Luckier ones were able to head to the city of Boston to watch the play while less luckier ones (like moi) just had to content with soaking in the ZQ flurry, digitally.
Although, if you had been one of those taking photos during curtain call, you would have been the subject of Zach's wrath.
Being a frequent theatre goer, it is a really rude thing to do, and despite his manner of tweet (I hardly found it insulting - because people who don't show others respect, don't deserve any in my books.), that tweet caused a furor from self-entitled people everywhere.
Ahhh... the internet. Where trolls love crawling out from the woodwork and into forums.
Anyway, on a happier note, a bunch of ZQC-ers managed to make it to the play despite that horrible blizzard that was swirling around the East Coast of USA in February.
Here's Lindsay's report on that fateful weekend:
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On February 7, 2013, I headed towards Boston to see Zachary Quinto in "The Glass Menagerie" at American Repertory Theater. Also headed towards Boston was the big blizzard Nemo. My experience of these two powerful forces is linked irrevocably.
We were looking forward to seeing "The Glass Menagerie" on Saturday night and meeting with Zachary after. However, the blizzard had other plans. Friday night, Saturday matinee and Saturday night performance were all cancelled because of bad weather.
Nora, Jani, and Jennifer, members of ZQC, were also there to see the play. We messaged each other anxiously from our different locations around Boston about the date cancellations and options. Finally, we all got rescheduled for the play on Sunday evening.
But alas! We heard that Zach would not be able to meet with us. We still plowed our way to the American Repertory Theater as we wanted to see him on stage. As part of the set, there were two octagonal platforms suspended over a pool of dark reflective fluid. Tennessee Williams wanted the set to be like memory, with pockets of clarity in the murkier surrounding.
Tom (Zachary Quinto) steps into the light and introduces the play. He begins his monologue as an older Tom, a merchant sailor, and ends it as the Tom at the time of the story. “Yes, I have tricks in my pocket. I have things up my sleeve. But I am the opposite of a stage magician. He gives you illusion that has the appearance of truth. I give you truth in the pleasant disguise of illusion.” Young Tom looks in his late 20’s and has the self-absorption of youth. His southern accent has extravagantly dramatic tones. I can imagine him throwing himself on the sofa, rolling his eyes, and proclaiming, “Oh Mooother!”.
Bryce Lambert from Boston Lowbrow reviewed the play and said, “As Tom, Zachary Quinto is something of an incarnation of Tennessee Williams. He’s sly, poetic, and a little effeminate.” I thought that there was maybe a hint of Chad in Zach's take on Tom, but definitely no Sylar! Nor Spock, Louis, nor Thredson. What a versatile actor!
I particularly related to Laura, as played by Celia Keenan-Bolger. As a child, I too was crippled, sickly and terribly shy. Celia plays that well and still gives us glimpses of strength. Her Laura can emerge from the shyness, dance and even be kissed by her Prince Charming. At least momentarily.
Cherry Jones, referred to by Ben Brantley in his NY Times review as “perhaps the greatest stage actress of her generation”, plays the usually reviled Amanda as a sympathetic character. At the era reflected in "The Glass Menagerie", it was even harder than now for a single mother to raise children alone. Especially when the Depression hit. A young woman like Laura who couldn’t hold down a job had few options other than marriage. Amanda’s nagging, while irritating, is perfectly understandable. Ms. Jones gave us a living, believable character.
In the second act, Brian J. Smith as the Gentleman Caller, Jim, was invited home by Tom. He comes on the stage with a bombastically positive tone that is a sharp contrast to Amanda, Tom and Laura. Like a breath of fresh air, Jim pulls Laura out of her cocoon. He is so engaging that everyone flirts with him, even Amanda in her girlhood ruffles and Tom with physical banter.
There is talk of "The Glass Menagerie" going to Broadway if timing can be worked out. Zach hinted that his future plans might involve more theater closer to Times Square. Aha! No wonder Zachary brought Noah and Skunk with him! Go Zach!!!
After the performance Nora, Jani, Jennifer and I hurried to the area where we have been told the cast would emerge. To our delight, Zachary emerged soon after, all long and lean and gorgeous! He spotted us, smiled and came right over.
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| Lindsay, Nora, Zachary Quinto, Jennifer, Jani |
Nora finally got to meet him, after missing him in Kuwait, Ojai and New York! Jennifer and Jani were warmly greeted too. We got to snuggle up to him for a group photo. No dogs – he said he’d sent them home earlier. It was cold and we were all bundled up so, sorry, no biceps in view.
Maybe if he goes to Broadway with the play, we’ll finally get to see him in warmer bicep-exposed weather!
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Well, I certainly hope so too. For if "The Glass Menagerie" ever makes it to Broadway, I am soooo there, and ready for my biceps to meet Zach's biceps!
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Thanks to Lindsay for the write-up!
Pic credit for group photo: Louisa Preson
Other photos taken from American Repertory Theatre's Facebook page
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