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Our Town

  • Thornton Wilder
  • Full Length Play, Drama, 1900-1910
  • 17M, 7F
  • ISBN: 9780573701504

"While all of Wilder's work is intelligent, non-synthetic and often moving, as well as funny, it is Our Town that makes the difference. It is probably the finest play ever written by an American."

Edward Albee

More information

Description

  • Full Length Play
  • Drama
  • 120 minutes

  • Time Period: 1900-1910
  • Target Audience: Appropriate for all audiences
  • Set Requirements: Bare Stage/Simple Set
  • Cautions: No Special Cautions

  • Performance Group:
  • Dinner Theatre, Community Theatre, High School/Secondary, Blackbox / Second Stage /Fringe Groups, College Theatre / Student, Church / Religious Groups, Senior Theatre

  • Accolades:
  • Winner! 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
In an important publishing event, Samuel French, in cooperation with the Thornton Wilder estate is pleased to release the playwright's definitive version of Our Town. This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet it presents Our Town as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed. 

Described by Edward Albee as "...the greatest American play ever written," the story follows the small town of Grover's Corners through three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage," and "Death and Eternity." Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, audiences follow the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually -- in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre -- die. 

Thornton Wilder's final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally.

PLEASE NOTE: Our Town is to be presented as it appears in published form and the author's intent will be respected in the production. No changes, interpolations, additions or deletions of the script are allowed. This includes, but is not limited to, characters and characterization, settings, text and time periods.
REVIEWS:

"While all of Wilder's work is intelligent, non-synthetic and often moving, as well as funny, it is Our Town that makes the difference. It is probably the finest play ever written by an American."

 Edward Albee

"Thornton Wilder's masterpiece... An immortal tale of small town morality [and]... a classic of soft spoken theater."

 The New York Times

"Beautiful and remarkable one of the sagest, warmest and most deeply human scripts to have come out of our theatre... A spiritual experience."

The New York Post

"No American play describes more powerfully how we imagine ourselves."

The New York Daily News

"No play ever moved me so deeply."

 Alexander Woolcott, The New Yorker

Premiere Production: Our Town was first presented in New York City at Henry Miller's Theatre on February 4, 1938. It was produced and directed by Jed Harris.

Characters

  • Casting: 17M, 7F
  • Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Room for Extras, Flexible casting, Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle)

  • STAGE MANAGER
    DR. GIBBS
    JOE CROWELL
    HOWIE NEWSOME
    MRS. GIBBS
    MRS. WEBB
    GEORGE GIBBS
    REBECCA GIBBS
    WALLY WEBB
    EMILY WEBB
    PROFESSOR WILLARD
    MR. WEBB
    WOMAN IN THE BALCONY
    MAN IN THE AUDITORIUM
    LADY IN THE BOX
    SIMON STIMSON
    MRS. SOAMES
    CONSTABLE WARREN
    SI CROWELL
    THREE BASEBALL PLAYERS
    SAM CRAIG
    JOE STODDARD
    PEOPLE OF THE TOWN

    • Available Material

    Name Price
    Our Town Script This is optional. Order Now

    In an important publishing event, Samuel French, in cooperation with the Thornton Wilder estate is please to release the playwright's definitive version of Our Town. This edition of the play differs only slightly from previous acting editions, yet is presents Our Town as Thornton Wilder wished it to be performed.

    Described by Edward Albee as "...the greatest American play ever written," the story follows the small town of Grover's Corners through three acts: "Daily Life," "Love and Marriage," and "Death and Eternity." Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, audiences follow the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually -- in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre -- die.

    Thornton Wilder's final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally.

    		$24.95

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