The Barn Theatre’s premiere of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play “Our Town” on Friday, Oct 8, was outstanding and thought provoking according to many theatre attendees. The award-winning play has not returned to the local theater until now, and theatre attendee’s and actors were thrilled with the production.

This play is a portrayal of small town American life at the turn of the 20th century, and shows how important the “little things in life” are, like noticing a star, or watching the sunset, or saying, “I love you” to our loved ones.

Over 1,482 people saw “Our Town” during the Barn Theatre’s first season from 1948-1949. It was the most popular play in the repertoire, in fact, effectively put the Barn Theatre on the map in 1949.

Despite it being a distinctly American play, the story of “Our Town” transcends borders, and remains international. It is a time capsule, and shows a life that mostly no longer exists. The play offers a glimpse into the daily lives of people at the turn of the 20th century, and follows the lives of two families, the Gibbs’s and the Webb’s, in a small New Hampshire town, from 1901 until 1913, just before WWI.

An exemplifying moment occurs when the Stage Manager, played by Steve Edwards, comments about the town in “Our Town.” “There are the same names in the graveyard, as the same names that are still “in town.” From the 16th century to the turn of the 20th century, he says, “We know the facts about everybody in town.”

The play is a celebration of life, and love, and the story urges the audience to remember, “that every second counts,” or “people are meant to live two by two,” and “it’s important to be happy.”

Wilder’s 1938 masterpiece is showing at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23, and at 2:15 p.m. on Sunday Oct. 17, 24. Cost for each showing is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, students, and $5 for children 12 and under.

Reservations for brunch on Oct. 17 are required by Oct. 13. Cost is $12.

There are 6 performances of this outstanding play, and the Barn is offering special rates to teachers if they would like to make “Our Town” a class assignment.

"The play was extremely well acted, from the older actors to the youngest. They really seem to feel the parts. They’re simple, meaningful parts," said Phil Gorne. Phil Gorne’s father, Les Gorne, met Thornton Wilder in North Africa, at the beginning of WWII.

Terri Tate, who plays Mrs. Gibbs, says, "Coming from a small town, but it could be any town, this play is about relationships. And how little things in your life are the IMPORTANT things. The older I get the more relevant this play becomes. It is very reflective about life in general."

Jack Gutting plays the Editor of the Grover’s Corners Sentinel newspaper, says, "the town is 86 percent Republican, 6 percent Democrat, and the other percentage undetermined. Ninety percent of the kids settle down here, people are diligent, and do their best to take care of the people who can’t take care of themselves. There ain’t much culture here, but we are aware of nature, and the time of the seasons, and take delight in the sunset."

"The play was fantastic, we thoroughly enjoyed it", said Betty Joe Dennis, while Doris Sims, said. "I thoroughly enjoyed the play. The young people were really exceptional actors."

"The story was very dry, not for little children,” said Jean Peel, the grandmother of Christin Peel, who plays Emily Webb, "But it has a very good message, besides being very entertaining."

"I was thrilled the way the play turned out", said a delighted Christin Peel, on her opening night. Christin plays Emily Webb, one of the leading roles in “Our Town.” She says, she thinks that the play has an important message, and feels that people need to remember to "live life to the fullest".

Tracee Garcia was in the audience watching her two sons in the play, Tony Garcia, and Javier Garcia, who were as Si and Joe Crowell. An example of brothers playing as brother characters.

Theatre attendees Debbie Parnam, and her mother, Norma Johnson, of Woodville, said, "This is our first time at the Barn Theatre to see the play ‘Our Town.’ We’ve always wanted to see a play here, and see what the Barn was like."

Terri Tate, who plays Mrs. Gibb’s in “Our Town,” said, "Everyone did a great job. They were so on tonight."

When leaving the theatre, Debbie Parham said, "We really enjoyed the play. It made me cry."