The famous opening line, “This play is called Our Town. It was written by Thornton Wilder,” has been delivered on stages all over the world by the likes of actors such as Michael Sheen and Jim Parsons. Now, this “slice of life” extraordinary examination of the ordinary comes to the East Bay at Chanticleers Theatre’s production of Our Town.
Director Christine L. Plowright’s production of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 play transports audiences to the idyllic sights and sounds of the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire at the start of the 20th century. Through the efforts of “The Stage Manager” (played by Michael Sally), theater goers witness all of life’s hallmarks as childhood wonder, young love, death and eternity all take center-stage in this exploration of life itself.
The crux of Our Town is without question the performance of Sally as The Stage Manager. Sally brilliantly breaks the fourth wall in a series of monologues directed at the audience while also stepping in to fill various roles such as the town’s bartender.
While most plays focus on creating a suspension of disbelief, Sally and the supporting cast constantly remind audiences what they’re witnessing is a play which makes for a refreshing theatergoing experience. Even sequences in which actors on stage interact with “plants” in the audience reciting scripted dialogue cleverly muddle the line between fictional and real.
Other standout performances include that of George Gibbs (Jack Singer) and Emily Webb (Malia Duff). Singer and Duff demonstrate a masterful on-stage chemistry as their characters’ arc of young lovers who evolve with the growing challenges of adulthood and societal expectations can easily resonate with audiences.
Kim Saunders excels in her portrayal of Emily’s overprotective mother, Myrtle Webb, as her mannerisms and line delivery effectively sells her character’s dynamic. Matt Beall’s depiction of Dr. Gibbs, George’s stern but fair father, comes with a versatility that cannot be matched.
Much credit is also due to the stage design and the work of Chanticleers stage manager Ian Nguyen, technical director Alexandria Volk and stagehand Lisa Papciak. The use of pre-recorded sounds and the vocal direction of the choir aid in establishing Grover’s Corners’ agrarian lifestyle while highlighting the more spiritual motifs of the show, respectively.
The deliberate choice not to have actors use utensils or any props outside of the basic chairs and tables seen on stage is in keeping with how other productions of Our Town have been done on Broadway and beyond.
For fans of films that are similar in tone such as Train Dreams and The Bridges of Madison County, Chanticleers Theatre’s production of Our Town is a quality show suitable for audience members of all ages. The runtime is roughly two hours, 40 minutes (including two 10-minute intermissions).
Chanticleers Theatre’s ‘Our Town’
Sept. 18-Oct. 24: Fri / Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm
Chanticleers Theatre
3683 Quail Ave., Castro Valley
chanticleers.org
Tickets: General: $38.43, Senior: $33.23, Student: $17.63
