Hatrix Theatre’s production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town continues its second week with shows Thursday to Saturday at the McNally Community Centre.
Local thespian and entertainment journalist veteran Richard Amery says the show is a 1938 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “which is pretty much a time capsule into what life was like in the early 1900s.”
“It’s really philosophical. It’s a sweet play. It’s literally a slice of life of stepping back in time,” Amery adds.
According to Amery, the production has a good-sized cast. “It’s larger than usual.”
“We have people coming all the way from Fort Macleod to be a part of this and people all the way from Taber. It’s community theatre, so everybody is helping out in multiple roles.”
“Everyone has chipped in. They’ve done an amazing job,” notes Amery. “We’ve got a very dedicated cast. We’ve got some really nice vintage costumes.”
But one of the coolest things about the play is its minimal set and minimal props, says Amery. “We’re miming everything, which is challenging.”
“It’s a lot of fun to be a mime for a lot of this,” adds Amery.”
This marks the third time director Karolyn Harker has produced Our Town. “She did it once when she was teaching high school and another at Medicine Hat College. She loves it. It’s her favourite play because it’s so well-written and it’s such a moving production,” says Amery.
“When you see this play and if you grew up in a small town, you’re going to recognize the characters in the play. You know these people. They’re timeless.”
Amery says Our Town is not like Hatrix Theatre’s large-scale musicals presented in the fall. “It is a classic play. It’s been a lot of fun, and we’ve put a lot of work into it. We’ve been working on it since January.”
Doors open at 7 p.m. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information visit online at facebook.com/HatrixPresents. Tickets are available at the door or online.
