Timeless inquiries posed by Thornton Wilder in 'Our Town' reverberate with personal significance for everyone, asserts Constance Alexander
In the heart of the city, Murray's Playhouse is set to bring Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, "Our Town", back to life. This timeless drama, which resonates with audiences worldwide, will grace the Playhouse stage from August 15 to 24.
First produced by Murray's Playhouse in the 1988 season, "Our Town" tells the story of a small New England town, striking a chord with urban and rural communities alike. The play's simple yet profound narrative and metatheatrical style make it an ideal tool for engaging audiences in universal themes of life, death, and community.
Terry and Judi Little, a local couple, are the proud sponsors of this current production. Terry, reflecting on the themes of the play, shared that he and his wife didn't realise how close they were to the themes when they decided to sponsor the show. The Littles believe that "Our Town" has made a difference in their lives and hope it will do the same for audiences at Playhouse in the Park.
The 1988 production of "Our Town" marked the beginning of a new season at Murray's Playhouse. One of the standout performances was by Catie Bates Robinson, who, at ten years old, can still recall her speech at the end of Act I. Catie's character, Rebecca, was particularly impressed by the concept of a letter fitting all the address details onto an envelope and being delivered by the postman.
The unique staging of "Our Town" requires all actors to sit on stage throughout the play, even when they have no lines. This was also the case in a production Liz Bussey Fentress, former Playhouse in the Park executive director, was part of at Louisville's Actors Theatre. After the run of this production, some of the cast started a tradition of getting together for a potluck meal and a reading of "Our Town", which they called "Our Town" Church.
Community readings of "Our Town" are used as a tool to engage audiences in these universal themes, fostering sincere and meaningful dialogue about everyday life and shared human experiences. These readings can be particularly powerful in addressing local or communal issues by creating a space for collective reflection and understanding.
Ticket information and exact showtimes for the Murray performances of "Our Town" are available online. Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of this shared cultural experience, and to reflect on the fundamental aspects of human existence and social life with your community.
The Littles believe that the play "Our Town" has made a difference in their lives and hope it will do the same for audiences at Playhouse in the Park, fostering sincere and meaningful dialogue about everyday life and shared human experiences. Community readings of "Our Town" can be particularly powerful in addressing local or communal issues by creating a space for collective reflection and understanding, making it an ideal tool for engaging audiences in universal themes of life, death, and community.
