Download Press Release Our Town (mail) - ISU Theatre

For Details, Contact:
Jane Cox
Iowa State University Theatre
Phone (515) 294-9766
Iowa State University Theatre
2130 Pearson Hall
Ames, IA 50011-2204
Phone (515) 294-2624
Theatre press release
ISU THEATRE ANNOUNCES FALL SEASON
AMES, Iowa – Only a few pieces of scenery dot the stage. A ladder represents the second floor of a house. A bare stage has
become synonymous with “Our Town,” the Thornton Wilder American classic play set in the early 1900s in small town New
Hampshire.
“Part of what makes ‘Our Town’ so wonderful is that the stage is practically bare,” says Jane Cox of ISU Theatre and the play’s
director. “While the costumes are realistic for the era, the emphasis in ‘Our Town’ is on acting and emotions.”
ISU Theatre will present “Our Town” over two weekends in Fisher Theater beginning Friday, Sept. 29. Show times for that performance as well as the Sept. 30 and Oct. 6-7 showings are 7:30 p.m. Matinee productions (2 p.m.) are set for Sunday, Oct. 1 and 8.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning play begins with a stage manager walking on stage and setting the scene, “The date is May 7, 1901 just
before dawn.” Act I is called “Daily Life”, Act II is “Marriage and Love”, and Act III is “Death”. By the time 12 years pass in
Grovers Corners, N.H., and the performance draws to a close, the characters have made discoveries about the ordinary and
extraordinary days that comprise every life.
“I think ‘Our Town’ appeals to every generation,” Cox says. “It looks at daily life, love, death and eternity. Thornton Wilder writes
about two families and their life experiences in the early 1900s. “The hearts and souls of these characters is what’s important. The
love and tragedy that the characters experience is the same as we experience today and will live long into the future.”
Throughout the play, the stage manager (portrayed by Joel Perkins) will turn to the audience and ask them to reflect on how they
feel about what they have seen take place on the stage. That got Cox thinking about when she first saw “Our Town” in Denver as a
high school student.
“‘Our Town’ was the very first professional production I saw,” she said, “and it really changed my life. This play made me
determined to live a life where I noticed life around me and enjoyed the simple things.
“Anyone who sees ‘Our Town’ recognizes something about themselves in the script,” Cox continued. “This is a script that still
speaks to audiences long after they leave the theater.”
Other major cast members include Jeff Mason, Dr. Gibbs; Malary Harris, Emily Webb; Matthew Lampe, George Gibbs; Jack Klein,
Mr. Webb; Carrie Taylor, Mrs. Gibbs; and Genya Coffey, Mrs. Webb.
Tickets are currently on sale at the Iowa State Center Ticket Office and are $13 for adults, $12 for seniors and $7 for students and
children. Tickets may also be purchased at 515-294-3347.
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For Immediate Release
Home Town Information
Jeff Mason (Dr. Gibbs) is from Storm Lake, a freshman in the performing arts, and is the son of Bill and Dianna Mason.
Don Watts (Howie Newsome) is from Huxley, a freshman with open option enrollment, and is the son of Tim and Connie Watts.
Carrie Taylor (Mrs. Gibbs) is from Saint Paul, Minnesota; a freshman in engineering with a minor in German; and is the daughter of
Dave Treftz and Rosemary Taylor.
Genya Coffey (Mrs. Webb) is from Ames, a senior in elementary education, and is the daughter of Tim and Becky Freeman of
Urbandale.
Matthew Lampe (George Gibbs) is from Bellevue, a freshman in physics, and is the son of Chris and Kathie Lampe.
Malary Harris (Emily Webb) is from Richland, a senior in performing arts, and is the daughter of John and Pam Harris.
Scott Stuntz (Professor Willard) from Greene, an option open sophomore in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and is the son of Steve and
Kathi Stuntz.
Jack Klein (Mr. Webb) is from Pella, a freshman in electrical engineering, and is the son of Robert and Gretchen Klein.
Jason Pollard (Si Crowell) is from Overland Park, KS; a junior in electrical engineering with a minor in performing arts; and is the
son of Patrick and Debbie Pollard.
Sarvesh Anavkar (Joe Stoddard) is from Marion, a sophomore in industrial engineering with a minor in performing arts, and is the
son of Viraj and Shriya Anavkar.
Lindsey Osborn (Woman #2/Lady in the Box) is from Humboldt, a junior in performing arts, and is the daughter of Ray and Lark
Osborn.
Matt Wymore (Man in the Auditorium/Baseball Player/Man #1) is from Oskaloosa, a sophomore with an open option enrollment in
Liberal Arts and Sciences, and is the son of Lee and Joyce Wymore.
Gaylen Miller (Sam Craig) is from Aurelia, a freshman in performing arts and English, and is the son of John Miller of Aurelia and
Jolene Hultgren of Alta.