An overview of Long Wharf Theatre’s production of Our Town includes an excellent history of the play and Wilder’s connections with Connecticut, as well as commentary by the cast and artistic director, Gordon Edelstein, on the novel approach for this production.
For the season opener of Long Wharf Theatre’s 50th anniversary season, artistic director Gordon Edelstein wanted a work that not only made an artistic statement about the theater but one that reflected the New Haven community.
[…] Edelstein also wanted his version of the play, which is set in 1901 in the fictitious town of Grover’s Corners, N.H., to have relevance to today — and especially to New Haven, which is made up of a myriad mix of classes, cultures, faiths and races. He also cast it with actors who have been associated with the theater over the decades.
“At it’s core it’s about the stuff of our lives set against the backdrop of the stars, as he juxtaposes the every-day and the eternal,” says Edelstein. “But it’s also about community and I wanted Our Town to look like our town.”
For the complete article, and a video discussion with the cast, visit the CTnow website.
The novel approach to this production has resonated well with critics, as shown by Frank Rizzo’s review for The Hartford Courant as well as E. Kyle Minor’s review for the New Haven Register. Minor’s review is titled “Long Wharf Theatre has ‘Our Town’ at its best.”
Our Town opened on October 15 and continues through November 2 at Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven, Connecticut. Visit the Long Wharf Theatre website for more information.
Myra Lucretia Taylor, front, is warm and welcoming as The Stage Manager in Long Wharf Theatre’s 50th anniversary offering of Our Town.
Photo by the New Haven Register, © T Charles Erickson – tcepix@comcast.net