My friends, I haven’t much of pretty Chautauqua to post today. I was in tech rehearsals for over 12 hours yesterday, didn’t get home until after midnight, and will be back at it today. Normally, I tend to stay away from the first day or so of tech rehearsals as those rehearsals are about lights, sound, costumes, and entrances and exits – and not about my end of things. But since the tech/dress time is so short and the available time to help the actors in this phase equally short, I’ve been on hand. The director is letting me grab actors as needed to give them a note or two. It’s an efficient way of working, I must say.
But it makes for a very long day.
And, in any spare time I had, it rained.
I love this theater. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Chautauqua and was a lecture hall at one time. A few years back – not sure how many – it was redesigned and it’s now a beautiful theater. It’s almost church-like in the interior. I’ll try to grab a shot or two this week.
Needless to say, I’m tired. But I slept in today so I’m good to go.
Our Town. To my mind, this is the perfect play. And the most profound.
So many people, including myself at one time, tend to think of it as a ‘high school’ play. Or as something dated and maybe slightly hokey.
That could not be further from the truth.
Thornton Wilder explores love and life and marriage and birth and death in the fictional setting of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire. The set is bare bones. The story is narrated by a character called the Stage Manager. The characters spring to life as the Stage Manager ‘conducts’ the action. And through this incredibly profound microscope of a play, we explore fundamental life experiences. There’s not one issue in the play that doesn’t strike a chord within the audience. There’s nothing superfluous. There’s no excess. There’s only heart and soul and the mysteries of life and death.
I cry every time I read it or see it.
The last act, which takes place in a graveyard, is stunning. It raises questions about death. What happens when we shed this ‘mortal coil?’ How and where do we go, if we go anywhere at all? What about those left behind?
All of us have experienced loss. I had to cope with loss at a fairly young age, when two of the children I babysat died from different cancers. I’ve lost friends who died too young. I’ve lost friends to suicide. A student of mine was murdered in a drive-by shooting. I’ve lost more friends than I count to AIDS. I’ve lost aunts and uncles and grandparents. I lost my brother. And I lost my mother.
Through it all, just like every person on earth, I’ve contemplated the mystery of death – and the fear of death. What happens? Is there more than this earthly existence?
The Stage Manager speaks of the dead experiencing a ‘weaning’ away from earthly concerns.
I don’t know anything for sure. None of us do. But the genius of Our Town is that we are taken on a journey through watching the fictional town of Grovers Corners and its inhabitants, a journey that leaves us deeply moved and not-quite-the-same as before.
When Don was in this play last fall, I was terribly moved and shaken and tearful at the end. And now, I’m feeling that way almost every day.
There’s nothing more important, is there?
If you ever have a chance to see a production of Our Town – go.
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Wednesday.
I have never seen a stage production of Our Town, but now I really want to. Somehow in the back of my mind, I remember briefly watching on television, a black and white production of it. I was a child, and it didn’t hold my interest, but of course now I could appreciate it. Thank you for continuing to post daily. Would so love to get up to Chautauqua. Looking at their map, would you recommend a certain area to stay? I’m guessing they are all equally good!
I have no suggestions about that, unfortunately. I don’t know enough about it. But I hope you get here sometime, Kathy!
You know that bucket list that most people make? Mine includes seeing a play, live. I have seen taped plays, but to be in the seat, watch the actors as they go through their roles, the change of the scenery, everything going on live would be an experience I want to be a part of. Our Town seems to be the type of play I am talking about. Thank you for always sharing with us your job.
Hugs,
Deb
Oh you have to go see a live play! There’s nothing like it, Deb!
I would love to see this play also. I need to start checking the local theater productions. With the University here I’m sure there are some opportunities. Prices hopefully lower so I can afford it. I’ve seen many musicals, but only a few plays.
hugs,
Linda
I hope you can see a live production, Linda. You are in a university town, so that will definitely help!
Good Morning Claudia, I love the theatre building. They kept it true to the area. The play sounds excellent. Hope your day goes well. Doris
Me too! It will be a long one, that’s for sure!
What an eloquent post, Claudia. The theme of the play, and your long work days, both, sound emotionally draining. I hope that you can take a walk today, to restore yourself with the beauty of nature.
I fear there will be no time for that. Dinner break and that’s about it!
