The Greater Escambia Council for the Arts is kicking off the new year by performing the classic Tennessee Williams play, “The Glass Menagerie.”

The play’s plot revolves around the narrator, Tom Wingfield, and his recollection of his mother, Amanda and sister, Laura, and their hope that a friend of Tom’s might be a possible suitor for Laura, who keeps a collection of small glass animals.

GECA Artistic Director Phil Johnson said the cast and crew have been doing a great job in rehearsal in preparation for shows tonight and Sunday, but he expects a small audience.

“Doing Tennessee Williams in a small town is like doing Shakespeare in a small town; it’s a tough sell,” he said. “I would be thrilled if we had 40 people in the audience for each performance. I’d be elated if we had 100.”

The show kicked off Friday night, but and encore performance will be held tonight, starting at 7 p.m. in the GECA theater on Trammell Street. That will be followed by a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10.

The play will be one of seven shows GECA plans to bring to Atmore this year, which includes a dinner theater in February and children’s theater later in the year.

The cast for The Glass Menagerie includes: Sharon Poulsen as Amanda Wingfield; Timothy Huber as Tom Wingfield; Dan Johnson as Jim O’Conner; and Ryan Garmeson as Laura Wingfield.