Thorton Wilder's "Our Town" is a play familiar to many. Hardly anyone completes high school without reading, performing, or watching this play. I have read this play, watched my peers perform this play, watched my oldest son and his theater class perform this play, and next month with watch my youngest 2 thespians execute it once again. I must say, I am slightly "Our Town" weary. I should say, I was "Our Town" weary, until last night!
I had the opportunity to attend the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company's production of Wilder's "Our Town" in the restored ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute in Historic Ellicott City. The unique concept that the audience moves along with the actors walking from scene to scene is what brought me to the venue. I highly recommend this theater experience to all.
The play is narrated by the Stage Manager portrayed by Dave Gamble who begins the play by walking up the gravel lane dressed in his brown blazer, vest and hat. He hasa folksy speach, a New England accent and a storyteller's description, as he lays out the "scenery" of the town around the landscape. Perhaps it is also that this is the first time I have seen this play with age appropriate actors, but I know I was immediately transported to Grover's Corners.
This is a perfect marriage of the play and the ruins where this performance takes place. The haunting sound of the actual train was almost timed perfectly with the train sound effects of the show. As the sun began to set to twilight, the Stage Manager was describing dawn, and the effects matched perfectly. Later in the, as the wind began to russle the leaves in the trees we were approaching the town cemetary. Both sent a chill through me.
For those unfamiliar with the play, the story is rich in the sweetness of small town life, family homes and young love. It's end is striking, abroupt and thought provoking. After witnessing this performance, I do not know that I will ever enjoy seeing this in a theater again.
There is only one more weekend to see the Chesapeak Shakespeare Company performance in the ruins.
