A Message from the President

By Jim Petsche
Posted: December 8, 2010

Timeless "Town" May be the Perfect Play

OUR TOWN may be the perfect play: a script spare and simple; themes universal and timeless. TOWN is about what it means to be human (our frailties as well as our strengths), and what it means to be a member of a community in many forms.

As producer of the Curtain Players offering OUR TOWN – on stage at the Harlem Road playhouse through December 18 – I have rediscovered the wonder that is Thornton Wilder's lauded work. Always a favorite, its charms, its craftsmanship, and its relevance are clearer to me.

Grover's Corners is a microcosm. The turn-of-the-last-century New England village that is OUR TOWN easily could be any of today's inner cities, regional outposts, or farm towns. The Webbs and Gibbses could be any family anywhere. Maybe this is why Wilder's work – winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1938 – remains in high esteem and such an evergreen, possibly the most produced play in America, a story accessible to and embraced by schools, church groups, community theatres, regional houses, even the theatrical mecca of New York.

Unfortunately many take the script literally, dress TOWN in quaint period garb, and so, miss the point. Even Wilder and original Broadway producer Jed Harris differed on presentation. The playwright for a reason notes in the stage directions, "No curtain. No scenery." Wilder published his own edition of TOWN to correct "tasteless alterations" Harris made to dialogue in the script.

Wilder's tale is not a folksy homage to days gone by. It was never meant to be. It is a thoughtful piece, and although laced with humor and warmth, not overly sentimental. TOWN poses serious questions and ideas we mull today. Its characters are flawed. Yet the tone is positive. Life goes on. And it reminds that life's precious moments are fleeting; we cannot forget to savor them.

It is easy to delight in the young love of neighbors Emily Webb and George Gibbs or to wax nostalgic on some seemingly more innocent era, but listen carefully to the Stage Manager as Wilder's iconic character walks and talks us through the years. There is something familiar and contemporary there.

In the cemetery: "... Civil War veterans. Iron flags on their graves. New Hampshire boys had a notion that the Union ought to be kept together, though they'd never seen more than fifty miles of it themselves. All they knew was the name, friends – the United States of America. And they went and died about it." Does that not apply to many of the young men and women who fight in today's war on terror?

A growing fear in the community, wariness over technology: "Everybody locks their house doors now at night. Ain't been any burglars in town yet, but everybody's heard about 'em," the Stage Manager says. Regarding the latter, "And now they're bringing in these auto-mo-biles, the best thing to do is to just stay home."

A view of marriage: "I've married over two hundred couples I my day. Do I believe in it? I don't know." There is a hint of cynicism on the tradition of marriage, evident in continued debate years on.

OUR TOWN is not just a perfect play from this somewhat academic perspective. From personal experience, TOWN is an apt vehicle for this "community in theatre."

For Curtain Players, OUR TOWN has been a surprise. It was not the first choice for this holiday season. When rights to the chosen play were lost to another Curtain had to find a replacement with the familiarity and appeal of, well... an OUR TOWN. Jill Taylor, chair of the reading committee, posited "Why not OUR TOWN?"

Inspired by the recent acclaimed off-Broadway production, Taylor proposed stripping away the obvious conventions for a more stoic presentation, one that is true to Wilder's vision and makes the play more vital and moving to a modern audience.

It has been a treat to watch this company of actors and behind-the-scenes talents bring OUR TOWN to vibrant life, because to do so required the creation of a community itself. Stage vets and those who have never before been in a play learned from, looked out for, challenged, trusted, and supported each other as do the friends and neighbors of Grover's Corners. Community theatre by design focuses on a more personal enjoyment and exploration of the art form from creation to presentation, not unlike living day to day, with its many beginnings and endings, in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.

And in the spirit of community, Curtain Players again conducts a food drive to benefit Westerville Area Resource Ministry. We use our stage to give a hand up to those who may need it.

Whether this Curtain Players presentation of OUR TOWN is perfect is a judgment call for those creating it and watching it. Whether they agree or disagree on the final result, there can be no doubt that Wilder's work is moving, meaningful, heartfelt, and lasting, and Curtain Players is proud to have this opportunity to share it.

Signature of Jim Petsche