For immediate release
September 24, 2004

SAINT JOHN THEATRE COMPANY'S SECOND STAGE AND THE NEW BRUNSWICK MUSEUM

PROUDLY PRESENT THE AMERICAN CLASSIC "OUR TOWN"

The Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage will be mounting its second full-length production ever on Thursday, October 7th at the New Brunswick Museum. "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder has become a popular classic for theatre companies the world over, thanks to its enduring themes concerning life, love and community.

"It's appropriate that the three evening run of 'Our Town' flows into the Thanksgiving weekend," says Jay Rawding, who will be directing the production. "There are several scenes in the play that remind us of how we sometimes take the people and events in our lives for granted, and how we should sometimes stop and notice the little things along the way. The gift of life itself is not always something we are thankful for."

The project marks the largest ensemble effort the collective has assembled to date. The cast of approximately twenty actors features a mix of both new and seasoned Second Stage performers, but will prove to be demanding to one and all because, unlike other plays, it does not feature any physical props or sets. Everything onstage will be pantomimed, meaning the actors will need to create an entire town with only their voices and their bodies to sustain the illusion.

"It's very challenging trying to create a world that only you can see for the audience," says Lisa Flower, who plays Emily Webb, the sweet and bright girl-next-door. "On the other hand, it's liberating. The audience sees what we want them to, and it also gives them the chance to envision their own world."

Written in 1938, the play chronicles the lives of the fictional residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire at the turn of the century. In particular, the Gibbs and Webb families are featured; their imaginary homes are situated next door to each other. The omniscient Stage Manager (played by Gilbert Boyce) helpfully establishes each of the pantomimed scenes in order to illustrate common, life-based situations. The first act details a typical smalltown day in the life, and the second and third acts depict love, marriage and death. A century later, many of these universal concepts are destined to strike a chord with today's audience.

"Even though we're a century apart, there are a lot of similarities between Mrs. Gibbs and myself," remarks Sharon Searle. "We both get caught up in day-to-day life. We don't always take the time to notice the important little things".

"Our Town" marks Second Stage's twelfth play produced in 2004, including three previous evenings of one-act plays earlier this year. The show continues one of the mandates of the collective, which is to provide opportunities for people new to stage acting to give local theatre a try.

"This is a play that was written for more than just entertainment, but with some life lessons too," says Cristi Wheaton. A first-time performer with the company, Wheaton will be portraying the role of Mrs. Webb.

"In a world of cellphones and instant messaging, this play shows a time when people actually interacted with one in order to communicate," adds newcomer Keith Dickson, who plays the all-American ball player, George Gibbs.

"Our Town" is presented by the Saint John Theatre Company: Second Stage and the New Brunswick Museum. It will be staged Thursday, October 7th, Friday, October 8th and Saturday, October 9th at 8:00 p.m in the Mary H. Oland Theatre at the New Brunswick Museum in Market Square. Tickets are $10.00 and are available in advance at the New Brunswick Museum lobby or at the door.

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