For three magical days in February, the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre transformed into a small New England town for The Storm King School’s winter stage production of Our Town– Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play.

Performed with minimal scenery and props, Our Town depicts daily life in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in the early 20th century. Three acts, spaced a few years apart, follow the changes in the town and its people. The story centers on two families, the Webbs and the Gibbs, while exploring human relationships, the fleeting nature of life, love, and death.

“Considered ‘experimental’ when it opened in 1938, Our Town does away with major set pieces and scenery and the cast mimes instead of utilizing traditional props,” explained Performing Arts Chair Anne Fulton. “The play repeatedly breaks the so-called ‘fourth wall’– the imaginary division between the world of the stage and the audience that nearly all drama respects.”

Throughout the play, the Stage Manager is the omniscient narrator who speaks directly to the audience, while also interacting with the other characters. “The cast has to mime their characters’ daily activities (cooking, cleaning, eating, delivering newspapers and milk) in a manner that is clear to the audience, but not overdone,” continued Mrs. Fulton. “It took a bit of rehearsal to get it right, but the student cast all handled it very well. The multinational cast also enhanced the universal quality of the play, adding freshness to the story of Grover’s Corners as a microcosm of life on earth. We had some very emotional moments in rehearsal as we explored Emily Webb’s realization that she hadn’t appreciated the beauty of her daily life while she lived it.”

According to Mrs. Fulton, and Sarah Fulton ’09 who co-managed the show, Our Town isn’t an easy play to produce, even though it may seem simple on the surface. “We had a great stage crew, led by Eliza Brown, and the lighting and sound was some of the best we’ve accomplished. Our student cast did a wonderful job and we were also fortunate to have two faculty members, Patrick Fulton and James Bennett, playing the Stage Manager and Simon Stimson, respectively. Now, we can’t wait for our upcoming spring show, High School Musical, which will be performed May 19-21.”

CAST OF CHARACTERS
Stage Manager: Patrick Fulton
Dr. Gibbs: Mohanad A.’25
Jo Crowell/Si Crowell: Regina R.’25
Howie Newsome: Anton B. ’24
Mrs. Gibbs: Taylor M. ’23
Mrs. Webb: Madison B. ’24
George Gibbs: Jack G. ’23
Rebecca Gibbs: Jiann L.’26
Wally Webb: Kaitlyn M. ’27
Emily Webb: Andrea L. ’25
Professor Willard/Mrs. Soames: Nina G. ’23
Mr. Webb: Kenzo S. ’23
Townswoman/Baseball Player: Matrena M. ’25
Angry Woman/Samantha Craig: Ana Paula A. ’24
Townswoman/Baseball Player: Eniola K. ’23
Constable Warren: Fernando M. ’23
Townswoman: Aitana G. ’24
Simon Stimson: James Bennett
Joe Stoddard: Dekai X. ’23