Pioneer Theatre Guild presents “Our Town” starting Thursday (Feb. 6)
Pioneer Theatre Guild is proud to present the Pulitzer Prize winning play: “Our Town,” by Thornton Wilder.
This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet it presents Our Town as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed. Described by Edward Albee as “… the greatest American play ever written,” the story follows the small town of Grover’s Corners through three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage,” and “Death and Eternity.”
Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, audiences follow the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die.
Pioneer junior Alex Makovik shared his thoughts about playing the iconic role of the Stage Manager: “ Our Town captures the universal experience of being alive, which is what makes it far more than just an American classic. The stage manager is the narrator that guides the audience through the play. He is essentially the bridge between the audience and the stage, responsible for (quite literally) setting the scene the other characters act upon.”
Pioneer senior Caitlyn Schott is very excited to be playing the part of Emily Webb. She shared her thoughts about the experience, “Emily Webb is an intelligent young woman who falls in love with her high school sweetheart. On the surface, Emily and her life seems simple, but she is actually very complex. Throughout the play we see Emily and George discover their love for each other and their relationship blossom. When Emily looks back on her life she is very regretful that she didn’t appreciate moments while she was living them. One of my favorite quotes from Emily is, ‘It goes so fast. We don’t have time to look at one another.’”
Playing the part of George Gibbs is Pioneer sophomore Eliot Klus who said, “Being in this production is really such a privilege. Alex (Leydenfrost) has a vision for the final product, but the environment is extremely receptive to new ideas and bold choices. The cast feels like a family already and we gel really nicely, which honestly doesn’t always happen. The play itself is a joy to work on. Thornton Wilder’s script is bursting with realities and you truly learn volumes every time you go through it.”
The production is being directed by Pioneer acting teacher and Purple Rose resident artist, Alex Leydenfrost. “ This is a stellar cast of Pioneer students who are bringing their best effort to every rehearsal. Actors will be making full use of the entire space, entering and exiting through the aisles of the Little Theater. We hope this connects the audience to the play and the characters with more intimacy.”
Profile: Pioneer’s Caitlyn Schott has found her lifetime role on stage
Profile: Pioneer’s Alex Makovik is all in when it comes to being an actor
Profile: Sophomore Eliot Klus had no choice when it came to performing
BOX OFFICE
Tickets: $10
Reserved Seating Tickets are available and on sale now HERE
Tickets will also be available at the door prior to each performance.
All performances are in the Little Theater.
Performance Dates:
● Thursday, February 6, 7:30 pm
● Friday, February 7, 7:30 pm
● Saturday, February 8, 7:30 pm
● Sunday, February 9, 2:00 pm (matinee)
