I used to be an usher for school plays in high school for bonus points in a class. One year they did this play. 16 year old me was not ready for the themes this play deals with. Watching it at nearly 30 years old is a trip. It’s profoundly moving. The stage manager’s monologue at the start of the last act hits much harder as you get older. It’s so sad when Emily breaks down because she realizes she can’t relive events of the past, as the emotional turmoil of doing so is just too much for anyone. Great writing and great actors
I saw it for the first time when I was sixteen, too; moved to tears, I was. The next year our high school performed Our Town. 3 weeks before auditions the director came to me with a script and said "You're the Stage Manager, start memorizing now." It stands to be one of the most humbling privileges to have played such a pivotal role for arguably the greatest play ever written. To get to the closing monologue, to speak as to hear a pin drop all around you as you painted how life goes on as it always does, to wish the audience a good rest and good night, and that moment of silence as it all sunk in before the rush of applause... it was a trip to be sure.
Peter Kreeft once said the tragedy of Our Town is that it's so simple it's usually taught to high school aged kids, who don't yet have the life experience to grasp it. I'm 38 and try to watch the third act once a year - it's a masterpiece and makes me weep every time. It hits just as hard in 2024 as it did in 1940 - how many of us, if after death we could go back and observe ourselves living, would be dismayed that we were always distracted from everything wonderful around us, and were more concerned with cleaning the house or whatever was on a screen?
UPDATE: "Our Town" is returning to Broadway next month. This time around, Jim Parsons (Yep- that Jim Parsons, Sheldon- Big Bang Theory) is playing the stage manager. Richard Thomas and Katie Holmes are playing Mr. and Mrs. Webb, respectively. Jeffrey DeMunn and Frances Fisher played them in this production.
This is my favorite play! Loved the movie starring Robert Holden. I had the honor of seeing this at the Westport Country Playhouse before it went to Broadway. I had a 3rd row seat and could almost reach out and touch Paul when he was on stage. The Newmans lived in Westport, as did I in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early oughts. Paul drove a VW beetle convertible and passed my house on North Main Street many a time. Walking on Main Street one day, I saw he and Joanne walking towards me. There was an unwritten agreement in Westport not to bother the celebrities who lived in town, so I passed them with a pounding heart and without acknowledging them. He was a gorgeous man. After he passed, I saw Joanne at a political rally on the town green. She was a lovely grandmother. She has Alzheimer’s now, and has not been seen publicly for a long time. Wonderful memories of a time now gone by - both in Westport and in Thornton Wilder’s New England town.
I just read (and watched) this for the first time ever in preparation for seeing it on Broadway in 2 weeks. I’m a crying mess. I don’t know how I’m going to hold it together in the theater
I saw this play in my own native language when I was 20 or 21. Taking a cab back home I cried all the way in the cab and could not stop crying after getting home. Now 30 years later I know why I cried so hard. Through the genius of the playwright I was able to have glimpse of passage of time before even being older. This play is a masterpiece.
Thank you so much for posting this. A wonderful production of my all time favorite play. However, I was always unreasonably irked by the fact that in Act III Emily greets several people by name but not her brother Wally. Some productions (including the 1940 film) add a verbal exchange others (e.g. the excellent 1977 TV production) are faithful to the original and have no acknowledgement of Wally by his newly arrived sister. in this version there is a wonderful, touching moment at 1:38:48 where Emily stands before Wally and they exchange an unspoken look and a slight smile passes Wally's otherwise expressionless face for a brief instant. I found it to be a lovely natural way to address the brother and sister reunion without muddying up one of the most brilliant final acts of a play. Thanks again!
Paiul Newman was in the 1955 TV version, where he played George. The play featured Frank Sinatra as the stage manager. Eve Marie Saint played Emily. It's available on You Tube.
I am from this area and they nailed the life! I know my mother's side back to 1600s Massachusetts Bay Colony (Pilgrims settlement), father's side "PolishTown". We're a perfect American melting pot! ps later on in life, ended up living by the Newmans and my husb and fam raced w him at our/Newman's track Lime Rock Park CT. helluva racer and lovely family. Everyone leaves them alone, sad when he passed and I think of/pray for Joanne in her illness. Good people. that's a high compliment here! few can come from away/outside and blend into this type of life, but they did it, just plain regular decent folks. God bless them!
Maybe it’s the vodka but wow I cannot make it through the first ten minutes of this. I’ll come back whenever UA-cam pops it in my face again. I know it’s a legendary seminal work.
The juice of half a lime in the vodka will do wonders. Don't worry, you've plenty of time to see it....I hope. This play will continue to be produced long after you and I have turned to dust.
