BWW Reviews: A Nostalgic Resonance in Strawshop's OUR TOWN

There are some plays that are just kind of done to death. Everyone and their brother, high school and dog have done them. Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" is one of those shows. But there's a reason for that, it's a classic. And when these classics are tackled with style and heart as is the case with the current production from Strawberry Theatre Workshop, we're reminded how they've become such classics and why we should pay attention to what they still have to tell us.

It's a much simpler time in the early 1900's in Grover's Corners, NH. No hustle and bustle like we know today and a smartphone would probably be viewed as witchcraft. But this slice of Americana still engages as we look in on the Gibbs family and the Webb family. It's just an ordinary day as Doc Gibbs (Rob Burgess) comes home from a late night medical call, Mrs. Gibbs (Marianne Owen) and Mrs. Webb (Sheila Daniels) are up making breakfast and trying to rouse their kids George and Rebecca Gibbs (Joe Cummings and Analiese Guettinger) and Emily and Wally Webb (Anastasia Higham and Alex Silva) and Editor Webb (Greg Lyle-Newton) is off to the newspaper office. All imparted to us by the ever present and somewhat outside the world Stage Manager (Amy Thone). And while it may sound overly simple and nostalgic, this play examines, life and love, birth and death and all things in between with themes that still resonate for us today even as we Facebook, Tweet and Instagram our days away.

Director Greg Carter takes the requisite "no set" aspect of the piece to a new level as the theater looks like it's not even completely built yet. And his constant use of playing and seating spaces within the audience makes for a truly immersive experience. Plus his tight ensemble shows off their connection to each other even before the play begins as they mill about chatting with the theatergoers.

Thone couldn't be a better casting choice for the role. A role that requires expounding so much exposition and setup in lesser hands could be deadly but Thone has so much presence and gravitas to her that you want to listen to every single word. The parents are the kinds of parents you always wish you had. Burgess is loving and jovial. Lyle-Newton is thoughtful and wise and his exchange with Cummings as the boy about to marry his daughter is priceless. Owen and Daniels show off tons of strength and care as the doting Mothers and Owen's final moments are beautifully haunting. Higham and Cummings are superb as the lovely and independent girl next door and the handsome and hopeful boy next door and layer some wonderful moments into their characters. I especially loved the sweetness of watching the two of them stammer out their feelings for each other. Their energy was completely palpable by the audience.

Simply put this is just a solid production of a masterwork from a bygone era. Whether you've never seen it or seen it too many times, this production is one to catch and so, with my three letter rating system, I give it an old fashioned YAY. But be sure to bring along the tissues. Yeah, it's a crier.

"Our Town" from Strawberry Theatre Workshop performs at 12th Avenue Arts through February 21st. For tickets or information visit them online at www.strawshop.org.

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