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Our Town

Presented by ZACH Theatre at Zach Scott Kleberg Stage

April 15-May 23, 2010

Avg. Event Rating (3.8 Stars):
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 "We all know that something is eternal. And it ain't houses and it ain't names, and it ain't earth, and it ain't even the stars," says the Stage Manager in Our Town. ZACH Theatre is bringing Grover's Corner to Riverside and Lamar for one of its signature reinventions with Thornton Wilder's beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Celebrating heart, passion and community spirit, this Our Town allows audience members to watch in several settings the courtship and marriage of George and Emily amid guest appearances by some of Austin's notable citizens and an extraordinary ensemble of local actors. The production is more than a play: it's an experience as unique as Austin!

• At-a-
  Glance

  • Venue Info

    Zach Scott Kleberg Stage

    ZACH’s Kleberg Stage 1421 W. Riverside Dr
    Austin, TX 78704

    Full map and directions

  • Admission Info

    Tickets:

    $20-$45

    Info Phone: 512-474-8497

    Email

    Buy Tickets

  • Dates & Times

    Dates:
    April 15-May 23, 2010

    Times:
    

    Wed-Sat 8pm Sun 2pm

  • Accessibility Info

    Currently, no accessibility information is available for this event.

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    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

  • Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "production ruined it"
      Review posted by: Jay_D from austin, texas, May 16, 2010
      

      A great play ruined by a really poor production. Jaston Wiliams is excellent as the narrator/stage manager. The first two acts are extrememly dull and then the audience is invited to move theaters to... Expand

      A great play ruined by a really poor production. Jaston Wiliams is excellent as the narrator/stage manager. The first two acts are extrememly dull and then the audience is invited to move theaters to 'participate' as wedding guests. This device doesn't work at all and is awkward for all involved. The play never recovers. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Our Town's Message"
      Review posted by: Steven Fearing from Austin, Texas, Apr 19, 2010
      

      Director Dave Steakley has brought Wilder’s Our Town to Austin with a contemporary yet timeless feel. This is commentary on our town anywhere, anytime – on human life transitions and our short... Expand

      Director Dave Steakley has brought Wilder’s Our Town to Austin with a contemporary yet timeless feel. This is commentary on our town anywhere, anytime – on human life transitions and our short time on Earth. It could easily be the small town of Grover Corners, Texas. No matter, Our Town says: pay attention to what life brings and accept the inevitable seasons of change. Jaston Williams is a perfect Stage Manager to share the story of Grover Corners and invite us to learn Wilder's universal lessons. Jordan McRae as Emily Webb is radiant and convincing but the entire cast is great, too many to mention. The audience moved into the rehearsal studio for Act II’s wedding. We were a community together, enjoying fantastic soloist, Laura Benedict. Staging in two places worked remarkably well. Performances aside, Our Town is about the opportunity (taken or missed) of human connection during “Life”, “Love”, and “Death.” I recommend seeing this play and hearing this message again. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Bittersweet Show"
      Review posted by: Jay Y from Austin, TX, Apr 18, 2010
      

      Zach Scott's production of Thorton Wilder's loved and bittersweet "Our Town" is worth seeing. Jaston Williams does a great job as the narrator, and the cast comes together well to create a sense of... Expand

      Zach Scott's production of Thorton Wilder's loved and bittersweet "Our Town" is worth seeing. Jaston Williams does a great job as the narrator, and the cast comes together well to create a sense of Americana, and to make the bittersweet ending happen in a way that is touching without being cloying. A few things that I thought could have been tweaked, though. Having the wedding in the Rollins Center, with the audience coming along as though participating in the wedding, though a good concept, was not completely successful. Breaking the 4th wall is always risky for one thing, and it dragged on the show a bit longer than necessary. In addition, the references in the play are to an early 20th-century culture, but the gadgets and clothes the actors have are clearly modern. Overall, though , the actors do a good job of conveying the spirit and emotions of Thorton Wilder's play, and the production is worth seeing. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Grovers Corner, NH . . . Bellmead TX"
      Review posted by: Preston Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX USA, Apr 18, 2010
      

      An electronic keyboard, a bike helmet, a Walkman, contemporary clothing. All transport the classic story of life in Grover’s Corner into the current century. But the admirable power of this play is... Expand

      An electronic keyboard, a bike helmet, a Walkman, contemporary clothing. All transport the classic story of life in Grover’s Corner into the current century. But the admirable power of this play is its ability to transport the patron beyond the confines of the Kleberg Stage to one’s own childhood . . . or future – whether it is carefully planned or totally unexpected. When was the last time you savored bacon without eating or seeing it? Stared at the moon? Felt the chills and nervousness of a wedding day? Heard the pop of a newspaper on the porch or sidewalk? “Our Town” takes you there, even if you do not have the long perspective of a mature person. Be reminded again and again that “the day,” like life,” is running down like a tired clock.” And even if your life is going as smoothly as “silk off a spool,” that you must be “in the moment” and yet aside and apart from it to really appreciate it. Stop. Listen. Meet your neighbor. Care about someone else, just as you (more) Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "A Portrait of "Family Values""
      Review posted by: Ronda Dale Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX USA, Apr 18, 2010
      

      Innovative staging brings this Thornton Wilder classic into the 21st Century. It had been at least 30 years since I had seen this play. I remembered a minimalist set, period costuming and a narrator.... Expand

      Innovative staging brings this Thornton Wilder classic into the 21st Century. It had been at least 30 years since I had seen this play. I remembered a minimalist set, period costuming and a narrator. I had forgotten the poignant wisdom and themes which still apply today. The creativity in the Zach Scott (Director Dave Steakley) version is amazing. Minimalist does not really describe the clever use of props, fabric and lighting. Holding the wedding scene in an adjacent studio with the audience playing guests was genius. Jaston Williams was natural and believable as the narrator. (I only occasionally thought of his "Tuna" characters.) The all-Austin cast was wonderful. I must admit their contemporary clothing was at first a bit confusing, but as Steakley noted, this brings the production up to date and emphasizes "the timelessness of this story. Think "Family" when you considera attending, as in how many of members you can take. It will undoubtedly draw you closer together. Collapse

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  • All Media Gallery

    Currently, additional images/videos have not been submitted for this event.

