|
Our Town |
A mix of newcomers and veterans will bring the story of Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, to life on the stage of the Rogers Theatre. With minimal set pieces and the eloquent narrative of Pulitzer Prize winner Thornton Wilder, the company will welcome the audience to a small town at the turn of the 20th century.
Guiding the proceedings will be Steve Swords of Hideaway as the Stage Manager, one of the premier roles written for the English-speaking theater.
Eight actors are cast as neighboring families, the Gibbs and the Webbs. Bill Burgdorf of Tyler will play Dr. Gibbs, the town’s physician, with Suzanne Alford of Tyler as his wife, Julia, Blayne Ballard of Troup as their son, George, and Taylor Holliday of Tyler as their daughter, Rebecca.
Ron Solomon of Tyler will make his TCTC debut as Mr. Webb, editor of the town’s newspaper. Sharon Troxell of Flint will play his wife, Myrtle, with her real-life daughter, Megan, as their daughter, Emily. Completing the Webb family is Ryan Castner of Lindale in the double roles of Emily’s younger brother, Wally, and (later in the play) the Webbs’ cousin, Sam Craig.
Making their TCTC debuts as other citizens of the town are Kerron James, a student at UT Tyler, as organist Simon Stimson, and Nancy Burgdorf of Tyler as Mrs. Soames.
Five actors will play multiple roles: Tyler residents Owen Crawford as Howie Newsome and Joe Stoddard; Sean Holliday as Mr. Morgan and Farmer McCarthy; Steve McDonald as Constable Warren and the minister; Clarence Strickland as Professor Willard and Mr. Carter, and Julia Troxell of Flint as Joe Crowell and, later, Joe’s brother.
Mike Hargrove is creating sound for the production, featuring turn-of-the-20th-century music and familiar hymns. LeeAnna Burgdorf and Leah Crawford will be in the tech booth, with Deborah Crawford providing backstage assistance. Daye Collins and Judy Watson are the producers. Robin Root is making her directorial debut at TCTC as guest director for this show.
The first performance will be at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 19, followed by matinees at 2 p.m. on February 21 and 28 and evening performances at 7 p.m. on February 20 and 25-27. This is the third show of the 2009/2010 Rogers Theatre season.
BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!
Due to demand for tickets, Our Town will be moved from the Rogers Theatre to the Braithwaite Theatre, which seats more persons. The curtain times will be 7:30 p.m. on evenings and 2:30 p.m. on the two Sundays, February 21 and 28. The production dates are the same: February 19-21 and 25-28.
