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"Jim," (Derick Walden) and "Laura, (Nikki Waite) pose with "The Glass Menagerie" director Jan Williams Smith after the show's opening night at Centerpoint Theater. They are holding an old movie poster from the show. Rachel Trotter

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"Amanda" and "Tom," played by Jennie Richardson and Berlin Schleger, talk ob Friday, Sept. 25 after opening night of the play "The Glass Menagerie" at Centerpoint Theater.

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CENTERVILLE — Centerpoint Theater’s production of the “The Glass Menagerie” isn’t filled with laughs or very uplifting, but the show is superbly acted in an intimate setting, providing for thoughtful moments for the audience and personal introspection.

The play is playwright Tennessee Williams’ breakout semi-autobiographical play. The cast and crew have been working on the show for several months and their hard work paid off on last week’s opening night. The set was perfect for the show and the stage was intimate, with the audience only feet away from the performance in the theater’s smaller Leishman Performance Hall.

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While the play was set in a 1930s St. Louis apartment, the walls were more like the walls of an outdoor warehouse, with spray-painted words that are weaved throughout the play. Director Jan Williams Smith wanted it that way. “We wanted it to be a conglomeration of memories of his mind,” Smith said of the lead character, Tom, played by Berlin Schlegel. Other things were added like a music Victrola and a tea cup, although most of the eating scenes were only with pretend food and dishes. Smith wanted to make some parts stand out more than others.

The picture of Tom and Laura’s father is also prominent on the set as they refer to his absence and desertion often in the show. The picture is actually a photo of Schlegel.

Schlegel said he has always wanted to play the role of Tom, and it was obvious by his careful and exact portrayal of the complex character. The same is true for the mother in the show, Amanda, played by Jennie Richardson. Richardson and the other three cast members were able to evoke emotions from the audience. Some silently wept as harsh realities came across, others laughed nervously.

Centerville resident Nona Swenson said she couldn’t laugh at some of the ironies in the show, because she found them to be sad. “I just can’t laugh, I just keep thinking, ‘Thank God that’s not my family,'” Swenson said. Swenson remembers seeing the play in a television or movie format with Jane Wyman (It was a 1950 film that co-starred Kirk Douglas). “It’s been a while, but it’s very true to how I remember it,” Swenson said. “It’s really pathetic for them, but the show is really good. The acting is good, all of this is very good,” Swenson said, motioning to the stage.

Elaine Burningham and her friend Coleen Simmons, of Layton, are frequent visitors of the Centerpoint Theater, but have only seen the musicals. This is their first play in the smaller theater. Neither had seen “A Glass Menagerie” before. “I’m still making a judgment. I’m not sure what I think about the play, but the acting is excellent,” Burningham said. Simmons said that’s why she loves coming to the Centerpoint, because the performances are always excellent.

Schlegel was happy with opening night. “It’s just so good to get out here and get to the show,’ Schlegel said as he laughed with Richardson.

Smith agreed. “I am thrilled at the leap these wonderful actors have taken. To be able to work with the caliber of acting is very special,” Smith said.

Bountiful resident Mallory Hilton loved the show. Her mother is the stage manager for the play. “I enjoyed the realism. It’s not your typical fairy tale. It’s how real life is,” Hilton said. “The acting was phenomenal. I felt the pain of their feelings,” she said.

The show runs Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays until Oct. 17. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://www.centerpointtheatre.org or at the box office, 525 N. 400 West, Centerville.