Let the actors of the Buzzards Play Productions bring you into the world of Tennessee Williams as they perform his heartbreaking classic, "The Glass Menagerie."

The Glass Menagerie was Williams' first hit play, premiering in Chicago in 1944. It's autobiographical, and tells the story of Tom (the character who represents Williams, and who's played my Michael Dexter of Buzzards Bay) and his family.

"It's very deep. Lots of emotional ups and downs," says Dexter. "It's probably, acting wise, one of the biggest stretches I've had."

With Tom's father having abandoned the family long ago, what's left is Tom's delusionally optimistic mother, Amanda, played by Susan Shaw, and his cripplingly introverted sister, Laura.

Laura gives the play its name, with her predilection for doing not much other than sitting and tinkering with her collection of glass knick-knacks.

Eighteen-year-old Paulie Devlin of Plymouth is taking on the role of Laura.

"I really really love this character. She kind of reminds me of myself," says Devlin. "She doesn't necessarily come from the best family, but they all love each other."

Devlin said that she first got into acting because her parents wanted their shy daughter to get over her fear of people. She found that she loved acting, and has been doing it ever since.

Susan Shaw says she hasn't performed in 20 years, but the role of Amanda was one she just couldn't turn down. "I love this role! It's next to Blanche in 'Streetcar,'" she said referring to another of Williams' works, "A Streetcar Named Desire."

Playing the "gentleman caller," Jim, is Jesse Romano. Amanda wants desperately to pull Laura out of her dream world and thinks that setting her up with a gentleman caller will give her the push she needs.

Romano discovered his love for acting much the way Devlin did. "I got into acting because I was astonishingly shy," he says.

The show is scheduled for April 5 and 6 at 7 p.m., and April 7 at 2 p.m.  It will run again the following weekend, April 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., and April 14 at 2 p.m.

General admission is $15. Admission is $12 for seniors, students, and veterans with proper identification.

Buzzards Play Productions is located at 3065 Cranberry Highway in East Wareham.