Our Town

This is a re-post of my Myspace blog. For those of you who don't do the Myspace thing or follow my little blog in other ways, here it is in all its glory. :)

I was just fortunate enough to score a ticket to one of Chicago's smash hits, Our Town. Yes, Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. Many of you remember having to see a dreadful production, or read it in school or, heavens forbid, be a part of some tragic production.

I, however, have always had a different view of this play. My first introduction to it was when I was 12. I read a scene from it in one of my first scene-study classes. I was fortunate enough to have an amazing teacher who understood what this play was about. She understood what the play was really saying, not what some sad and pathetic director was trying to say. I walked away thinking, "I should read that play". Which I didn't get around to until I was 15.

I went to an arts high school and was introduced to the Spalding Gray movie, Monster in a Box, where herecounts his experience doing Our Town on Broadway. We then watched this version and it was both moving and lovely.

College, well, I watched a bunch of college-kids trying desperately to portray the depth and breadth needed to really fill out these characters, but only a few actually hitting a place of emotional truth.

Then Chicago's own David Cromer decides to direct this award-winning play. With the help of an exquisite cast, he is easily doing exactly what this play calls for. By showing us what we need to hear and setting up our imaginations, we can't help but fall desperately in love with these characters and recognize ourselves in their successes and flaws. Nothing was missed. This is an exceptional show. A beautiful success and, dammit, I'm glad to be alive today.

Bravo, Hypocrites and David Cromer for an amazing depiction of life and what we miss in our mundane every day moments. How fleeting they are.

Thank you for the opportunity to have experienced it.

Peace, and I love you all.