Overview
Synopsis
A landmark in American drama, Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning Our Town tells the story of a small town, Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, in order to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over. Narrated by the “Stage Manager”, we follow the Gibbs and Webb families, residents of Grover’s Corners, through twelve years of life changes -- from the mundane in Act I, “Daily Life,” to the romantic in Act II, “Love and Marriage,” to the devastating in Act III, “Death and Eternity.” Through the young lovers Emily and George, their strong and loving parents, and the many other Grover’s Corners’ locals, Wilder delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. “Oh, earth,” Emily Webb exclaims towards the play’s end, “you’re too wonderful for anyone to realize you.” With humor, wit, and exceptionally powerful storytelling, Our Town offers a unique opportunity for audience members to make precisely that realization.
Show Information
- Book
- Thornton Wilder
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1938
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Simple/No Set, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- grover’s corners, new hampshire, 1901 - 1913
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- Concord Theatricals
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Middle School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters
Context
Thornton Wilder was originally a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, but critics argued that his work was escapist fare that did little to confront the enormous issues of the Depression era. In response, Wilder turned to playwriting. His first play, Our Town, opened on Broadway in 1938 to rave reviews and eventually won him his second Pulitzer Prize. However, unlike the many plays of the time that took a cynical look at American life, Wilder’s Our Town instead embraced the nature of small town
to read the context for Our Town and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One - Daily Life
The play begins with an open, empty space. The Stage Manager enters and rearranges a few pieces of furniture -- a table and three chairs -- as the lights dim. Once the theatre is completely dark, the Stage Manager sets the scene: “This play is called ‘Our Town...’ The name of the town is Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire… The day is May 7, 1901. The time is just before dawn.” He introduces the customs and landmarks of the town, concluding by informing the audience that
to read the plot for Our Town and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
An actor that pretends to be an audience member, often participating in the dialogue or action of a show.
Something created or false, rather than natural.
A type of drama that uses new methods of writing, staging, and performance, rather than traditional or conventional dramatic methods.
A type of theatre which draws attention to the nature of theatre and performance, often through a "play within a play"
A situation that is a miniature representation of something much larger.
Extreme simplicity in the use of set, props, costumes, or other theatrical elements.
Having unlimited knowledge or awareness
The non-verbal expression of ideas through the body, using no words; also a hugely popular and increasingly extravagant spectacle which has its roots in commedia dell’arte.
Adj. A person who is excessively strict in morals. Noun. A member of a sect of Protestants that demanded simple worship and strict religious discipline.
Lasting for a short time.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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