• Member
  Reviews

  • All Member Reviews

    Add review/comment

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "production ruined it"
      Review posted by: Jay_D from austin, texas, May 16, 2010
      

      A great play ruined by a really poor production. Jaston Wiliams is excellent as the narrator/stage manager. The first two acts are extrememly dull and then the audience is invited to move theaters to... Expand

      A great play ruined by a really poor production. Jaston Wiliams is excellent as the narrator/stage manager. The first two acts are extrememly dull and then the audience is invited to move theaters to 'participate' as wedding guests. This device doesn't work at all and is awkward for all involved. The play never recovers. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Our Town's Message"
      Review posted by: Steven Fearing from Austin, Texas, Apr 19, 2010
      

      Director Dave Steakley has brought Wilder’s Our Town to Austin with a contemporary yet timeless feel. This is commentary on our town anywhere, anytime – on human life transitions and our short... Expand

      Director Dave Steakley has brought Wilder’s Our Town to Austin with a contemporary yet timeless feel. This is commentary on our town anywhere, anytime – on human life transitions and our short time on Earth. It could easily be the small town of Grover Corners, Texas. No matter, Our Town says: pay attention to what life brings and accept the inevitable seasons of change. Jaston Williams is a perfect Stage Manager to share the story of Grover Corners and invite us to learn Wilder's universal lessons. Jordan McRae as Emily Webb is radiant and convincing but the entire cast is great, too many to mention. The audience moved into the rehearsal studio for Act II’s wedding. We were a community together, enjoying fantastic soloist, Laura Benedict. Staging in two places worked remarkably well. Performances aside, Our Town is about the opportunity (taken or missed) of human connection during “Life”, “Love”, and “Death.” I recommend seeing this play and hearing this message again. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Bittersweet Show"
      Review posted by: Jay Y from Austin, TX, Apr 18, 2010
      

      Zach Scott's production of Thorton Wilder's loved and bittersweet "Our Town" is worth seeing. Jaston Williams does a great job as the narrator, and the cast comes together well to create a sense of... Expand

      Zach Scott's production of Thorton Wilder's loved and bittersweet "Our Town" is worth seeing. Jaston Williams does a great job as the narrator, and the cast comes together well to create a sense of Americana, and to make the bittersweet ending happen in a way that is touching without being cloying. A few things that I thought could have been tweaked, though. Having the wedding in the Rollins Center, with the audience coming along as though participating in the wedding, though a good concept, was not completely successful. Breaking the 4th wall is always risky for one thing, and it dragged on the show a bit longer than necessary. In addition, the references in the play are to an early 20th-century culture, but the gadgets and clothes the actors have are clearly modern. Overall, though , the actors do a good job of conveying the spirit and emotions of Thorton Wilder's play, and the production is worth seeing. Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "Grovers Corner, NH . . . Bellmead TX"
      Review posted by: Preston Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX USA, Apr 18, 2010
      

      An electronic keyboard, a bike helmet, a Walkman, contemporary clothing. All transport the classic story of life in Grover’s Corner into the current century. But the admirable power of this play is... Expand

      An electronic keyboard, a bike helmet, a Walkman, contemporary clothing. All transport the classic story of life in Grover’s Corner into the current century. But the admirable power of this play is its ability to transport the patron beyond the confines of the Kleberg Stage to one’s own childhood . . . or future – whether it is carefully planned or totally unexpected. When was the last time you savored bacon without eating or seeing it? Stared at the moon? Felt the chills and nervousness of a wedding day? Heard the pop of a newspaper on the porch or sidewalk? “Our Town” takes you there, even if you do not have the long perspective of a mature person. Be reminded again and again that “the day,” like life,” is running down like a tired clock.” And even if your life is going as smoothly as “silk off a spool,” that you must be “in the moment” and yet aside and apart from it to really appreciate it. Stop. Listen. Meet your neighbor. Care about someone else, just as you (more) Collapse

    • Event Name: Our Town
      "A Portrait of "Family Values""
      Review posted by: Ronda Dale Kirk from Spicewood (Austin) TX USA, Apr 18, 2010
      

      Innovative staging brings this Thornton Wilder classic into the 21st Century. It had been at least 30 years since I had seen this play. I remembered a minimalist set, period costuming and a narrator.... Expand

      Innovative staging brings this Thornton Wilder classic into the 21st Century. It had been at least 30 years since I had seen this play. I remembered a minimalist set, period costuming and a narrator. I had forgotten the poignant wisdom and themes which still apply today. The creativity in the Zach Scott (Director Dave Steakley) version is amazing. Minimalist does not really describe the clever use of props, fabric and lighting. Holding the wedding scene in an adjacent studio with the audience playing guests was genius. Jaston Williams was natural and believable as the narrator. (I only occasionally thought of his "Tuna" characters.) The all-Austin cast was wonderful. I must admit their contemporary clothing was at first a bit confusing, but as Steakley noted, this brings the production up to date and emphasizes "the timelessness of this story. Think "Family" when you considera attending, as in how many of members you can take. It will undoubtedly draw you closer together. Collapse

• Media
  Reviews

  • Media Reviews

    There are currently no media reviews for this event.

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      Phone: (512)444-6117
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