Susquehannock theatre department presented Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” Nov. 14-16, encouraging audience goers to reflect on their own lives and families.
The play, published in January 1938, is based on a story set in the 1800s with a minimalist stage. A narrator, played by sophomore Natalie Schanberger, guides the audience like a spectral observer through the lives of these two families, the Gibbs and the Webbs. The Gibbs family is portrayed by senior Henry Podlaszewski (Dr. Gibbs), loving senior Ava Miliauskas (Mrs. Gibbs), junior Joe Brady (George Gibbs) and freshman Liv Denis (Rebecca Gibbs). The Webbs family was played by senior Jacob Mott (Mr. Webb), junior Therese Masafu (Mrs. Webb), junior Tessa Foley (Emily Webb) and seventh grader Nick Benshoof (Wally Webb).
With a G rating and a run-time of two hours, they executed the plot well. With no special effects, the costumes were very appropriate for the 1800’s time period. The actors did an excellent job at making it seem like the audience was actually watching how people lived in the 1800s because what they were doing and saying seemed so natural.
Junior Joe Brady appreciated the costumes.
“I loved the costumes,” Brady said. “…amazing…, and they did the best they could, especially with the time period.”
The story captures the unlimited struggle between the dull and the unaccountable, reminding us that life’s true drama lies not in glorious moments but in graceful, momentary threads that connect all of us.
The sound boards, ran by junior Camryn Walsh and freshman Charlie Leedy, were utterly amazing. There was no feedback in the mics, and one could hear every voice extremely well. The lighting board run by freshman Rhys Sanders and junior Chloe Insley was also run with adept precision. They did really well with putting the spotlight on the actors at the right time. There was no delay in which lights needed to be shut on or off, which in this play really creates the dramatic effect that it needs.
I have mixed feelings about the lack of props because the original creator of this play, Wilder, stated that he wanted to highlight the idea of appreciating the small aspects of life, which I appreciated, but since it’s G rated, nobody outside of the adults would understand this. I wish there were more props only for that reason, but they did an excellent job pantomiming with imaginary props to get the idea across.
Director Mary Pohlig wanted to change aspects of the play, but was unable to due to the rights set by the director of the play.
Overall, attending the play was $6 well spent. I was moved by the play’s idea of taking value in everything, no matter how small it may be, showing how enjoyable plays with a deeper meaning can be.
