Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-drama-Our-Town

Full Text:

NHS Drama Club Performs `Our Town'

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

It's May 7, 1901 and the sun is just coming up on another day at Grover's

Corners, New Hampshire - the imaginary setting for one of America's best-loved

plays.

This weekend, thanks to the Newtown High School Drama Club, those of us who

never grow tired of Thornton Wilder's three-act play, "Our Town," can hear

once again those familiar country sounds of nearly a century ago in rural

America - a rooster crowing, the clink of milk bottles, a distant train

whistle.

We can smell the fresh coffee brewing and revisit those friendly back door

neighbors, the Webbs and the Gibbs - two families who talk over their back

fence while hanging out the laundry, who share stories while stringing beans

and who consider it a privilege to mow their own lawns.

Sitting in the audience, we can watch as the story of two young lovers, Emily

and George, unfolds. Take in every word and remember what first love was like.

"The sky is beginning to show some streaks of light over in the East there,

behind our mount'n. The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute

before it has to go, - doesn't it?"

That's the stage manager in "Our Town" speaking his opening lines (played this

weekend by Newtown student Dan O'Connor). He's setting the scene for the

audience, but his words have a broader meaning. They hint at the play's

central theme, soon to be explored, that life is full of beauty and the beauty

passes all too quickly.

"Thornton Wilder makes us sit down and watch the little things that we take

for granted," said drama club director Allyson Haley.

"This is the first serious piece of drama we've done in a while. I'm

overwhelmed with how much effort and work the kids are putting in," Ms Haley

said.

She also credited the work of assistant director Kristina Mariano, a Newtown

senior, who has "helped with all the important decisions" along the way.

Ms Haley directed last year's musical production of "Charlie Brown" and is a

member of the school staff, as Newtown High's substance abuse counselor.

She is clearly on the same wave length with the students, attuned to their

performing abilities and able to help them organize and motivate themselves.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, quiet please in the house. Impress me! I need you to

concentrate on pacing, timing, entrances and exits. This week, things get

serious," Ms Haley said, as she reminded the cast that they would be

rehearsing from top to bottom, one more time.

"Where's the moon?" she said, to no one in particular - suddenly missing that

important piece of scenery.

"It's locked in the closet," came a reply from the back of the auditorium.

"Chris! Go find the custodian," Ms Haley said, handing the problem over to

senior cast member Chris Bassett so she could get on with the rehearsal.

One amusing casting coincidence occurred when Chris Bassett was given the role

of Mr Webb and his real life girl friend, Kathleen Mooney, was cast as Mrs

Webb.

"It's easy working together. We're used to it," Kathleen remarked, explaining

that she and Chris had also played romantic leads opposite each other last

summer in the Town Players' production of "The Night of the Burning Pestle."

But, Kathleen noted, she was finding "Our Town" a challenge in other ways.

"All the pantomime effects take concentration," she said, demonstrating by

rolling out an imaginary pie crust on a bread board made of thin air.

The Webbs' daughter, Emily, is played by Becca Roodhuyzen, who said she was

finding the play's last act to be emotionally draining.

"It works! But it's very demanding," Becca said.

Becca plays opposite Nick Perrone, who portrays young George Gibbs.

"George is sort of like the dumb, sweet jock. I can identify!" said Nick.

He explained he was having some difficulty hiding his naturally confident

attitude toward life and behaving like the hesitant and nervous character that

George is supposed to be.

"I've got to get into that part," Nick said with determination.

Ms Haley said while performing in "Our Town" was an "acting exercise" for all

the cast members, she was confident they would not only get into their parts

but do an excellent job of bringing Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning play to

life on the Newtown High stage.

"Piece of cake!" Ms Haley said.

Others assisting in the production are light and sound director Tim Schultz

and set designer Tom Swetts.

Two performances are scheduled: Saturday evening, November 23 at 8 pm and

Sunday afternoon, November 24 at 2 pm. Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for

adults, and they will be sold at the door.

The auditorium is to the left of the main entrance of Newtown High School,

which is located off I-84, Exit 11 on Berkshire Road.