but that does not mean others do not exist. At least 30 unseen characters are mentioned or referred to in the classic work, says professional actor, playwright and director David Roby of Birmingham, Alabama. Audiences will soon meet many of them in Columbus.
For Roby, these characters live and breathe; they have history and dimension. He gives them a voice in “Unseen Character,” which he wrote and will direct during the 15th annual Tennessee Williams Tribute Sept. 8-11. The multi-day event founded and nurtured by Columbus’ Brenda Caradine celebrates the literary legacy of Williams, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner whose first home was the rectory of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where Williams’ grandfather was rector. The structure, relocated from College Street to Main Street, now serves as Columbus’ welcome center and a museum.
In addition to Roby’s “Unseen Character” and another of his plays, “sometimes there’s God so quickly,” the Tribute also presents an opening night gala, free acting workshops, a “Backstory Breakfast” with scholars, a catered luncheon, the “Stella” Shouting Contest and “Tom’s Columbus,” a morning of lively discussion in Williams’ childhood home.
The four-day event offers area residents and visitors alike not only entertainment, but insight into the man often called “America’s greatest playwright,” a man whose family and Mississippi roots so influenced his work.
A gift
“Unseen Character” took shape while Roby was the Tennessee Williams Fellow in Playwriting at the University of the South (Sewanee) from 2010-2012. (Williams left his estate, including copyrights, to the university.)
“It was the 100th anniversary of Williams’ birth during my tenure, and I just felt when I was there that it was my responsibility to pay some kind of homage to him,” Roby explains. “I wanted to give him back the gift, so to say.”
The theatrical production consists of monologues by characters referred to, but never seen, in “The Glass Menagerie.” Bringing them out of the shadows never felt labored because Roby heard their voices so clearly.
“I believe they have such life just in the interior lines that these other characters (on stage) say about them,” he says. “They were so rich to me, I almost felt like these monologues were writing themselves.”
If a writer of Williams’ caliber included them in his play, Roby feels the author must have seen those characters clearly, too, and that served as inspiration.
Hello again, Tom
As in “The Glass Menagerie,” the character Tom Wingfield acts as a narrator in “Unseen Character,” weaving together the monologues. And as Daniel Talley of Columbus did in the Tribute’s 2014 production of “The Glass Menagerie,” he again portrays Tom.
“I really do feel that when it comes to Tom here, it’s a continuation; we’re picking up with him trying to make sense of so many things in his life,” says Talley.
The actor finds Roby a motivating force.
“He seems like an actor’s director, someone who isn’t concerned with just putting on a play, but rather with really conveying the heart and soul … ”
Several of the actors note that Roby infuses wit in his writing, as Williams was adept at doing.
“My character is hilarious,” says Chelsea Petty, who will portray an unseen character referred to only as a “fat lady” Tom encounters at the movies. Beneath the humor lies insight, however.
“There are so many different emotions; I love the variety the monologues have,” Petty adds. “Some are very serious; some are just hilarious. Others are angry and threatening, and some are just pitiful.”
Laura Beth Berry delivers two monologues in the production — one as Laura Wingfield, the fragile daughter she portrayed in 2014’s “The Glass Menagerie” in Columbus. Its more serious tone contrasts with Berry’s embodiment of Ella Cartwright, an acquaintance of Laura’s mother, Amanda. In Williams’ original play, Cartwright is an unseen character at the other end of a phone line. In Roby’s monologue, she becomes “flesh.”
Roby is focused on helping actors tap into the poetry of each character.
“I think one of my favorite things about Tennessee Williams’ writing is that he combines this perfect marriage of realism and poetry … whether it’s in characters seen or unseen, there is such a poetry brewing underneath them.”
“David is so very creative; he knows his craft,” says Vicki Hill who will have two monologues, one as Amanda’s mother and another as Ida Scott, whom Amanda tries to sell a magazine subscription to over the phone. “We get to get into these characters and make them come alive.”
Gala play, acting workshops
The Tribute will bring Roby himself into the spotlight. An opening night gala at the Rosenzweig Arts Center Sept. 8 showcases him in his one-man play, “sometimes there’s God so quickly.” He portrays 19 characters, including someone from Columbus. In it, the audience meets people Roby interviewed while researching Williams in Mississippi.
“His writings, almost every play, are about some character searching for sanctuary, and when we look at it that way, his plays really do have a divine thread in them,” Roby says. “No matter what peoples’ opinions may be of his lifestyle, when we return to the work, when we listen to what these people have to offer, we realize he was a man of God.”
The gala includes a silent auction, with some Williams-related memorabilia, music and heavy hors d’oeuvres, says Jerry Fortenberry, chair of the Tribute host committee.
Free acting workshops with Roby are offered Sept. 9 and Sept. 10, open to all interested, regardless of experience.
“We’re also excited to showcase the (Williams home) welcome center this year, where scholars will discuss Tennessee Williams’ life and work the morning of Sept. 10,” says Fortenberry.
The Tribute Board of Directors and supporters look forward to celebrating the event’s 15th anniversary. Fortenberry praises founder Caradine for her dedication in seeing that it has continued.
“It’s certainly a milestone,” he says.
How to go
For a schedule of events and details, visit tennesseewilliamstribute.org. Several events are free. Some require tickets, priced $20-$60 (senior, military and student discounts available). A special “Desire Pass” for $100 includes priority admission to the gala, “Unseen Character,” the scholars’ luncheon and access to all other events. Tickets are available at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St.
For more information, call 662-368-TLW1 (8591).
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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