In her director’s note for the current Backdoor Playhouse production of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder, Prudence van Aalten admits that her early impressions of this iconic 1938 play suggested that it was “uncool.” But over time, as humans contemplate the intricacies of everyday life, we all learn that being “uncool” can often be even cooler than being cool. I’m grateful that our director for this show made that discovery.
In recent seasons at the Backdoor Playhouse, the community of patrons and supporters have noticed a pivot toward producing more well-known and canonical plays. The interesting thing about “Our Town,” though, is that as deeply reputable and renowned as this text is, and while the play may be old-school in tone, tempo, and topic, it’s anything but “traditional.” As far as innovation, the show packs several surprising aspects, despite its deeply throwback and folksy setting, amplified by the amazing period costumes provided by Spotlight.
Despite this play’s regard and reputation and an entire century of admiration, this was actually my first time to see it performed in person. Its fascination with bending the forms of theater and drama themselves gets you from the get go. Kudos to the cast and crew and director for managing its many nuances with creative confidence.
In contrast with the modest period costumes of the rest of the cast, the Stage Manager is more modern and wows us with her charisma and charm. No pressure for anyone in a role that has been taken by the likes Frank Sinatra and Orson Welles, but Chris Margraves carries this show by curating our experience, catering not just between audience and cast, but carrying us safely between the time of the show and our time, in our town, on our campus. Margraves’ omniscient guidance is the perfect spark and gift that this production needed to distinguish itself.
Each and every one of the student players in this production earn their flowers, from the leads of Landon Plemons as George Gibbs and Hannah Rockensock as Emily Webb to some more subtle surprises, such as Playhouse newcomer Damian Lino portraying the problematic church choir director Simon Stimson or freshman theater major James Howard really reaching everyone with his take on the loyal local milkman Howie Newsome.
As the 21st century is already a quarter over in its hyper-technological spiral toward what-we-don’t-know, it’s pleasantly surprising to see so many revivals of all things archaic, crafty, and vintage, you know, the stuff that’s timelessly old-school and even uncool. I say bring it. Suspend your disbelief and your belief and just be present to this heartfelt and deeply human show.
-A local author and teacher, Andrew Smith has been Cookeville’s theater critic for almost 20 years.
Our Town runs through February 28th.
For the first time, the Playhouse now allows advanced and reserved seats.
You can get them here:
Backdoor Playhouse
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