Curtain rises on Vernon Township High School's play

VERNON-At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 12 and Saturday, Nov. 13, the curtain rises on Vernon Township High School's production of ‘Our Town.' Theater teacher Barri Weinstein directs the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic about the importance of living in the moment and appreciating the simple everyday experience. Alyssandra Docherty heads the cast as the narrative character, The Stage Manager. Portraying the young lovers Emily and George are Virginia Bosch and Scott Wentzell respectively. Michael Passaretti and Kelly Barfoot perform the roles of Dr. Gibbs and Mrs. Gibbs, while the roles of Mr. Webb and Mrs. Webb are played by Peter Owczarek and Amy Schultz. Others rounding out the cast include Adam Romano as Simon Stimson, Samantha Adams as Mrs. Soames, Andrew Gallagher as Wally Webb andValerie Miebach as Rebecca Gibbs. Also appearing in the cast are Joe Monzo as Constable Warren, Matt Tiberi as Joe Crowell, Bill Schultz as Si Crowell, Aaron Freed as Howie Newsome, Keliann Glowacki as Joanne Stoddard and Brittany Beattie as Samantha Craig. Other townspeople are portrayed by a group of fifteen additional students. Reviewing the original New York production, Brooks Atkinson wrote in the New York Times that ‘Our Town' "transmuted the simple events of human life into a universal reverie." Called America's most-read and most-produced play, it has also been translated into many languages and seen internationally. ‘Our Town' illuminates the human experience through the past, present and future of the residents of Grover's Corners, N.H. Dispensing with realistic stage conventions and settings, Wilder conjures the world of the play with no scenery and a minimum of furniture and props, introducing a Stage Manager who addresses the audience directly and serves as narrator and guide. The first act takes place over the course of a single day - May 7, 1901. The second act is set three years later, culminating in the wedding of two young people, George and Emily. The third act, nine years later, is set among graves in a cemetery. Thornton Wilder wrote in a 1957 Preface to a published collection of his work, Three Plays, "The play is an attempt to find a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life." Tickets are available at the door with a discounted price of $7 for students and senior citizens and $9 for adults.