Written by Thornton Wilder
Directed by Ryan Miles
Closing Weekend: February 11 & 12 at 7:30pm
“There is something eternal in each of us.”
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.
Production Staff
Rod Oden
Mackenzie Rosko
Beth Bentley
Executive Director Rod Oden
Whether for the audiences on a professional stage or teaching students in a technical workshop, Rod Oden is proud to have over fifteen years experience in a variety of venues, genres and audiences. Rod has designed on stages from Los Angeles to New Orleans, and in virtually every type of venue. He enjoys working alongside community members, volunteers and students to help grow and create professional experiences in the theatre. Rod’s experience has provided him a varied theatrical background, including being a former Artistic Director, founding 2 non-for-profit theatre groups, marketing and business systems for the theatre, all the while enjoying the privilege of Technical Directing.
Some of his favorite work includes Tuck Everlasting (New Orleans Regional Premiere), Chicago, August: Osage County, The 39 Steps, The Mousetrap, Spamalot, How I learned to Drive, Shrek, and Lombardi (WV Premiere). Rod was previously the Production Manager & Technical Director of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society in New Orleans, LA and the Technical Director of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV. He has worked with countless community theaters, educational organizations and professional troupes to produce quality, high-end productions audiences have enjoyed watching.
As Executive Director, Rod looks forward to continuing Lee Street’s strong delivery of productions, concerts and events that exemplify our Mission Statement and Values. He also looks forward to continuing and growing our community partnerships, investing even more on the strong community that is Salisbury. Rod is blessed and thankful for his beautiful wife Raquel and his four precious boys Tristan, Lucas, Jamie and Sylar. He also enjoys spending time with his two lovely daughters Ariel and Isabelle.
About the Author Thornton Wilder
Thornton Wilder (1897-1975), born in Madison, Wisconsin, and educated at Yale and Princeton, was an accomplished novelist and playwright whose works explore the connection between the commonplace and the cosmic dimensions of human experience. The Bridge of San Luis Rey, one of his seven novels, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928, and his next-to-last novel, The Eighth Day, received the National Book Award (1968). Two of his four major plays garnered Pulitzer Prizes: Our Town (1938) and The Skin of Our Teeth (1943). His play The Matchmaker ran on Broadway for 486 performances (1955-1957), Mr. Wilder's Broadway record, and was later adapted into the record-breaking musical Hello, Dolly!