‘Our Town’ has the power to change hearts, minds

By Rich Fahey

BOSTON — When reviewing a production of “Our Town” years ago, I noted that when Thornton Wilder was conjuring up the town of Grover’s Corners, N.H., for his Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, he took great pains to describe just how unremarkable a place it was.
It was his way of saying that “Our Town” is your town, too. And that message could scarcely be more important than it is right now.

During the Lyric Stage Company of Boston’s production of “Our Town,” the character of Editor Webb (De’Lon Grant), editor of the Grover’s Corners Sentinel, answers questions posed by members of the audience about the town.
“Is there any culture or beauty in Grover’s Corners? Well, no. A few girls play the piano, but they ain’t happy about it.”
But he proudly points that 90 percent of the young people in town — including those who went away to college — stay to live in the town.  A professor, Dr. Willard (John Kuntz), informs us the town is overwhelmingly white, Republican and Protestant. But the America of today is diverse, and Lyric Artistic Director Courtney O’Connor, who directs, has taken care to make sure the excellent cast now telling the tale reflects how much the country has changed since the dawn of the 20^th Century.

In a stroke of casting genius, O’Connor has enlisted the estimable Will McGarrahan as the Stage Manager, our narrator and guide to the piece who also flows in and out of the action onstage. Anyone who has seen how McGarrahan can break down the fourth wall as the Man in Chair in SpeakEasy’s “The Drowsy Chaperone” or even in Greater Boston Stage’s flawed comedy “Founding F%!#ers” can appreciate his skills and his warmth as he welcomes the audience into the show and makes them feel comfortable. He is our worldly-wise guide to the town, pointing out the various ethnic enclaves, the landmarks, and taking special note of the way the sun hovers over the nearby mountain.
In keeping with Wilder’s minimalist approach when it came to scenery and props – something that stunned the audience when the show debuted at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre in 1938 —  “Our Town” takes place amid a simple backdrop, with the actors performing their tasks without props and our imaginations filling in the rest.

 Some of the best and brightest in the Greater Boston acting community have signed on. The action centers around two town families: hard-working Doc Gibbs (Robert Najarian), Mrs. Gibbs, (Thomika Marie Bridwell) and their children George (Dan Garcia) and Rebecca (Kathy St. George); and the aforementioned Editor Webb, Mrs. Webb (Amanda Collins) and their children Emily (Josephine Moshiri Elwood) and Wally (Darren Paul). There may be no actor in Boston who is younger at heart than St. George, who shines not only as the young sister but as Mrs. Soames, the gossipy member of the church choir.
The lives of the two families intersect in special ways as George and Emily fall in love, get married, and then have their fortunes buffeted by the vagaries of life. It is absolutely crucial that the characters of Emily Webb and George Gibbs ring true, and they do, including the moments of endearing awkwardness during their courtship.  And, of course, George and Emily, still almost children themselves, exchanging marriage vows so soon after a high school graduation, is a heartbreakingly touching scene.

Kuntz has some fine moments as Simon Stimson, the alcoholic choirmaster who lives a life of quiet desperation, and there are strong contributions from Jesse Garlick in several roles.

Shelley Barish’s minimal set is a series of versatile structures that are easily moved and transformed as needed to become kitchen tables or church pews. Deb Sullivan’s lighting is en pointe when used to reflect the sunrise or sunset, or those gazing upwards at the stars.

O’Connor’s direction is stunning in Act III’s graveyard scene, when the doomed Emily looks back from beyond the grave to her 12-year-old self, a moment to start the tear ducts flowing.
Wilder was prescient in foreseeing forces of the future might affect connection and the sense of community that the residents of Grover’s Corners obviously felt. Perhaps he knew, 87 years ago, that someday we might tear the social fabric and become more concerned with the politics of the day instead of  how we could help a struggling neighbor.
“Our Town” is stunning in its portrayal of small everyday events writ large, and simple truths that matter wherever it is in this country your  Grover’s Corners is located.
The Lyric Stage Company of Boston production of “Our Town.” Written by Thornton Wilder. Directed by Courtney O’Connor. Set design by Shelley Barish. Lighting by Deb Sullivan. Costume design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt. Sound design by Andrew Duncan Will. At the Lyric Stage Company of Boston through Oct. 19. Lyricstage.com.