PRODUCTIONS
Our Town in Old City
By THORNTON WILDER
Directed by TERRENCE J. NOLEN
On the F. Otto Haas Stage & Historic Christ Church
May 22 - June 22, 2008
Independence Foundation is proud to sponsor
Edward G. Rendell, Governor, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Honorary Producer
Synopsis
The finale of our 20th Anniversary season is an unprecedented event that celebrates community. Winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama,
Our Town has become a much beloved classic and is, perhaps, the most frequently produced play by an American playwright. Interweaving past and present, Wilder's stark and simple masterpiece chronicles the daily life of close knit families and reveals the universal truths that connect us all.
Act I (Daily Life) will be played at the Arden's Haas Stage. At intermission, the audience will walk through the churchyard to Christ Church where we will stage the wedding of Act II (Marriage and Love).
To further involve our Philadelphia community, we will bring together different musical groups – one night a boys choir, the next a gospel choir, the next perhaps a string quartet? Each night we will have special community guests as part of the production.
"The Arden's best productions focus on community."
–J. Cooper Robb, Philadelphia Weekly
Critical Acclaim–
"The Arden's lavish, leisurely production proves that the old American classic is well worth reviving. Director Terrence J. Nolen goes to great lengths to make the show distinctly his own. The sense of community is irresistibly realistic, even as we watch theater being created."
–Philadelphia Inquirer
"A superior production... the perfect closer of the Arden's 20th Anniversary Season, which was itself, exemplary."
–The Weekly Press [
Review]
"The Arden's
Our Town has the sincere, low-key tone that feels absolutely true to the play... the Arden's Grover's Corners is populated by an exceptional ensemble of actors... the Arden has built a reputation as the perfect stage for a tribute to its community..."
–EDGE Philadelphia
"..a moving, evocative and utterly charming evening of theater... the leads as well as the minor characters are exceptional."
–Bob Cronin, Broad Street Review
"...everything theater should be but rarely is...
Our Town in our town is an evening to remember."
–Anne Fabbri, Broad Street Review
"Well cast and well acted... this is an exciting community event."
–Steve Cohen, Broad Street Review
"A splendid and unique production... a large, talented cast that brings Wilder's familiar work alive and gives it some new impact... Eric Hissom's performance strikes just the right note."
–Chestnut Hill Local
"
Our Town celebrates Philadelphia... Terry Nolen's decision to put the wedding in Christ Church feels good: like a real wedding... Hard not to get teary in this
Our Town at the Arden."
–Lesley Valdes, WRTI [
Listen]
"...a hauntingly sincere and elegant production... high praise indeed... the entire cast of 29 comes through with truthful, efficient work."
–Philadelphia Metro
"Community is what you will find at Arden Theatre Company as the Arden ends their 20th Anniversary Season with a refreshing production of Thornton Wilder's
Our Town. Nolen and his talented cast take this play to new heights."
–County Press
"Fascinating... Nolen's staging is masterful... eloquent... well worth a visit."
–Philadelphia Weekly
"This lovely treasure of a play hums along with perfect, unassuming brilliance, captured by a thoughtful cast at the Arden."
–The Bulletin
"An innovative production... I appreciated the attempt of creating a town that in some ways represents modern-day Philadelphia. This was truly our town.
–Dr. Henrik Eger [
Review]
Behind the Scenes–
Philadelphia Inquirer writer Howie Shapiro reports on "Our town's
Our Town. [
Article]
Go behind the scenes of
Our Town in Old City with Jason Peifer on WRTI's
Creatively Speaking. [
Podcast]
American Theatre Magazine takes a look at six American theatre companies that are staging unique interpretations of
Our Town this season, including the Arden. [
Article
]
