Our Town at the San Marco Theatre

[pwhitford]

I would like to encourage everyone to RUN, not walk, to the local production of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" at the San Marco Theater by Theatre Jacksonville.  It is a moving and heart-felt production that is uniformly and thoroughly enjoyable.  It was magnificent, not in  the sense of the grand or opulent, but in the sense that it was clear that it was a production by people who really loved what they were doing, passionate about the material and enthralled by the craft of acting.   

In an age of CG scenes and synthesized voices, staying true to originally intended "stark" stage setting is as riveting and evocative now as it was when it was first used in the 1930's (as a response to the overproduced theatrical settings that had become the norm at the time).  It also still forces the audience to focus on the acting and dialogue. Since "Our Town" is an undisputed classic of American Literature, we know the dialogue is often sublime.  But happily, and not surprisingly in this case, the whole cast, and especially the three main characters, are superb.  The Narrator slips effortlessly from omniscient guide to multiple characters in the play without a single ripple of "believabaility" to disturb our focus or the flow of the play.  As well, the actors performing George Gibbs and Emily Webb are enthralling.  Each brings sensitivity and depth to these incredibly endearing characterizations.  We watch George go from rambunctious youth to awkward but eventually responsible  young man, and finally(Spoiler alert!) to a shamelessly grieving husband,  Similarly, Emily Webb is riveting in every scene, especially as she carries almost the full weight of the final act to conclusion.  Each actor was clearly completely committed to their characters and the "in" the play.  This is not just local theater, its real theater and I encourage everyone to go see it and support this wonderful organization and and its fantastic production. 

[Charles Hunter]

When is it playing?  Dates, times??

[pwhitford]

Sorry, I guess I can't gush and be informative at the same time.

OUR TOWN
Book by Thornton Wilder

Theatre Jacksonville continues its Summer Classic in San Marco Series with Our Town by Thornton Wilder! Hailed as one of the greatest American plays ever written and groundbreaking for its time, Our Town is an account of everyday life in the small fictional town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. This American classic follows the lives of the Gibbs family, the Webb family, and their neighbors in the early 20th century and is narrated by the Stage Manager, who speaks directly to the audience. He describes the town, gives pertinent facts about Grover's Corners, and provides introductions to the characters as the story of the courtship and marriage of George Gibbs and Emily Webb unfolds. Brilliant in its minimalism and simplicity, there are also influences of classic Greek drama to be found: the Stage Manager as Chorus and the three-act structure as trilogy. Like its Greek ancestors, Our Town concerns itself with the continuing cycle of life and humankind's quest for greater understanding of eternity.

Our Town premiered in 1938, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and has become one of the most produced plays in the world. In fact, it recently received critical acclaim in a riveting off-broadway production - still relevant, absorbing and moving 71 years after it was written. It was last seen on the Theatre Jacksonville stage in 1965.

The central values of the play -- morality, community, the family, -- are conventional. However, the ways in which Wilder integrated these values into the work were most definitely outside the theatrical norms of his day and because of his innovation, an iconic piece of theatre was created. Minimalist scenery and props, mimed actions, and a main character who easily slides in and out of the action of the play were the components of a radical departure from the mainstream theater at a time when productions were known for their lavishness. It is this non-traditional approach that enables the audience to focus on the characters themselves and their stories rather than on their less important surroundings. These essential staging elements are at the heart of our Our Town as we bring this remarkable American Classic to life as the first production of Theatre Jacksonville's 92nd season.

Our talented cast includes Rick deSpain, Bradley Akers, Mark Roberts, Kara Matthews, Kaiya Matthews, Brenda T. Chapman, Jason Canning, David Eger, Michael Fisher, Jackson Roberts, Bobby Parker, Annie Garner, Kayce Clark, Bill White, Sarah Bartlo, Jacob Sims, Joshua Taylor, Robert Blade, Gray Houston, Matthew Ubl, Jennifer Carter, Virginia Pierce-Kelly, Lindsey Weirich, and Martha Lange. Andrew Dickson returns to Theatre Jacksonville to direct Our Town and is joined by Costume Designer Kimberley Rowan, resident Lighting Designer Jeffrey Wagoner, Foley artist Nick Despres and Stage Manager Lori Drake.

August 19, 20, 21*, 25**, 26, 27, 28*,
September 1**, 2, 3, 2011

Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00p.m. | **Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. | *Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

[pwhitford]

I'm sorry I can't identify the specific cast members and the roles they plaid by name, but I lost my program and don't remember well enough who played who.  But the whole cast is excellent  The three main characters and both sets of parents too are all done extremely well, as are all the parts, really.  It was just a great, very satisfying show.  Please go not just to enjoy and great night of good theater, but to support what I consider an invaluable local resource.  Thank you.

[Charles Hunter]

Thanks for the info, something to do next weekend - or the next!

[shakespearechick]

Thank you for the wonderful review!....Our Town is actually playing at Theatre Jacksonville - 2032 San Marco Blvd -

It runs August 19, 20, 26, 27, Sept 2, 3 at 8pm
           August 25, Sept 1 at 7:30pm
           August 21, 28 at 2pm

Tickets for this production are only $15 for the general public and $10 for students

Please call 396-4425 or check the website at www.theatrejax.com for more information.

[dougskiles]

Wow!  We went to see the play last night for the closing performance.  It was truly very good.  And even better was seeing people who I interact with on a daily basis performing.  A true community experience.  I can't wait for the next show.  If you haven't been to Little Theater in San Marco, I strongly suggest you go.