ECC Theatre puts on Thorton Wilder classic ‘Our Town’ Nov. 7-16
Elgin Community College Theatre is putting on Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Our Town,” under the direction of ECC Associate Professor of Theatre Susan A. Robinson.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7-16, in the ECC Arts Center’s SecondSpace Theatre, 1700 Spartan Drive.
“Our Town” is a deeply moving and profound human exploration of life, love, and loss in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire.
“On the surface, 'Our Town' appears to be a simple, straightforward story about life in Grover’s Corners in the early 1900s,” Robinson explained. “But it's this simplicity that makes the play so engaging and deeply moving. Wilder’s groundbreaking decision to use minimal scenery and pantomimed props was revolutionary for the time. The central figure, the Stage Manager, starts and stops scenes, reminding the audience that they’re watching a play. As the narrative gently draws the audience into what seems like an ordinary story about life in a small town, it subtly begins to challenge them to reflect on their own lives, their humanity, and their place in the universe.”
More than 60 students auditioned for “Our Town,” the largest turnout during Robinson’s time at ECC. Ultimately, she cast 22 students, who immersed themselves in the lives of characters from over a century ago.
Robinson noted that audiences can look forward to a production that’s heartfelt, humorous, charming, and at times, deeply moving.
“‘Our Town' offers comfort through its universal themes, while gently urging us to live with greater awareness and purpose, to do good while we still have the time,” Robinson shared. “Before, as the Stage Manager reminds us, ‘The earth part of us burns away.’”
There will be an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreted theater performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14.
General admission is $14 or $12 for seniors. It is free for ECC students. Tickets are available at eccartscenter.org or by calling 847-622-0300.
“Our Town” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.