I have studied and built my family tree. New England, Mass. Connecticut, New Hampshire etc. This play captures the New England/ descendants of the Puritans perfectly. The Congregational church mentioned was founded by the Puritans. These people were meticulous keepers of genealogical records (when the stage manager looks at notes to see who Julia was before marriage). .
@@Danbach90 I’m mostly referring to the end of the play, the last scenes of Act III. I just rewatched that portion while following along with the text. Yes, the differences are minor. I played Constable Warren in a production of the play many years ago, and I’ve grown so attached to the exact words and phrasing of that final scene, especially the closing lines from the stage manager. They’re delivered so well here-but knowing the words by heart and hearing something different has a smack of dissonance to it.
Your director should be a staunch guide for what is expected from the cast. Spend time deciding what words to emphasize and highlight them in the script so as you're learning it, those words jump out at you and cement themselves as important. Apart from that, let the play affect you; take to heart the lessons and themes because they are truly timeless.
I used to be an usher for school plays in high school for bonus points in a class. One year they did this play. 16 year old me was not ready for the themes this play deals with. Watching it at nearly 30 years old is a trip. It’s profoundly moving. The stage manager’s monologue at the start of the last act hits much harder as you get older. It’s so sad when Emily breaks down because she realizes she can’t relive events of the past, as the emotional turmoil of doing so is just too much for anyone. Great writing and great actors
I saw it for the first time when I was sixteen, too; moved to tears, I was. The next year our high school performed Our Town. 3 weeks before auditions the director came to me with a script and said "You're the Stage Manager, start memorizing now." It stands to be one of the most humbling privileges to have played such a pivotal role for arguably the greatest play ever written. To get to the closing monologue, to speak as to hear a pin drop all around you as you painted how life goes on as it always does, to wish the audience a good rest and good night, and that moment of silence as it all sunk in before the rush of applause... it was a trip to be sure.
Peter Kreeft once said the tragedy of Our Town is that it's so simple it's usually taught to high school aged kids, who don't yet have the life experience to grasp it. I'm 38 and try to watch the third act once a year - it's a masterpiece and makes me weep every time. It hits just as hard in 2024 as it did in 1940 - how many of us, if after death we could go back and observe ourselves living, would be dismayed that we were always distracted from everything wonderful around us, and were more concerned with cleaning the house or whatever was on a screen?
So beautifully explained. Thank you.
Never has been anyone better or more handsome than Paul Newman !!!!!!!! I loved him since my teens! I'm 72 now and still do!!!!
Those blue eyes and him riding that bicycle.
Yes, and he says goodnight directly to us -💚🥰🐾❤️🌏🧡
I had the distinct privilege of seeing this live.
UPDATE: "Our Town" is returning to Broadway next month. This time around, Jim Parsons (Yep- that Jim Parsons, Sheldon- Big Bang Theory) is playing the stage manager. Richard Thomas and Katie Holmes are playing Mr. and Mrs. Webb, respectively. Jeffrey DeMunn and Frances Fisher played them in this production.
This is my favorite play! Loved the movie starring Robert Holden. I had the honor of seeing this at the Westport Country Playhouse before it went to Broadway. I had a 3rd row seat and could almost reach out and touch Paul when he was on stage. The Newmans lived in Westport, as did I in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early oughts. Paul drove a VW beetle convertible and passed my house on North Main Street many a time. Walking on Main Street one day, I saw he and Joanne walking towards me. There was an unwritten agreement in Westport not to bother the celebrities who lived in town, so I passed them with a pounding heart and without acknowledging them. He was a gorgeous man. After he passed, I saw Joanne at a political rally on the town green. She was a lovely grandmother. She has Alzheimer’s now, and has not been seen publicly for a long time. Wonderful memories of a time now gone by - both in Westport and in Thornton Wilder’s New England town.
I had the great good fortune to see this live in NYC. Just as memorable and luminous as Paul Newman was on the screen and in person.
How very cool!
I just read (and watched) this for the first time ever in preparation for seeing it on Broadway in 2 weeks. I’m a crying mess. I don’t know how I’m going to hold it together in the theater
I saw this play in my own native language when I was 20 or 21. Taking a cab back home I cried all the way in the cab and could not stop crying after getting home.
Now 30 years later I know why I cried so hard. Through the genius of the playwright I was able to have glimpse of passage of time before even being older.
This play is a masterpiece.
For me, one of the most coveted stage roles is that of the Stage Manager in this play. Paul Newman was terrific in this. RIP.
I've always wanted to see this one. Really nice. Thank you for posting.
I am playing Mrs. Webb this Thursday. So excited
how did it go?
