Review: OUR TOWN at Asolo Rep is Simplistic and Powerful

The Asolo continues its season with the timeless play, Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," directed by Desdemona Chiang. Any time I see this classic piece on stage I am drawn to its simplicity. The show is typically done without a set or props and relies completely on the characters themselves to tell the story of life and mortality.

"Our Town" has been a staple of high schools, colleges, and has been performed on more stages than one can count. While the play is more of a non-illusionistic, presentational drama, it is also a depiction of small-town life and how we as living beings rarely value that life and existence until we are gone from it.

The play is set during the early 1900's in the town of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire; a fictitious town of simplicity. Emily Webb (Caroline Mixon) and George Gibbs (Alex Benito Rodriguez) are high school sweethearts. Both actors display an innate presence that represents the innocence of the times as well as provide the audience a sense of hope.

Doc Gibbs (Greg Watanbe) and Mrs. Gibbs (Summer Dawn Wallace) are George's parents; Mr. and Mrs. Webb (Gregg Weiner, Diana Coates) are Emily's parents. These onstage couples do a magnificent job in supporting and enhancing the storyline. While the Asolo, deviated slightly form the traditional no set approach, these actors were magnificent as they mimicked and portrayed the settings and actions in a realistic manner that created a strong visualization. This was further enhanced with the lighting design by Xavier Pierce. The Act III lighting sequence was especially powerful.

The Stage Manager (Kenn E Head) is not only a character in "Our Town" but is the godlike main character who sets the stage for the play, offers detailed explanations to the inner workings of the town and provides insight to the characters we see develop before our eyes. Head, like many in the show, plays varied parts throughout the story and was engaging and entertaining. The fourth wall was broken numerous times during his scenes but was always done in such a way to further engage the audience. I would guess that some would question this choice but to me it made me feel like I was being shown a story with a narrator to help bring it to life and tie all the pieces together.

The show truly has an ensemble feel. The cast sits in a rectangle and actually presents a very modern day feel despite the show being set in the early 1900s. There is a strong connection between the characters as each provide depth and detail to a tale that really has very little on the surface. Act III which focuses on the after life is extremely well depicted and showcases the differentiation and maturation of each character we had seen throughout the first two acts.

"Our Town" was an ideal choice for the Asolo especially given their safety protocols for their performers. It is a story that will bring you back to a simpler life and at the same time remind you that the end is always the same and life should be celebrated before the time has passed.

"Our Town runs through March 26th. Tickets and more information can be found at www.asolorep.org.

Photo Credit: Cliff Roles

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