Event Article

Fullerton College's Theater Arts department will be bringing one of American theater's most renowned plays to the Bronwyn Dodson Theatre starting Dec. 6: Thornton Wilder's classic "Our Town"

The cast and crew had a designer run-through two weeks ago. It was done without lights or costumes in order for the play's designers to "reimagine their vision of what they want to do," said director Bob Jensen.

Playing the stage manager will be Mike Miller, who will lead the audience to the small town of Grover's Corners and introduce the families of that fictitious New Hampshire town.The families arethe most important part of the play.

Jensen'' will be taking a very traditional approach to the way the production is staged. He said, "I want to recapture as much of the original [play] as I can."

Wilder's original script called for little scenery, and Jensen is following that suit. "We want to invest our energy in igniting the imagination of the audience by using lights and sound, and the actors' pantomime," Jensen said.

This production has taken on personal significance to Jensen.

The play was first performed in 1936 at a theater in Princeton, New Jersey, Jensen's hometown. His son is currently living in New Hampshire, and Jensen said when he was there to visit his son he saw Grover's Corners in many small tows in New Hampshire.

"Our Town" was set at the tum of the century. It depicts a simpler, healthier life and an American ideal, according to Jensen. He noted that recently he read that New Hampshire is the safest, healthiest place in America to live, and this theater classic reflects the same ideal.

"I'm not saying that this is the way things should be, but l do think the audience will feel nostalgic," Jensen said.