Plays may seem boring compared to other forms of performance art, but their scripts are packed with life lessons and memorable quotes.  Compared to musicals, they seem less imaginative and lack a sense of color and brightness.  Despite this, Our Town was interesting and captivated me through its unique set design and profound script

Our Town is a two act play that is done with minimal props and costumes.  It tells the story of seemingly average families in the early 1900s and their experience of falling in and out of love. The main character of the play is the Stage Manager.  The Stage Manager, played by junior Mimi Deluca, has a pivotal role in the lives of unassuming residents of small town Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. After her introduction, typical activities of the day begin.  The milkman and the paperboy make their rounds, parents make breakfast and children go to school. Throughout the play, the actors pantomime their daily activities and chores.  There is a deliberate abandonment of props that add to minimal set.  For example, Howie makes his milk deliveries and no horse appears onstage despite the fact that he frequently addresses his horse as “Bessie.” Howie does not actually hold anything in his hands, but he pantomimes carrying bottles of milk, and the sound of clinking milk bottles comes from offstage.  This use of offstage sounds pulls the audience in as a sort of curiosity.

The Stage Manager continuously interrupts action to give a brief monologue or backstory about a character. The second act breaks away from the minimal set so a main character, Emily, can relive a day in her life.  The stage is filled with light and props and scenery are revealed.  I loved the stylistic choice and it really pulled me in.

While there isn’t much for the eye to see, the script of Our Town was moving and profound at times.  I tend to enjoy musicals more, but this play held my attention and entertained me throughout.