By Jennifer O’Donnell
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Rehearsals have just begun for “Our Town”, a play presented by Stages at Camden County College. Opening night will be Friday, May 4, at 8 p.m.
“It’s a love story and a loving life story,” says Dan Patrick, guest director of “Our Town” and professor at CCC. This Pulitzer Prize-winning play was written by Thornton Wilder and debuted in 1938. Patrick explains that, “This story is one of the workhorses in American theater, in that someone is doing this play somewhere, every day.”
The story is set in a fictional, small town in New Hampshire called Grovers Corners. The main character is the stage manager/narrator, played by Shawn O’Brien. The first act introduces you to the people of the town and tells what life is like. O’Brien will also introduce you to the Webb and Gibbs families. The second act is the marriage of George Gibbs, played by Ian Taylor, and Emily Webb, played by CCC theater student Sadie Mawson. The third and final act has a twist which incorporates life and death … and life.
This is Mawson’s second role in a production at CCC and her first being cast as one of the leads. When asked what she hopes the audience gets out of her role as Emily, she said she hopes the audience picks up the subtleties of this play. “Everyday life can be awesome but you never really realize it until it’s gone,” Mawson says.
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Greg Still, CCC theater major in his last semester, has three roles in the play. He plays Joe Stewart, the undertaker. He also plays a baseball player and the box lady. When asked how he will prepare playing a female, he says, “It’s basically hard work and focus.” He has played female roles in the past. This is Still’s fourth production at CCC.
You can see “Our Town” on May 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and May 6 at 3 p.m. in the Little Theater in Lincoln Hall, Blackwood campus. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for CCC students and staff. Payments can be made in cash or check. For more information please call (856) 227-7200, ext. 4737 or visit http://www.stagesccc.com.
Shawn O’Brien and Ian Taylor enjoy down time before rehearsal begins in the Little Theater at CCC. By Jennifer O’Donnell, CCC Journalism Program