|
Our Town
By Thornton Wilder Nashville Repertory Theatre Directed by Micah-Shane Brewer Production Team Scenic Design - Gary C. Hoff Costumes Design - Melissa Durmon Lighting Design - Phillip Franck Sound Design and Composer - Kevin O'Donnell Props Manager - Lillian Hargesheimer Stage Manager - Isaac Krispin and Teresa Driver Wardrobe Supervisor - Kaitlin Steer Assistant Stage Manager - Will Farris Photos by Phillip Franck and Chad Driver Cast Katie Bruno, Jarvis Bynaum, Hudson Collins, Christopher Cooper, Bryce Dunn, Erica Elam, Galen Fott, Kyle Kennedy, Bakari King, Shawn Knight, Candace-Omnira LaFayette, Beth Ann Musiker, Wesley Paine, Evan Roberts, Deborah Seidel, Deiondre Teagle, Ella Vignon, Garris Wimmer. Press Coming Soon... Director's Notes When we came out of the pandemic, I remember feeling a sense of wonder and excitement as I slowly began to experience the things I had lost and taken for granted. Activities like going out with friends or experiencing the theatre with an audience were sorely missed. Re-connecting caused me to treasure what had been overlooked. Sadly, as life has returned to full speed, the simple moments sometimes fly by, and a day can go by where I often fail to appreciate what makes life so special. It’s quite astonishing that Thornton Wilder’s Our Town has stood the test of time, and I can’t think of a better play to produce in celebration of our 40th Anniversary season. Our Town is the quintessential American play. It emphasizes the beauty of our daily lives and reminds us to pay attention to the small moments. When Our Town opened on Broadway in 1938, Wilder couldn’t predict that the play would go on to become one of the most produced plays in history, winning the Pulitzer Prize for drama and translated into over 30 languages. Although the play was written 86 years ago, it feels just as important and powerful today. It continues to resonate across generations for its simplicity. It is a play about everyday life, yet it dives deep into the human condition, examining the passage of time, the fragility of life, and the profound connections we make in our communities. Wilder strips away elaborate sets and effects, inviting us to focus on the essence of life itself—our relationships, choices, and the fleeting moments we often overlook. Today, in a fast-paced, hyperconnected world, Our Town serves as a poignant reminder to look up. As we scroll through endless streams of information and are constantly pulled in multiple directions, the play calls us to slow down and reflect on the beauty of the present moment. It speaks to the importance of appreciating the simple, everyday things—the sound of a loved one’s voice, the rhythm of daily routines, and the small yet significant interactions that shape our lives. Today, we’re going to take you on a trip to Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, but this play could be right here in Nashville, TN. This community believes in the goodness of work, in commitment to their neighbors, in being useful, in protecting each other while respecting each other’s privacy, in forgiving and defending, and in freedom without judgement. They are ordinary people who are really quite extraordinary - just like most of us. Our Town doesn’t just ask us to look outward at the world around us; it challenges us to look inward and examine how we live our own lives. It asks: Are we paying attention? This journey back to Our Town has been a meaningful experience for our company, and I hope it is for you as well. When we begin to question the goodness in the world, Our Town reminds me that there is more that unites us than divides us. Micah-Shane Brewer |
|