Our Town 1938

Ages: 11+
Opened: February 4, 1938

Our Town - 1938 - Broadway History , Info & More

Morosco Theatre
217 West 45th Street New York, NY

Described by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever written,” Our Town presents the small town of Grover’s Corners in three acts: “Daily Life,” “Love and Marriage” and “Death and Eternity.” Narrated by a stage manager and performed with minimal props and sets, the play depicts the simple daily lives of the Webb and Gibbs families as their children fall in love, marry, and eventually – in one of the most famous scenes in American theatre – die. Thornton Wilder's final word on how he wanted his play performed is an invaluable addition to the American stage and to the libraries of theatre lovers internationally.


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Thornton Wilder Library Will Be Completed With Reissue Of Two Early Novels This Week
by Stephi Wild - Aug 8, 2022


The Thornton Wilder Library – a reprint of 10 novels and plays covering the full range of the late, celebrated author's inimitable body-of-work – will be completed this summer with the new publication by HarperCollins of Wilder's first and third novels, THE CABALA and THE WOMAN OF ANDROS in one volume.

Theater Stories: BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, MRS. DOUBTFIRE & More About the Stephen Sondheim Theatre!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2021


Today's Theater Stories features the Stephen Sondheim Theatre! Learn about the theatre's longest-running show, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, the show currently inhabiting the theatre, Mrs. Doubtfire, and more!

Thornton Wilder's Adaptation of A DOLL'S HOUSE Hits the Shelves
by BWW News Desk - Jul 11, 2016


Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is pleased to announce the publication of Thornton Wilder's adaptation of Ibsen's classic A Doll's House.

Public Theater to Present THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER as Part of Public Forum, 12/14
by Tyler Peterson - Dec 8, 2014


The Public Theater announced the return of Public Forum's holiday tradition, a one-night-only Drama Club reading and discussion of THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER on Sunday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe's Pub at The Public. Just in time for the holidays, this exciting evening will feature a reading of Thornton Wilder's 1931 one-act featuring Tarell Alvin McCraney, Ethan Lipton, Andrew Solomon, and Tappan Wilder. Wilder's ingenious, heartbreaking play traces 90 years in the life of an American family, and will spark a discussion about family and storytelling in a society that's rapidly accelerating.

KC Rep's 50th Anniversary Season Opens with David Cromer's OUR TOWN Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Sep 5, 2014


Kansas City Repertory Theatre will open its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of David Cromer's Our Town, an enduring American story which examines the everyday lives of an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century. Our Town, one of the greatest American plays written by Thornton Wilder, the three-time Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist will be directed by David Cromer, MacArthur Foundation 'genius' grant recipient and director of KC Rep's 2009 production of The Glass Menagerie which received national and local critical acclaim. This co-production with UMKC Theatre will feature redesigned seating at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. The show will run tnight, September 5 through 28th.

KC Rep's 50th Anniversary Season to Open with David Cromer's OUR TOWN, 9/5
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 12, 2014


Kansas City Repertory Theatre will open its 50th anniversary celebration with the Kansas City premiere of David Cromer's Our Town, an enduring American story which examines the everyday lives of an average town's citizens in the early twentieth century. Our Town, one of the greatest American plays written by Thornton Wilder, the three-time Pulitzer prize-winning playwright and novelist will be directed by David Cromer, MacArthur Foundation 'genius' grant recipient and director of KC Rep's 2009 production of The Glass Menagerie which received national and local critical acclaim. This co-production with UMKC Theatre will feature redesigned seating at Spencer Theatre in the James C. Olson performing Arts Center on the UMKC campus. The show will run September 5 through 28th. High resolution photos can be found here .

