MIHS Drama's 'Our Town' Opens May 3

If lavish dramatic productions are a celebration of style over substance, the Drama Department's spring play is an effort to bring the art of acting and imagination back to center-stage.

Directed by Mercer Island High School Drama teacher Daniela Melgar and opening Thursday, May 3, Thornton Wilder's famous meta-play tells the story of day-to-day life: the choices we make, the dreams we have, the people we love, and the things we take for granted. Featuring Kareya Sylversof (as Stage Manager), Kaya McRuer (as Emily Webb) and Peter Litzow (playing George Gibbs) in leading roles, the sentimental and poignant play is set in a small town at the turn of the twentieth century — on a largely empty stage and showcasing the talent of the student-actors. Only tables, chairs and a ladder to help aid the actors in depicting the small town of Grovers' Corner in the audience's imagination.

The play also isn't shy in taking on big themes and big ideas — at times even challenging the artifice of the play itself. The character of the Stage Manager serves as the audience's direct connection to what is happening in the play. She serves as a medium between real life and play life, and her commentary on the action of the play helps pull every audience member into the story.

“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?” asks Emily Webb at a crucial moment in the play, seeking a reply from the Stage Manager.

"It's a play about life, love, longing, regret, hopes, dreams and death," Melgar said. "I think all of us can relate to at least one of these subjects."

There’s a little bit of something in this show for everyone, whether it’s young love, child/parent relationships, the trials and joys of marriage, regrets, loss of a loved one, or a celebration of everything we love and hold sacred.

The three-part play also has a personal connection to MIHS Drama teacher Daniela Melgar. The first monologue she ever memorized as a 13-year-old student-actor was from Our Town.

"I thought in my 13-year-old wisdom that I completely understood the characters and themes of the play," she said. "Here I am many years later and have a new understanding of the play, and I am sure that if I direct this again in another 20 years, my perspective will have changed. And as time passes and we grow older and wiser, we can relate to many of these themes."

This show runs May 3rd-5th and 10th- 12th. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. Presale tickets are $10 and can be purchased during lunch the two weeks before the show, or directly from cast members. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Our Town features the acting work of Kareya Sylvers, Elliott Wittenberg, Jason McRuer, Stephanie Heard, Shannon Bengston, Sophie Lerner, Peter Litzow, Elizabeth Bellitto, Adele Maxwell, Kaya McRuer, Ryan Rouillard, Greg Callahan, Shaarika Kaul, Elizabeth Starnes, Brianna Meehan, Kira Weiner, Aaron Gittelman, Katie Goldstein, Kyle Weiss, Scott Parkman, James Wilson, Brianna Ford, Andrew Padgett, and Zoe Levin.

Audience members can also appreciate the technical and behind-the-scenes work of Technical Director, Scenic and Lighting Designer John Parker, and the student crew: Megan Guedel, Nate Copley, Sarah Marr, Zane Roghaar, Nicholas Shoemaker, Sarah Stewart, Colman Taylor-Manning, and Casey Walden.