WAKEFIELD- Nothing is more delicate than family, not even a glass menagerie.

The Contemporary Theater Company presents the "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams, opening April 23. In one of America's finest dramas, this play follows the struggles of the Wingfield family after Amanda Wingfield's husband has left her and their two children, Laura and Tom. While Laura struggles to find her place and Tom struggles to get out of the dead-end job he's been forced to take, Amanda does her best to hold on to her family and her glorified past.

All of Amanda's hopes for their future rests on the shoulders of Jim O'Connor, a potential love interest for Laura, but he may not be able to stand up to Amanda's demanding expectations. This heart-breaking masterpiece of American theater reveals the true costs of breaking into the world of your dreams.

After the success of its recent musical at the Towers in Narragansett, The Contemporary Theater Company is excited to return to classic American drama. Considered one of Williams' best, "The Glass Menagerie" first appeared on Broadway in 1944, and won the prestigious New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945. The show was revived on Broadway in 1965 and again in 1983, and the script is commonly explored in classrooms nationwide.

"This is certain to be a captivating and eye opening experience," said Director Stephen Strenio. " Williams' script contains such complex, beautifully written characters in a story that is half illusion, yet his writing makes each moment identifiable in our own lives. I'm sure you will find our version of this timeless classic is as refreshing as it is traditional."

The show stars South Kingstown residents Beth Berry as Amanda Wingfield, Haley Ladd as Laura Wingfield, Matthew Royality-Lindman as Tom Wingfield and Nevan Richard as Jim O'Connor. The Contemporary Theater Company's production will also feature music composed and performed by Naseer Ashraf of South Kingstown.

"The Glass Menagerie" will show Friday, April 23, Saturday, April 24, Friday, April 30 and Saturday, May 1 at 7 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, April 25 at 2 p.m. General admission tickets are $12 and may be purchased at the door, through the box office or online at www.thecontemporarytheater.com. The show will be held in the South Kingstown High School auditorium at 215 Columbia St. in Wakefield and is handicapped accessible. This show is not affiliated with the high school drama program. For more information call (401) 228-5175.