Our students did an amazing job with our heart-felt production of Thornton Wilder’s 1938 masterpiece “Our Town”. This Pulitzer-prize winning play reveals a seemingly idyllic community in early 20th century New Hampshire. It continues to be a poetic and metaphysical examination of life’s events—big and small—those that are fleeting, those that are beautiful, those that are tragic, those that are forever inhabited by the spirits of the departed.

Les Epstein, our Stage Director shares:

I feel fortunate to return to this play at this later date in my time on Earth. I first had the opportunity to perform in Our Town in the fall of 1980 as a 19 year old student actor—wide-eyed and ready to bump heads with the world. During this production, I discovered the secrets of acting from Victor Jory, a character actor from the Golden Age of Hollywood (cinema roles including a villainous turn as the Carpet Bagger in Gone with the Wind), cast in the role of the Stage Manager. In one gesture, Mr. Jory demonstrated that acting was greatly reliant on listening and reacting, and working through the eyes—a lesson I now encourage student actors to practice, embrace. Returning to Our Town 44 years later (with bruises from years of bumping heads), I am reminded of how tight and precise Wilder’s writing remains. The residents of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire are still lively, honest, intriguing, endearing. I am blessed to watch this talented student cast bring these characters to life with integrity and respect. I hope you take much from this enduring piece of theater.

Special Thanks to Robert Williams & everyone on the CHS faculty & Board.