Theater Review: CCSF’s ‘Our Town’ Could Be Our Town

“Choose the least important day in your life. It will be important enough.” 

That is one of my favorite lines from Thronton Wilder's “Our Town.” As you get older you realize that every day is precious, and it’s sad we don't know that when we’re young. This play teaches us to value life as we are living it. 

 In her introduction, Cape Cod Shakespeare Festival director Francesca James told the opening night crowd that the group broke with their tradition to solely perform Shakespeare and selected “Our Town” to celebrate the 250th anniversary of “this great experiment called America.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning play showcasing a quintessential small town USA received that prestigious award for drama in 1938 but continues to resonate with audiences today. For Cape Cod audiences this summer, seeing a play set in a small New England town is more impactful seeing it performed in a small New England town.

 When Wilder’s play debuted, Broadway plays were of the Ziegfeld Follies type: big productions, flashy sets, ornate costumes, lots of props and expansive sets. So for “Our Town,” the playwright chose a minimal set and had his actors pantomime most of the action without props, and that’s how the play has been performed since then. That simplicity makes the play's message hit harder: life is valuable, and every small moment matters. 

 My theater companion said she loved this technique, and she told me I had to mention Howie Newsome (Thomas Biamonte) the dairy farmer who delivered the milk with his horse, Bessie. She said she thinks his pantomimed struggle with the horse is symbolic of the struggles in life. “You just keep going and being kind to one another as you do your job” is a metaphor for what “keeps small towns like Chatham thriving.” Biamonte did such a great job with the “horse” that one could visualize the stubborn animal. 

 In the play, the Stage Manager (Alan Rust) narrates the ordinary lives, loves and deaths in Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 with simple, dramatic clarity that cuts to what it means to be human. He even takes questions from the audience. Rust centers the tale in a simple yet dramatic fashion. His exchange with Professor Williard (Bernard Cornwell) was hilarious. 

 Wilder's script centers around the Gibbs and the Webb families. It’s easy to see why. Not only do the two families live next door to each other, but Doc Gibbs (Reid Williams) and Editor Webb (Christopher Andrew Rowe) are two of the most important people in town. Both actors convey different kinds of men and are also different fathers. Gibbs is a more traditional parent and Webb a more sympathetic and relaxed one. Williams and Rowe each turned in understated but incredible performances. 

 I think I felt most sorry for Mrs. Webb. During the play we learn she never knew her husband until their wedding day, she yearned to go to Paris ("Only it seems to me that once in your life before you die you ought to see a country where they don't talk in English and don't even want to") and she never got to spend her "legacy" on herself. As Mrs. Webb, Holly Hill was radiant and captured all her emotions and frustrations perfectly. Shelby Barrett-Whitmore as Mrs. Gibbs was equally relatable. Loved their conversations together! 

 The linchpins or cornerstones of Wilder's Americana story are Emily Webb and George Gibbs. Their love story is touching, moving and poignant. Gus Cook is sweet and so adorable as the besotted George. Laura Axelrod captures Emily’s wild soul yet gentle demeanor perfectly. A powerful performance. 

 The entire cast turned in memorable performances: Pedro Fonts as the town drunk, Arlene Bozich as the busybody Mrs. Soames, Scott Hamilton as the funeral director, Logan James Danielson as Wally Webb, and Sylvie Weimer as Rebecca Gibbs, with Ace Agnes, Todd Cashdollar, McKenna Whyte-Shearer, Chelsea Sasserson and Kathy Hamilton as the rest of the townspeople. By the way, someone should tell CCSF they need to add the bunny who hops around the park to the program. He made another appearance on opening night! 

 Carol Odell’s new scrim made special for this show enhanced the production and made it even more relatable. It kind of resembled Chatham’s Main Street to me. The tableau on the hill of the group at the funeral in the rain was also very effective. Sharon Martin and Tessa Dufrene’s intricate costumes were stunning. Rachel Landy’s spot-on sound design was instrumental to the production, too. Stage manager Bailey Dahl and assistant stage manager Brienna Notaro oversaw every second of the production with keen eyes. 

 No matter how many times you see this little over 90-minute play, it leaves you in tears and makes you reflect on your everyday life. The outdoor setting in a small town park only adds to the experience.