Our Town “The Greatest American Play Ever Written”

Photos courtesy Pendragon Theatre

The Pendragon Theatre presents Our Town, a tender play about how we must embrace and appreciate the value of life itself as the final production of its 2023 season.

Our Town is a three-act play created by American playwright Thornton Wilder in 1938. Described by Edward Albee as "the greatest American play ever written," showcases the fictional American town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens.

Wilder uses metatheatrical devices, setting the play in the actual theatre where it is being performed. The main character is the theatre's stage manager, who directly addresses the audience, brings in guest lecturers, fields questions from the audience, and fills in some of the roles. The play is performed without a set on a mostly bare stage. With a few exceptions, the actors mime actions without the use of props.

A unique performance experience.

The first two Acts of the play will take place in the Pendragon Theatre. Weather permitting, audiences will be guided outdoors to the Pine Ridge Cemetery (behind the Theatre) to experience the final scene.

This final scene of Our Town lasts 30-40 minutes, and there will be seating or the option to stand in the cemetery. Ushers will guide the audience to and from this outdoor location.

Should there be rain or inclement weather, the play will stay indoors for the entirety of the performance.

To purchase tickets and get more information, visit the Pendragon’s website.

The play will also be performed as a matinee at 2 pm Sunday, August 27, 2023.

For the “Jeopardy” crowd.

The first performance of Our Town was at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey, on January 22, 1938. It went on to success on Broadway, received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and remains popular today with frequent revivals.