Sue's News

All of Our Town

February 10th, 2010

I know it sounds funny, a playwright not ever having read or seen a version of “Our Town.” It is one of the seminal American plays.

But, though I knew I “should” read/see it… I wasn’t really interested. I’d seen it done over and over again in popular culture that it almost felt like I’d heard it and seen it all before.

And then I started hearing about this amazing production at the Barrow Street Theatre, and I knew it was a production people would be talking about 50 years from now, and I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t see it.

The lucky woman I am, hubby took me as part of my birthday gift a few weeks ago. (Which made Emily’s revisiting her 12th birthday that must more resonant.) We met the gifted actress, Jennifer Grace, who played a multifaceted Emily with so much depth after the show — and she was even sweet enough to take a photo with me, to preserve the moment.

After the show, I thought about all the moments that pass each day without so much as a blink of an eye or acknowledgment… which is Wilder’s point exactly. What David Cromer’s direction and Michele Spadaro’s set design did with this production to make it so special was to remind us that even the most mundane moments are ones we can celebrate with all of our senses to really appreciate our short time here.

I won’t give much away, but I will give a bit of advice: Don’t go hungry, because the last few moments of the play might make your stomach growl.

This production has been extended until March 14th, 2010… (and this has already been extended a few times)… So before time runs out — GO SEE THIS SHOW!!! It is truly a gift.

–Sue

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