Script packs emotional punch in ISU Theatre production of "Our Town"
Only a few pieces of scenery dot the stage. A ladder represents the second
floor of a house.
A bare stage has become synonymous with "Our Town," the Thornton Wilder
American classic play set in the early 1900s in small town New Hampshire.
"Part of what makes 'Our Town' so wonderful is that the stage is practically
bare," says Jane Cox of ISU Theatre and the play's director. "While
the costumes are realistic for the era, the emphasis in 'Our Town' is on
acting and emotions."
ISU Theatre will present "Our Town" over two weekends in Fisher Theater
beginning Friday, Sept. 29. Show times for that performance as well as the
Sept. 30 and Oct. 6-7 showings is 7:30 p.m. Matinee productions (2 p.m.)
are set for Sunday, Oct. 1 and 8.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play begins with a stage manager walking on stage
and setting the scene, "The date is May 7, 1901 just before dawn."
Act I is called "Daily Life"; Act II is "Marriage and Love"
and Act III is "Death".
By the time 12 years pass in Grovers Corners, N.H., and the performance
draws to a close, the characters have made discoveries about the ordinary
and extraordinary days that comprise every life.
"I think 'Our Town' appeals to every generation," Cox says. "It
looks at daily life, love, death and eternity. Thornton Wilder writes about
two families and their life experiences in the early 1900s.
"The hearts and souls of these characters is what's important. The
love and tragedy that the characters experience is the same as we experience
today and will long into the future."
Throughout the play, the stage manager (portrayed by Joel Perkins) will
turn to the audience and ask them to reflect on how they feel about what
they have seen take place on the stage.
That got Cox thinking about when she first saw "Our Town" in Denver
as a high school student.
"'Our Town' was the very first professional production I saw,"
she said, "and it really changed my life. This play made me determined
to live a life where I noticed life around me and enjoy the simple things.
"Anyone who sees 'Our Town' recognizes something about themselves in
the script," Cox continued. "This is a script that still speaks
to the audiences long after they leave the theater."
Other major cast members include Jeff Mason, Dr. Gibbs; Malary Harris, Emily
Webb; Matthew Lampe, George Gibbs; Jack Klein, Mr. Webb; Carrie Taylor,
Mrs. Gibbs; and Genya Coffey, Mrs. Webb.
Tickets are currently on sale at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office and
are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and children. Tickets
may also be purchased at 515-233-1888.
Matthew Lampe and Malary Harris as George Gibbs and Emily
Webb
