By Debbie Blassingame
Correspondent
Playwright Thornton Wilder's first Pulitzer Prize-winning work, "Our Town," reminds theatergoers of the bittersweetness of life.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre MainStage becomes the device for this nostalgic statement of life and the human condition. This profound work, directed by Bob Willie, follows the specific stage directions of "no set, minimal set pieces such as chairs and ladders, and no props."
The quaint place and time, Grover's Corners, N.H., 1901, is fashioned on the stage as a simple locale with recognizable sound effects by sound designer Paul Hughes, and drab, monotonous lighting, emphasizing the lifestyle of the townsfolk, by lighting designer Robert Wills. Scott Dunlap visually creates the period with the costumes of the day.
With Mr. Wilder's intent for the realism of the characters to show through, casting is the most important consideration beginning with Mr. Willie's casting of Rob Inman as the stage manager. Mr. Inman draws the audience into the relaxed, personal, familiar "story" being narrated. Mr. Inman is incredible in this role.
Randal Fosse and Anne Swedberg are standouts in their portrayal of Dr. Gibbs and his lovely Mrs. Gibbs. Mr. Fosse conjures memories of the "old country doctor" stereotype while Ms. Swedberg exerts the quiet strength of the many housewives of the early 20th century.
John "Buck" Rogers and Nancy Hammons make Emily's middle-aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. Webb, authentic. They are happy. They are sad. They bring smiles of memories past in their artistic creations.
Tony Dagnan is George Gibbs. Mr. Dagnan captures the innocence of the young George, and yet is powerful in the scene at Emily's grave.
Joanna Miller is the beautiful Emily Webb. No matter how many times you have read or have seen this play, when Ms. Miller begins to understand what life is and what we as humans do not understand, you will "feel." She is wonderful. She handles this most difficult role quite effortlessly.
Two other crowd favorites are Stacy Helton as the notorious Simon Stimson and Stefanie Oppenheimer as Mrs. Soames.
Other cast members include: Ryne Williams as Joe Crowell; Andy Still as Howie Newson; Lauren Flatt as Rebecca Gibbs; Cameron Freshour as Wally Webb; Todd Callaway as Professor Willard; Lisa Dake as Woman in the Balcony; Branden Schwartz as Man in the Auditorium; Abigail Mitchell as Lady in the Box; Carl Hansen as Constable Warren; Alex Griffith as Si Crowell; Branden Schwartz as Sam Craig; Peter Iorio as Joe Stoddard; and Lisa Dake, Susan Brandenburg, Abigail Mitchell and Todd Callaway as people of the town.
When you visit the CTC "Our Town," it is likely you will leave the theater more aware of the importance of finding the meaning and the pleasures of all the simple day-to-day things in life.
As Plato said, "Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity."
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