Cynthia Nixon Set for Public Forum Drama Club's THE LONG CHRISTMAS DINNER,12/10
by Tyler Peterson - Nov 18, 2013


The Public Theater announced that Tony Award winner Cynthia Nixon has joined the December Public Forum Drama Club event, The Long Christmas Dinner by Thornton Wilder, on Tuesday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. at Joe's Pub. In Public Forum Drama Club, authors, musicians, journalists, scholars, and actors come together to give onstage readings of one-act plays that have some special resonance in our lives today. Each reading concludes with a discussion of the hard questions that the play raises about our politics, our culture, and the way we live now.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents OUR TOWN, Now thru 10/27
by BWW News Desk - Sep 26, 2013


Pittsburgh Public Theater's MASTERPIECE SEASON is set to begin with Our Town, the beloved American classic by Thornton Wilder, featuring an all-Pittsburgh cast. Directed by Ted Pappas, Our Town runs tonight, Sept. 26 - Oct. 27 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. Our Town is presented by PNC. The engagement of Tom Atkins in the role of the Stage Manager in Our Town has been generously supported by Richard W. Moriarty, M.D. The engagements of Patrick Cannon and Erin Lindsey Krom in the roles of George Gibbs and Emily Webb have been generously supported by Jim and Electra Agras.

Rachel Maddow, Elizabeth Marvel & More Set for PUBLIC FORUM Series This Fall
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 17, 2013


The Public Theater (Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis; Executive Director, Patrick Willingham) will kick off the fourth season ofPUBLIC FORUM with the new series Drama Club, a book club for plays that will feature one-night-only readings and discussions of works by Kia Corthron, Tony Kushner, and Thornton Wilder at Joe's Pub. Curated by Jeremy McCarter, the popular PUBLIC FORUM series presents the theater of ideas: conversations and performances with leading voices in politics, media, and the arts.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents OUR TOWN, 9/26 - 10/27
by Rosie Hertzman - Sep 11, 2013


Pittsburgh Public Theater's MASTERPIECE SEASON begins with Our Town, the beloved American classic by Thornton Wilder, featuring an all-Pittsburgh cast. Directed by Ted Pappas, Our Town runs Sept. 26 - Oct. 27 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. Our Town is presented by PNC.

PPT's 'Masterpiece Season' Begins with OUR TOWN, 9/26-10/27
by Alexandra Strycula - Sep 10, 2013


Pittsburgh Public Theater's 'Masterpiece Season' begins with OUR TOWN, the beloved American classic by Thornton Wilder, featuring an all-Pittsburgh cast. Directed by Ted Pappas, OUR TOWN runs Sept. 26 - Oct. 27 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Blythe Danner, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Rebecca Luker and More Star in Actors Fund's Benefit Reading of OUR TOWN Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2013


Casting is complete for The Actors Fund's benefit reading of the American classic Our Town tonight, March 4, 2013 at 7:30 p .m. at The Gerald R. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street). Tony Winners Blythe Danner, BD Wong and two-time Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson will share the role of the Stage Manager for this one night benefit.

S. Epatha Merkerson, BD Wong and Blythe Danner Join Actors Fund's Benefit Reading of OUR TOWN; Full Cast Announced!
by BWW News Desk - Feb 28, 2013


Casting is complete for The Actors Fund's upcoming benefit reading of the American classic Our Town on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 7:30 p .m. at The Gerald R. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street). Tony Winners Blythe Danner, BD Wong and two-time Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson will share the role of the Stage Manager for this one night benefit.

Celia Keenan-Bolger, Rebecca Luker and More to Star in The Actors Fund OUR TOWN Benefit, 3/4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 4, 2013


The Actors Fund will present a one night only benefit reading of the American classic Our Town on Monday, March 4, 2013 at 7:30 p .m. at The Gerald R. Lynch Theatre at John Jay College (524 West 59th Street). Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the play's Broadway opening, the proceeds from this event will benefit the programs and services of The Actors Fund.

WaterTower Theatre Announces Free Day Of Theatre For Addison Residents 9/26
by BWW News Desk - Sep 26, 2010


WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Terry Martin, announced today a special opportunity for full-time residents of the Town of Addison: Our Town for Our Town, a free performance of WaterTower Theatre's production of Our Town on Sunday, September 26 at 2 pm.

