Weston, VT – Weston Playhouse Theatre is ready to launch the 2018 Main Stage season with Christopher Lloyd starring in Our Town—a fresh take on a timeless classic. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play focuses on the small, fictional town of Grover’s Corners, where ordinary people lead extraordinary lives. This simple yet profound story of community, brought to life by Thornton Wilder’s singular voice, remains one of the most loved plays of all time.
Christopher Lloyd; Photo by Bettina La Plant
Our Town was last produced on the Weston Stage in 1973, starring the late Sam Lloyd Sr., Christopher Lloyd’s elder brother, as the Stage Manager. Lloyd is dedicating his performance to his brother, who helped him start his acting career at Weston in the 1960’s. Best known for his film and television work including the Back to the Future trilogy, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Taxi, Christopher Lloyd last appeared at the Playhouse in Death of A Salesman in 2010. His extensive stage credits include the Tony Award-winning production of Morning’s At Seven, Twelfth Night in the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park, and Caucasian Chalk Circle at Classic Stage Company.
Julie Benko, Girl from last year’s hit musical, Once, and Vichet Chum, who developed his celebrated one-man play, Knyum, at Weston’s Artist Retreat, play the central characters, Emily Webb and George Gibbs. The cast features three generations of Weston favorites, including Munson Hicks, Christine Toy Johnson, Philip Kerr, Barbara Lloyd, Raphael Peacock, Tim Rush, Dorothy Stanley, and Brandy Zarle.
The production will be helmed by Steve Stettler, marking the final directorial project of his thirty-year tenure as Producing Artistic Director. He has assembled a world-class creative team, including scenic designer Kristen Robinson (Tenderly, The Other Place), lighting designer Jiyoun Chang (Uncle Vanya, The Glass Menagerie), costume designer Kirche Leigh Zeile (The Music Man, Death of A Salesman), and composer/sound designer Daniel Kluger (Uncle Vanya, Death of A Salesman).
“Although set in early 20th century New Hampshire, Our Town is Shakespearean in its theatricality and scope. Wilder’s Stage Manager is our guide through the play, taking various roles himself, and it is performed with little scenery and mimed props. We have embraced that approach by casting a talented and diverse ensemble, many of whom play multiple roles, and who provide all the music and sound effects to support the story,” says Stettler.
Sponsored by Manchester Designer Outlets, Our Town runs June 21-July 7 at the Weston Playhouse (12 Park St in Weston). Show times are at 7:30pm on Tuesday-Saturday, 2:00pm on Wednesday and Saturday, and at 3:00pm on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased by calling the box office between 10:00-6:00pm at 802-824-5288, or by visiting westonplayhouse.org. Ask about dinner at the theatre’s farm to table restaurant, West Town Eatery, and Weston’s famed post-show Cabaret. Our Town is a Vermont Arts 2018 Event.