OUR TOWN Q&A with Brian Roach -- George Gibbs

Over the last few weeks, we've been blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27.  While we're SOLD OUT (hurrah!), you can try your luck at the door for standby tickets. For more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

We sat down with actor Brian Roach and got his thoughts on playing George Gibbs.

1. Which occupation in Grover's Corners would you most like to attempt?

I think that I would like Howie Newsome's.   Delivering the milk each day allows him to be in touch and get to know each person in the town in a way that not many others do.  Howie seems to be one of those people who is a constant presence in town while going about his own business.  Everyone in town relies on him and he is the type of person that everyone is comfortable chatting up, whether it is about the weather, or George Gibbs giving up baseball for the married life.  He seems to be one of those under-the-radar overall good guys.  Plus, who wouldn't want to walk around town with a horse all day?!  

2. What would a time capsule for your life include?

• My copy of the OUR TOWN script! I saw OUR TOWN several years ago at the Barrow St. Theater and left telling my friend I went with that it would be a dream to one day play George Gibbs in a production of it.  The fact that this has become a reality is still a bit surreal and is so meaningful to me.  
• My mother's recipe for deviled eggs.  My cholesterol spikes twice a year when she makes them for holidays and future generations should get to experience the same.  
• The soundtrack for the Broadway show ONCE: A NEW MUSICAL.  The show, for me, was transformative (all three times that I've seen it) and future generations need to experience the brilliance of it.   

3. Which birthday would you want to relive, and why?

I would relive my 14th birthday.  My best friend Wendy's parents brought us to New York City to see Titanic on broadway.  We took the train down from upstate NY for my first broadway experience and the first trip to NYC that I can remember.  I would like to relive this birthday for two reasons.  First, the show was incredible and I would love the experience of seeing it again and spending the day in New York with those who mean the most to me.  Second, I did not have any realistic aspirations of becoming an actor at the time and don't think that I was fully able to appreciate the performances and all that went into the production.  I would love to revisit the experience, like Emily in Our Town, knowing what I know now and truly have an appreciation for the show as well as the incredible gift that I was given for my birthday.