Tenn
by Aaron Scully
Directed by Julie George-Carlson
First Run Theatre
July 31, 2026
Dorothy LaBounty, Kelli Rao, Kevin Bailey, Matt Newlin, Charles Huevelman
Photo: First Run Theatre
The first Broadway run of Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie has become the subject of legend over the years. The show, and particularly Laurette Taylor’s performance, has been the subject of hypothetical “time travel” wishes for years. First Run Theatre’s new production, Aaron Scully’s Tenn, tackles some of those legends in a mild de-mythologizing way, in a well-cast production at the Kranzberg Arts Center under the direction of Julie George-Carlson. It’s an imaginative effort that seeks to humanize the legends in low-key but intriguing manner.
The play isn’t one story as much as it is a series of vignettes depicting the writing and producing of The Glass Menagerie. Here, we get to know Williams, or “Tenn” (Matt Newlin), and his friends and colleagues, including his agent Audrey Wood (Kelli Rao), director/actor Eddie Dowling (Kevin Bailey), producer Louis Singer (Charles Huevelman), actress Laurette Taylor (Dorothy LaBounty), and Tenn’s creative and romantic partner Donald “Donny” Windham (Kyle Reeves). The story isn’t strictly linear, jumping ahead and back in time as needed, and the pacing is leisurely, for the most part. It’s never dull, but there could be more tension at times, especially at the end of the first act. There’s a lot of fascinating information here, particularly concerning Taylor, and Tenn’s own self-doubts, and the result is entertaining and informative, although it could use a bit more drama at times.
The cast is uniformly strong, with good ensemble chemistry. All the players inhabit their characters well, with a particular standout being Newlin in an amiable performance as Tenn, bringing out the writer’s insecurities as well as his obvious talent. LaBounty is also memorable in a melancholy turn as the aging, widowed, gin-loving Taylor, making it clear that there’s a great talent amidst the grief and too many martinis. Rao, Bailey, Reeves, and Huevelman also turn out solid performances, lending to the overall tone of the show.
The physical production is strong, as well, with an excellent set designed by Brad Slavik and painted by Rachel St. Pierre, consisting of both furniture pieces and three large backdrop pylons that turn to show different backgrounds. The scene changes are a bit long at times, occasionally disrupting the flow of the show. There’s also good work from lighting designer Mike Gasparich and sound designers Addie McGrath and Lili Holland, as well as costume designer Lauren Smith Beardon, contributing to the overall 1940’s atmosphere of the story.
Tenn is a fascinating story, told in a low-key manner that could occasionally use a little more in the way of dramatic tension. It’s episodic, but the order of the “episodes” makes sense in the overall telling of the tale. There’s a lot of fascinating information here, and it’s a good effort of bringing these theatrical legends down to earth a bit. It’s running for one more weekend, and it’ worth checking out while you still can.
Matt Newlin, Cast and Crew
Photo: First Run Theatre
First Run Theatre is presenting Tenn at the Kranzberg Arts Center until August 9, 2026
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