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Our Town
By Thornton Wilder
Directed by David Cromer
Produced by the-hypocrites
At Chopin Theatre’s studio theatre
1543 w. Division Street
Chicago, IL
Call 773-472-7352, tickets $20
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm
Sundays at 2 pm
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes with 2 intermissions
Through June 8, 2008
“This is the way we were.”
“My, wasn’t life awful—and wonderful.”
--quotes from Our Town
Moving Our Town deeply effective
David Cromer not only directed the-hypocrite’s production of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 Pulitzer Prize winning play, Our Town, but he performs quite effectively as the Stage Manager/narrator. Cromer’s sly wit with his disarming command drives home Wilder’s classical work into out psyche. He breaks the fourth wall as he brings us into the world of rural New England. Our Town is essentially an ode to small town America as it is set in Grover’s Corner, New Hampshire in the early 20th Century. Our Town takes us through the daily routines of life through the eyes of two families—the Gibbs and the Webbs. Cromer utilizes Wilder’s minimalist style that emphasizes “emotions--in the mind—not in scenery” (from Wilder’s stage notes).
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Cromer, as the Stage Manager, guides us into the world of 1901-1913 as he deftly depicts the tone and mood of the static life of rural New England. Nothing changes much in Grover’s Corner. George Gibb (Rob Fagin) and Emily Webb (Jennifer Grace) are neighbors and teens who gradually discover they love each other. George is a star high school baseball player and want-to-be farmer while Emily is a super student who loves George deeply. Act one of Our Town introduces the beginning of the cycle of life by aptly depicting the mostly uneventful routines of daily life. The minimalist stage (using only 2 tables and chairs) emphasizes character development and emotions nicely. Jennifer Grace and Rob Fagin are terrific together with a fine mixture of innocence and suppressed sexuality. John Byrnes, as Dr. Gibbs—the father and Stacy Stoltz, as Mrs. Gibbs together with Tim Curtis’ Mr. Webb and Samantha Gleisten’s Mrs. Webb offered nice performances.
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Act two deals with marriage—a forgone conclusion of life in 1903 America. We see George and Emily’s last minute apprehension about getting married so young but their need for human companionship prevails. The awkwardness of parents when advising their children about the expectations of marriage ring loud and clear. The marriage part of the life cycle is fulfilled.
Act three finds many of the characters we have grown to like deceased as the scene changes to the hilltop cemetery. It is 1913 and Emily has just died in childbirth with her second child. She meets Mrs. Gibbs among the dead as she passes into eternity. Emily begins to realize that she took for granted the everyday little things that make life enjoyable. She learns that the meaning of life is mostly lost on the living. The cycle of life is complete with death.
David Cromer exudes the deep themes that Wilder has penned through his richly imaginative staging and the strong truthful performances of his players. This is a subtly powerful drama that gets us to understand that life is lived in the precious little moments. We appreciate life and those around us more after seeing Our Town. Take the family to see this wonderful time capsule.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008
Jeff Recommended
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