WaterTower Theatre Announces Free Day Of Theatre For Addison Residents 9/26
by Gabrielle Sierra - Sep 10, 2010


WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Terry Martin, announced today a special opportunity for full-time residents of the Town of Addison: Our Town for Our Town, a free performance of WaterTower Theatre's production of Our Town on Sunday, September 26 at 2 pm.

WaterTower Announces Creative Team For OUR TOWN
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 16, 2010


WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director, Terry Martin, announced today the creative team for Our Town which will open the Company's 2010-2011 season.

SUCH THINGS ONLY HAPPEN IN BOOKS Plays The Clurman Theatre 10/6-11/14
by BWW News Desk - Nov 14, 2009


Five years after receiving a Drama Desk nomination for Best Revival of a Play for their production of Pullman Car Hiawatha, two short plays by Thornton Wilder, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) kicks of their tenth anniversary season with the New York professional premiere of Such Things Only Happen in Books, an evening of short plays by Thornton Wilder directed by Carl Forsman and Jonathan Silverstein.

SUCH THINGS ONLY HAPPEN IN BOOKS Plays The Clurman Theatre 10/6-11/14
by BWW News Desk - Oct 6, 2009


Five years after receiving a Drama Desk nomination for Best Revival of a Play for their production of Pullman Car Hiawatha, two short plays by Thornton Wilder, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) kicks of their tenth anniversary season with the New York professional premiere of Such Things Only Happen in Books, an evening of short plays by Thornton Wilder directed by Carl Forsman and Jonathan Silverstein.

Wilbur Theatre Presents Joy Behar 7/24 & Yo La Tengo 9/16
by BWW News Desk - Sep 16, 2009


Wilbur Theatre presents Joy Behar from The View on Friday, July 24 and Yo La Tengo on September 16. The Wilbur Theatre is located in Boston's historic theatre district.

SUCH THINGS ONLY HAPPEN IN BOOKS Plays The Clurman Theatre 10/6-11/14
by Gabrielle Sierra - Sep 11, 2009


Five years after receiving a Drama Desk nomination for Best Revival of a Play for their production of Pullman Car Hiawatha, two short plays by Thornton Wilder, Keen Company (Artistic Director Carl Forsman, Executive Director Wayne Kelton) kicks of their tenth anniversary season with the New York professional premiere of Such Things Only Happen in Books, an evening of short plays by Thornton Wilder directed by Carl Forsman and Jonathan Silverstein.

Wilbur Theatre Presents Joy Behar 7/24 & Yo La Tengo 9/16
by BWW News Desk - Jul 24, 2009


Wilbur Theatre presents Joy Behar from The View on Friday, July 24 and Yo La Tengo on September 16. The Wilbur Theatre is located in Boston's historic theatre district.

Wilbur Theatre Presents Joy Behar 7/24 & Yo La Tengo 9/16
by Ali Leskowitz - Jul 22, 2009


Wilbur Theatre presents Joy Behar from The View on Friday, July 24 and Yo La Tengo on September 16. The Wilbur Theatre is located in Boston's historic theatre district.

HEAVEN'S MY DESTINATION Begins In The Drury Theater 4/24-5/17
by BWW News Desk - Apr 24, 2009


The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

HEAVEN'S MY DESTINATION Begins In The Drury Theater 4/24-5/17
by Gabrielle Sierra - Mar 30, 2009


The Cleveland Play House Artistic Director Michael Bloom announces the world premiere production of Thornton Wilder's novel Heaven's My Destination, adapted by award-winning playwright Lee Blessing. The play is the centerpiece of the fourth annual FusionFest, a multidisciplinary performing arts festival.

Other Productions of Our Town

1938   Broadway
Broadway
1944   Broadway
Broadway
1969   Broadway
Broadway
1988   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2002   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2009   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
2017   Regional (US) Benefit Reading Production
Regional (US)
2019   West End Regent's Park Open Air Theatre London Revival
West End
2024   Broadway Broadway Revival Production
Broadway

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