As she delivered her lines, the young actress folded an imaginary stack of laundry. Opening night was more than two weeks away. So it was logical to assume that the props were still coming. It was logical, but incorrect.
Storm King School is presenting Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” on Nov. 13-15. Director Ann Fulton told us that there are no props in the script, possibly because the author thought they would be distractions.
As a result, an actor tosses an invisible newspaper onto the front step, and another cast member leaves an imaginary bottle of milk. The sound effects make the pantomimes easier to accept. And so does the strong story line.
Why did Mrs. Fulton choose this play for a cast of high school students? It’s obviously inexpensive to produce. It’s also the first show she appeared in as an actress.
But her motivation was different. The plot has several small town teenagers — making the roles comfortable for some of her young cast members. And she loved the simplicity of the show, which has allowed it to endure through several decades.
It was considered experimental when it debuted in 1938, with characters tearing down the fourth wall and speaking directly to the audience. But Mrs. Fulton worried that her performers might consider it old-fashioned, and find it hard to relate to individuals from the turn of the last century.
But her concerns were unfounded. Although the students weren’t familiar with the show, they enjoyed the film version with Paul Newman playing the stage manager, who serves as a narrator. They’ve studied the script in English class, and they’ve played their roles with so much enthusiasm and understanding that you hardly notice the lack of props.
Cast: Victoria Alfiieri, Jutta Appiah, Paul Cohen-Addad, Olivia deBree, Amelia Douches, Eleven, Nicholas George, Michael Girolametti, Moniesha Hayles, Ashira Mayers, Alicia Nunez, Catherine Pomeroy, Elizabeth Pomeroy, Gabrielle Quartey, Asia Raacke, Scott Rolon, Pedro Silva, Palmer Smith, Drew Solender, Zoe Stene, Bridget Wickiser
Note: Curtain time at the Walter Reade Jr. Theatre is 7 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 14, and 2 p.m. on Nov. 15.Tickets will be available at the door. Call 458-7521 or email afulton@sks.org to reserve seats in advance.
