Over the years I have seen several productions of "Our Town," but the best one was the first one I saw as a teenager in 1953 at a small stock company theater in Saint Louis. June Lockhart played Emily (this was before she starred on TV in "Lassie") and June's father (the great character actor Gene Lockhart) performed the role of the Stage-Manager. It was scheduled for a one-week run, but because of standing-room only each night, it was extended for 2 more weeks. The evocative lighting was very impressive. A few years ago I discussed this production with June and she had very fond memories of being on stage with her father. She agreed that it was a first rate production, that the director and lighting technician were excellent and the stock company actors were very good. As I said, my first experience of this haunting play became the gold standard by which I judged all other productions of it that I saw later.
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Our Town is not "an all-American play"--it is an all-time, all countries masterpiece. When performed by a good cast in any country, it will leave its audience moved to tears by its celebration of everyday life and human connection.
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Give me a break. While the play has universal appeal, it is 100% apt to describe it as an all-American play as done in this article.
I don’t know how I ended up never reading this Pulitzer Prize winning screenplay or seeing a high school rendition of “Our Town.”
But then I saw the play with Paul Newman as the Stage Manager in the latter stage of his life. I enjoyed it, but thought it “contrived even silly” as I’m an atheist.
In 2009 I was hospitalized from a severe beating. I worked at rehab to get my brain and muscles working in tandem again. Just remembered the pain and my failures in physical therapy each day. I couldn’t even understand the stories in newspapers brought to me.
Then a nurse found a tattered well worn copy of “Our Town” and gave it to me. (along with some Daniel Steele romance novels--which I never cracked open)
I read the play slowly (My brain was at 20%) imagining Paul Newman managing the characters, staging, and props.
Then I read it again, this time tears welling up and streaming down my face. I re-read it a dozen times.
For me it wasn’t about God or heaven or the afterlife. It’s how we live day to day. I know I sound naive, but it was a large part of a long HARD rehab and road ahead.
This is life. We can choose to savor each moment...or not. I now look for the silver linings and am not so quick to stereotype and judge.
We’ve got your six Manchester!
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Your post was very moving. Thank you for sharing your memorable experience.
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When I saw the headline with the word “terrorized”, I clicked on it out of curiosity to see which British city it could possibly be. I don’t know of any British city that merits being described that way, but I was especially stunned that it turned out to be my home town.
Manchester doesn’t do “terrorized”, any more than it did after the IRA bombing or the Christmas 1940 blitz. I don’t want to minimize the losses that people suffer, but the community picks itself up and goes about its business, and the people get together as one – a City United.
And the wonderful story beneath the headline proves my point. You’re only terrorized as a community if you over-react or go to pieces, which gives your attackers exactly what they want.
Incidentally, “Our Town” may not be a staple of drama in Britain, but it’s by no means under the radar, as Sarah Frankcom’s awareness of it testifies. I remember being very moved as a youngster hearing it on BBC radio.
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Absolutely agree. As a Mancunian, it was great to see how the city simply refused to be terrorised by this atrocity. We have come through far worse in the second world war. Manchester endures because of its vitality, its people, and its refusal to be bullied by anyone.
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I saw a wonderful production of Our Town at Barrow Street Theater on moving to NYC 8 years ago. A beautiful play that spoke to this British ex-pat "fresh off the boat" and feeling homesick. I loved it. What a great choice in what is - by the way - a very special theatrical space.
We love you Manchester - you are handling this one with great grace and courage. God bless.
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That Barrow Street Theatre production (which made a star of it's Chicago director David Cromer, who will be represented on Broadway this fall by "The Band's Visit") was done in London last year, again using modern dress with the Brit actors using their own accents.
I saw a production of Our Town in Provincetown expertly directed by David Drake I recall.
On Broadway Paul Newman starred in the Wilder play
at the same time Lanford Wilson s
"Book of Days" opened. The Wilson play should have starred Newman--every bit as good of a play
This is an inspired choice! Yes, this play has the power to heal.
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Maybe "Our Town" will catch on, so to speak, all over again here at home in the US. So many of our places could use this kind of juicing of our spirits.
Good work, Manchester and your artistic players!
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I attended a 2016 production of OUR TOWN in a foreign country -- Canada.
The esteemed Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, did it -- impeccably.
While its ambience was authentically American, this heartfelt production made the play's universality abundantly clear.
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