OUR TOWN Q&A with Gillian Hurst

Over the coming weeks, we're blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27. Get your tickets now and for more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

OUR TOWN Q&A with Gillian Hurst (playing Rebecca Gibbs--smart kid sister)

1. You're sitting at Mr. Morgan's drugstore counter.  What would you order for an old-time-y treat?

It is a dream of mine to go back in time and sit at one of those counters!  Growing up, there was a pharmacy in my small New England town that still has a counter... but they don't serve anything anymore.  My mom told me a story about the place every time we went in.  Honestly, I want one of those strawberry phosphates everyone in Grover's Corners is talkin' about!

2. What question would you like an audience member to ask Editor Webb about Grover's Corners?

I would like to know more about the newspaper.  How many people subscribe?  Do they cover global, national and local news?  How do they stay financially afloat?  Do the townspeople love the paper?  Do they write sassy letters to the editor?  Would love to know more!


3. Our tag line for the show is, "A Sweet and Tart Slice of Small Town Life."  If we made a kind of pie in tribute to your character, what kind of pie would you be?

Rebecca is a sweet, smart girl with a wise, playful side.  She has something old-fashioned about her, but with a youthful thirst for science and money matters.  In tribute to Rebecca Gibbs, I would have to pick a strawberry-rhubarb pie.  It is a classic pie that mixes sweetness and tartness, with a citrus punch.  The ingredients might be growing in her mom's garden and she would serve it up to the people she really loves!

And here's a recipe for strawberry-rhubarb pie!

www.gillianhurst.com

OUR TOWN: Liquor and Lovers

Over the coming weeks, we're blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27. Get your tickets now and for more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

The more we rehearse and discuss OUR TOWN, I'm struck by it being much spicier and more intriguing than it seemed when I first read it in high school English.

At rehearsal last night, the entire cast was talking about the gossip in the play about the town drunk, Simon Stimson.  We touched on whether or not Simon would be aware of AA at that time (1901 in the play).

This morning, one of our actors, A.J. Heekin (playing Joe/Si Crowell and Sam Craig), sent me the following fascinating bit of color:


Samuel Steward

A friend was recommending I read a biography on Samuel Steward, called Secret Historian: The Life and Times of Samuel Steward, Professor, Tattoo Artist and Sexual Renegade.  

I always knew that Wilder wrote the third act of OUR TOWN after a walk with some guy, but I didn't realize it was Steward.  Steward was an alcoholic who eventually got sober in AA.  Now, I know AA started in 1935 and Wilder completed the play in 1937; sounds like Steward was just getting into his heaviest drinking phase when Wilder wrote the third act, so... an active alcoholic was his muse.  And perhaps the play (and Stimson's demise) were catalysts for Steward to join the program.

I also just caught the resemblance between the names Sam Steward and Simon Stimson.  Additionally, we've talked a bit that Simon could be played as a closeted gay man.  Steward was gay as well, and I'd imagine this was one of the things that caused him to drink in those dark years.

I Googled Sam Steward and Thornton Wilder, and guess what?  They were lovers (briefly).  This play gets more and more interesting with every read, and much more nuanced.  Thanks for bringing this out, A.J.!

OUR TOWN Q&A with Joshua Mahaffey

Over the coming weeks, we're blogging about the talented team assembled for OUR TOWN, running Oct. 17-27. Get your tickets now and for more about the show, visit www.tictheater.com.

OUR TOWN Q&A with Joshua Mahaffey (playing Wally Webb--boy scout and younger brother)

In my junior year of high school, I played the role of the Stage Manager.  It was among a string of plays during the time when I was figuring out that I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.  It's also one of the largest amounts of text anybody in their right mind should be memorizing (go Jake!).

1.  Of all the occupations in Grover's Corners, which would you most like to attempt?

I would like to try being the milkman.  I wouldn't be wild about the hours, but I'd enjoy visiting everyone and helping them start their day.

2. You're sitting at Mr. Morgan's drugstore counter.  What would you order for an old-time-y treat?

My favorite old-time-y treat would have to be a root beer float with vanilla ice cream.

3. What question would you like an audience member to ask Editor Webb about Grover's Corners?

What kind of tourist accommodations do you have?  Hotels?  Motels?  Tours?  Sounds like a great vacation spot.