CRIGHTON PLAYERS OFFER A FRESH LOOK AT ‘OUR TOWN’
A Pulitzer Prize winning, most produced play in American theater history; a sitting local judge, and the talented granddaughter of a celebrated director all come together next month when THE CRIGHTON PLAYERS present “Our Town,” Thornton Wilder’s masterpiece about life in a 1901 New Hampshire village called Grover’s Corner.
It’s a play often taken for granted. Maybe this is because it was force-fed to so many of us in junior high school; or perhaps because it’s produced over and over, seeming to be always on stages somewhere.
Yet, since we think we know “Our Town” so well, we may glaze over the dominant ideas that show ordinary life minus the big screen journeys that we imagine for ourselves. Ordinary people live ordinary lives under quite ordinary circumstances. They die, and the next generation takes up at the same place. Sometimes individuals wait for life to happen, and at the end realize that it already has happened, and, tragically, maybe they missed it. None can go back and live over even the single most unimportant day.
As Gregory Boyd, who directed “Our Town” at Houston’s Alley Theatre said in as interview last October, “It’s real theme is that we know our lives are limited, yet we make the mistake of living as if we were going to last forever.“
Oh, “Our Town” is the sentimental story of high school sweethearts, all right, but it’s also an unbending, hard, and heartbreaking allegory.
CP director GRACE THOMPSON, near a legend in her own time, directs this three act vehicle that spans 10 years, with each act representing one day of that time. Grace’s (and PETE THOMPSON’S) granddaughter TAYLOR WINBERRY portrays pivotal character Emily Webb, the girl who grows up to marry her childhood playmate, George Gibbs (PATRICK NEFF), and who dies young in childbirth.
DALE TRIMBLE, town newspaper editor, and TERRY LYNN HALE depict Emily’s parents. George’s parents are CP veteran JUDGE KATHLEEN HAMILTON and CP newcomer NEAL LENHART. The cast includes a milkman, newspaper boy, undertaker, professor and the myriad of cogs that energize small towns.
Key character is the “stage manager,” W. WILLINGHAM, who narrates the unfolding story, traditionally done on a minimalist stage with few props and simple costumes. Sometimes characters stand in a group and recite their lines from among all the players.
The message is one that watchers will meditate upon for days after the extraordinary experience of seeing life truths presented so simply, yet so profoundly.
“Our Town” runs March 5—28 at Conroe’s Owen Theatre. Call (936) 539-4090 to reserve.
It truly was a “weekend to remember” for the 20 accomplished women chosen to represent area non-profit groups at the MONTGOMERY COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS SOCIETY gala fund raiser, Mardi Gras Ball, February 13, at La Toretta on Lake Conroe. Choice of representatives, identified as the “King’s Court,” was based solely on 2009 volunteer services, and crossed organizations in addition to the sponsor of each.
SHARON SHAW worked for weeks amassing biographical data and photos from the 20. AMY SOWERS and LYN HAWTHORNE, co-chairmen of the whole event, not only worked on every detail, but sacrificed themselves, being constantly present, making sure the 20 nominees felt as special as they are.
For the honorees, the festive weekend began with a “rehearsal” on Friday evening where they were given sparkling rhinestone crowns, while their male escorts gathered in a hospitality suite to determine which lady would be declared queen of the ball. ANGELA GRAVES, representing STAGE RIGHT, was the ultimate winner, with Princess ELIZABETH EHRMAN, of MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK, coming in a close second, all of which greatly enriched MCPAS coffers. King of the ball, ROGER GALATAS, waited with royal demeanor to see who his queen would be.
Before happy hour began Saturday eve, each representative entered along the sweeping staircase, tossing beads as the crowd chanted the traditional “Throw me something!” Zydeco music gave an authentic New Orleans air.
Once seated inside the ballroom, attendees got a close up view when each representative was formally introduced with curtsies to King Roger and Queen Angela, then with deep bows to the revelers. The King’s Court also received keepsakes and flowers.
Lyn summarized the MCPAS ideal. “Our goal was to highlight the diversity of our many community organizations and to emphasize the ongoing success and cohesiveness that volunteers bring to each one.”
“You ladies sure made it hard for us to choose,” Amy observed when presenting gifts.
Next year’s ball is March 5 at La Toretta.
CONROE SYMPHONY LEAGUE invites all orchestra supporters to its annual soup and salad dinner Thursday eve at 6 in the Conroe Symphony Centre. Please call (936) 760-2144 so there’ll be a bowl with your name on it.