Thank you so much for posting this. A wonderful production of my all time favorite play. However, I was always unreasonably irked by the fact that in Act III Emily greets several people by name but not her brother Wally. Some productions (including the 1940 film) add a verbal exchange others (e.g. the excellent 1977 TV production) are faithful to the original and have no acknowledgement of Wally by his newly arrived sister. in this version there is a wonderful, touching moment at 1:38:48 where Emily stands before Wally and they exchange an unspoken look and a slight smile passes Wally's otherwise expressionless face for a brief instant. I found it to be a lovely natural way to address the brother and sister reunion without muddying up one of the most brilliant final acts of a play. Thanks again!
Welcome
Thank you for posting this beautiful show.
I love Paul Newman as the Stage Manager . This is a good version of this amazing play in 2003…. The 1989 version is good too
Paul died 5 years after this performance….. at 83. So he was 78 here. Such an incredible actor
RIP Spalding Gray
89 thank you ...😮I miss Paul we did demo at world market too...thank you
Paiul Newman was in the 1955 TV version, where he played George. The play featured Frank Sinatra as the stage manager. Eve Marie Saint played Emily. It's available on You Tube.
Wake to see our life's moments and appreciate role we have for whatever time we are given...
I am from this area and they nailed the life! I know my mother's side back to 1600s Massachusetts Bay Colony (Pilgrims settlement), father's side "PolishTown". We're a perfect American melting pot! ps later on in life, ended up living by the Newmans and my husb and fam raced w him at our/Newman's track Lime Rock Park CT. helluva racer and lovely family. Everyone leaves them alone, sad when he passed and I think of/pray for Joanne in her illness. Good people. that's a high compliment here! few can come from away/outside and blend into this type of life, but they did it, just plain regular decent folks. God bless them!
So wonderful. Emily and George. The whole cast.
A slice of American pie, bittersweet and profound.
Just to let everyone know it’s coming back on Broadway this September with Jim parsons as the stage manager going to see it on October 30th
Maybe it’s the vodka but wow I cannot make it through the first ten minutes of this. I’ll come back whenever UA-cam pops it in my face again. I know it’s a legendary seminal work.
Imagine walking out of a movie theater after 10min
This is my favorite comment on anything. Hilarious! And this from one who loves the play and was in it. Important work.
The juice of half a lime in the vodka will do wonders. Don't worry, you've plenty of time to see it....I hope. This play will continue to be produced long after you and I have turned to dust.
I have studied and built my family tree. New England, Mass. Connecticut, New Hampshire etc. This play captures the New England/ descendants of the Puritans perfectly. The Congregational church mentioned was founded by the Puritans. These people were meticulous keepers of genealogical records (when the stage manager looks at notes to see who Julia was before marriage). .
this makes me cry.
There’s a movie documentary of a Los Angeles minority high school production of Our Town. It’s as moving, in its own way, as the play itself.
If I had the opportunity to go back I think I would go all the way back to the day I was born.
That would be the hardest day of your life!
A great play that should be revived on Broadway.
It is coming back next month. Jim Parsons is playing the stage manager. Richard Thomas and Katie Holmes are playing Mr. and Mrs. Webb.
Act 2 starts at 47:38.
Very good!🎉❤👏👏👏👏
Incredible.
I fell in love with George
I wish they had stuck to the original script, but overall a very well executed production.
I’m playing the stage manager now. This is pretty much on point
@@Danbach90 I’m mostly referring to the end of the play, the last scenes of Act III. I just rewatched that portion while following along with the text. Yes, the differences are minor. I played Constable Warren in a production of the play many years ago, and I’ve grown so attached to the exact words and phrasing of that final scene, especially the closing lines from the stage manager. They’re delivered so well here-but knowing the words by heart and hearing something different has a smack of dissonance to it.
I love this play but I don’t think anyone can beat the Lincoln theater production from the 80’s
Love the scene with Emily & her mom at 28:28
1:52:47 "...every, every minute..."
Would love to read a complete cast list in the info section.
Do you know about it
Did you know about it at the time. If you knew about it at the time would you done anything about it at the time.
Who is the actress that plays mrs Gibbs, she looks familiar but I can’t figure it out
She is actress Jayne Atkinson.
Im doing this play for highschooo, any tips from actors?
Your director should be a staunch guide for what is expected from the cast. Spend time deciding what words to emphasize and highlight them in the script so as you're learning it, those words jump out at you and cement themselves as important. Apart from that, let the play affect you; take to heart the lessons and themes because they are truly timeless.
@@SmGTwist Thanks so much, its my first year doing plays for them, and im just hoping to do it well😅
I haven’t fallen in there now. Yeah fine
How come automobiles have been around since eight
한국어 번역 부탁드려요ㅠㅠ
Is this accurate to the written play?
Uhhh…yea? It is the written play 😂
Not exact but pretty close.
OMG MR. WEBB IS DALE FROM TWD!!
47:41
Bruh y’all do too much, paul ain’t even allat
Fraud it was supposed to be him Buddy big day