The Glass Menagerie by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, Tennessee Williams, is now playing at Fountain Hills Theater.

Shari Watts, who plays the role of the mother, is a well-known Valley actress. Watts has performed on numerous stages, including Phoenix Theatre, Invisible Theatre, Tempe Live! Theatre, Stagebrush, Hale Centre Theatre, Theater Works and others. She has garnered more than a dozen nominations and awards over the years.

Principals at Fountain Hills Theater said they are honored to have her perform on the local stage. She was asked what drew her to this show.

“When I was young, I always wanted to play Laura (the daughter in the play) as I identified with her in many ways but the opportunity never appeared and so I aged out of it,” she said.

“I saw ATC's production of The Glass Menagerie a few years back, and was sparked by the Amanda role and immediately put it on my bucket list. That is part of the reason I auditioned. The other parts were Ben Tyler as director and the space itself at FHT is perfect for intimacy of this play.

“I was drawn to this character because of what I see in her. I have seen her played almost as a buffoon and/or a very vain or self-absorbed woman with no depth. This is one of the great female characters in American Theater, and one of those characters you can never stop exploring as an actor.

“But the play itself stands only as strong as all the actors as an ensemble, and I feel we have a fantastic, talented cast to bring the piece to life in such an impactful way.

“I am so pleased to be able to play this role for the first time.”

Watts implored theater-lovers to see the play at the Fountain Hills Theater and “support the arts and your local theaters.”

Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Oct. 30.

Call 480-837-9661 ext. 3 or visit fhtaz.org for tickets and additional information.