Reviewed by Judy Richter
Thornton Wilder's 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama is set in the fictional small town of Grover's Corners, N.H., early in the 20th century. Most of it is centered on the Gibbs and Webb families, who live next door to each other.
One memorable feature of "Our Town" is its barebones set. In the Foothill Theatre Arts production, for example, one worn wooden table and a few wooden chairs serve as both the Webb and the Gibbs kitchens. Much of the action, such as delivering milk and stringing beans, is pantomimed.
Suspended overhead in the set design by Bruce McLeod, who also directs this production, are dozens of upside-down umbrellas, meant to symbolize the townspeople's ancestors.
The Stage Manager narrates and observes as the action proceeds. Although the role is traditionally played by a man, Carla Befera (wife of the director), does the honors here. Casually dressed, complete with baseball cap and athletic shoes, Befera is low key yet authoritative as she explains what's happening from a future perspective.
For example, she says that Act 1 is focused on daily life in 1901, while Act 2 is all about love and marriage in 1904. Act 3 jumps ahead nine years to death, thus ending the cycle of life.
The central couple in this cycle are Emily Webb (Samantha Rose) and George Gibbs (Peter Spoelstra), who are first seen as 16-year-old friends and who shyly evolve into a couple.
Because this production includes both seasoned actors and students, the acting is somewhat uneven. The best performances come from Befera, Rose and Spoelstra. Also noteworthy are Anthony Silk and Dee Baily as Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs, and Bill Dwan and Edie Dwan (husband and wife in real life) as Mr. and Mrs. Webb.
Although the play seemingly focuses on the here and now, it's also timeless and universal. That's especially true in the third act, when Emily discovers that people don't necessarily think about the preciousness of life; they just live it. That's how it has been and will be for eons.
Lighting by Sean Kramer and costumes by Chiara Cola add to the enjoyment.
(One of the most memorable Bay Area productions of "Our Town" was at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco in 1985, when Emily Webb was played by rising star Annette Bening.)