I have never seen Our Town on stage but I can imagine how wonderful it is..And you ladies who have never seen a live play..Claudia is so right..there is nothing like it and you will be so glad that you went..
I wish all of you could see this one!
I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Our Town either. I love live productions, and have seen quite a few, but not that one. Did I ever mention one of my sons is an actor? He’s been in several different local productions…he loves it, and works at it, as his day job allows. Just a few more long days for you…and then you’ll be home. Hope they go quickly for you, and the rain stops! ;)
I did the same thing for many years before I went to graduate school. I worked 9 -5 and did all my acting in every spare moment I had. Good for your son!
Claudia, what a wonderful post! Our Town is one of my favorite plays! In 1974, I was nineteen and an English major at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. I was taking Theater 101 as an elective which required we attend rehearsals and work on a production of a play. UA was doing Our Town and we all discussed how timely the play was with current events! That was 40 years ago but it seems like yesterday! Great play! I’ll be on the look out for it again!
It’s as timely today as it was when it was written, Lottie!
We studied this play in American Lit when I was in HS. I remember it was written in the late 30’s (I hope that is right! I should have looked it up) and I can still remember our wonderful teacher talking about the relevancy of the work to the late 1960s. Good books, good plays ~ they always seem to span the decades, and the discussions never end.
This one generates as much discussion as it always has. I can’t imagine it will ever be irrelevant, Chris!
Like you, I cry every time I see it and sometimes when I think about it. It touches a very deep place in my heart. Once, I attended what was called a community dinner production of “Our Town” and was surprised that we each had a part. In between dinner courses, we sat in a circle and were randomly assigned parts to read for that act. People of all ages and backgrounds read the various parts and most of us were in tears by the end. I think this is my favorite play!
The production Don was in involved the greater New Haven community – mostly as people in the graveyard and at the wedding, but it was really moving. Our Town became New Haven, CT.
Just had lunch with my husband and the discussion led to Our Town. He saw it in 1966 when he was just fifteen at Sanford University in Birmingham, AL. Lots of great memories!
Great memories. I cried again today at tech rehearsal! Can’t seem to stop, Lottie
Though I’ve never seen a live production of Our Town, I have seen the old movie from the 1930s on TCM. It is a beautiful story. And makes me cry whenever I see it. It really makes you look at your every day life in a different way.
It sure does. Emily says, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it – every, every minute?” And the Stage Manager says, “No. The saints and poets maybe. – They do some.”
It kills me every time I hear it.
Perfect summation of “Our Town.” It is so timeless, and so American too, although I think it would translate well in just about any culture. It was the first live play I ever saw, and definitely one of the best plays ever written. Long live Thornton W!
Long live one of our greatest playwrights. He was – I’m just going to say it – a genius.
I’m ashamed to tell you that I’ve never read and/or seen Our Town. But, I think I will try to read it this summer. Sounds interesting
Judy
Don’t be ashamed Judy. You’d be surprised how many people have read it but not seen it before. I hadn’t seen it in years before last fall’s production that Don was in.
I’ve seen it, but can’t remember where or when. Definitely very moving. June was filled with so much heartbreak and loss. I sure hope July is better. Take care, Tammy
I do, too. You’ve had a tough time of it lately, Tammy.
How you are managing to post is beyond me,let alone so wellLive theatre is incomparably special….although I am an infrequent attendee.This piece sounds so intriguing. I am melting in the ongoing heat here and from that end,feel free to send the rain over.Do take care!
Just picked up Spoon River Anthology to read once again. xxoo
I went to see a live play of ‘Oklahoma’ a few decades back. There was a man sitting next to me that had something on the bottom of his boots… I had to sit through the entire play and smell it…won’t say what it was, but ick. And the only line I remember from the play was “Thar’s a storm a comin’.” It was a great play… just too bad about who I had to sit by. Would love to see another, and they have them from time to time here in the Roanoke area. Dinner theatre also . That would be great fun!
I’ve never seen this play– your description of it causes me to WANT to! We have a few community theaters- not the big ones in Dallas- but small town theaters within an hour in several directions. I should go online a see what’s playing!
I have been fortunate to have season tix to a repertory theater with a group of friends for the past two seasons. This coming season, we decided to go for it and get the entire season of seven plays. Previously, I’ve seen mostly musicals, which I enjoy immensely, but seeing a play is such a different experience. I have to be on the look out for Our Town. You’ve sold me on that one, Claudia.