WATERFORD TWP., Mich.–Monster Box Theatre presents the Tennessee Williams masterwork, The Glass Menagerie, directed by Stacy Grutza, (Oleanna, Dinner with Friends, Lost in Yonkers) with Joe Sfair as Tom, Maria Kelly as Amanda, Mary Dilworth as Laura, and Jeremy Kucharek as Jim. The play opens on Friday, June, 8th at 7:30pm and concludes its run Sunday, June 24th at Monster Box Theatre at 2529 Elizabeth Lk. Rd, Waterford, MI.

This semi-autobiographical account of Tennessee Williams’ early days in 1930’s St. Louis is a heartbreaking and often funny “memory play” told from the perspective of Tom Wingfield. The Glass Menagerie is the story of a family desperate to break free of the burdens of both their past and present. Tom’s mother, Amanda, has been abandoned by her husband, and now lives only for her children; his unmarried sister, Laura, is a fragile and painfully shy creature who retreats into a world of glass animals. Tom himself is torn between his poetic inclinations and the responsibility of supporting his mother and sister. Each escapes into their own personal “glass menagerie” as a means of eluding the pain of their own – and each other’s – existence.

“We have a great cast of newcomers to Monster Box theatre to bring this production of The Glass Menagerie to life,“ said Director, Stacy Grutza. Grutza also designed costumes and collaborated on set and lighting design with Monster Box Theater Artistic Director Paul Stark.

A Streetcar Named Desire is the classic American tragedy set in New Orleans in the late 1940’s. The cast is headed by Elaine Riedel as Blanche DuBois and Stephanie Stoiko as her troubled sister, Stella Kowalski. Blanche has been thrust through her tragic history into a world of fantasy and lies which now torment her and from which she cannot and will not escape. Matt Szakal plays Stanley Kowalski, the often abusive husband of Stella who doesn’t hesitate to often also confront Blanche. Paul Popa Plays Mitch, a close friend of Stanley’s and the one man who could possibly help Blanche escape her fate. The cast is rounded out by Audrey Levy as Eunice, Manny Shields as Steve, Alex Macksound as Pablo, Anthony Phiri as Young Man, Kaprice Mills as the Negro Women, Shelby Bradley as the Matron and Maria Moyet-Bermudez.

A Streetcar Named Desire is directed by Al Barlett (The Odd Couple, Fuddy Meers) opens June 15^th and runs alternating with The Glass Menagerie with performances of each on June 17^th and June 24^th and closes July 1^st at 2pm.

Performances for The Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire will be Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, and Sunday June 10^th and 24th at 2:00pm and June 17^th at 7:30pm. Ticket prices range from $13.00 (for Members) to $22.00 at the door. Student, senior and group discounts are available.

For tickets, call the Monster Box Theatre Box Office at 248-787-1400 or buy online @ www.monsterboxtheare.com.