"Our Town" brings American classic to Marion stage
Jade Beauregard's character Emily Webb, left, shares a scene with DiMatteo's George Gibbs. Photos source: Cathleen Broderick.
Donn Tyler as the Stage Manager monologues to the audience. 
Cast is made of nearly 30 people, unusually large for productions at the Marion Art Center. 
Matt Lynds's character Mr. Webb comforts his daughter Emily. 
George and Emily look up at the moon, backed by the town's choir. 
Emily gazes at the night sky after a conversation with George. 
George grins after talking to Emily. 
Margo Ruggiero, left, plays Emily's mother and is Beauregard's real-life mom as well.
Jade Beauregard's character Emily Webb, left, shares a scene with DiMatteo's George Gibbs. Photos source: Cathleen Broderick.
Donn Tyler as the Stage Manager monologues to the audience.
Cast is made of nearly 30 people, unusually large for productions at the Marion Art Center.
Matt Lynds's character Mr. Webb comforts his daughter Emily.
George and Emily look up at the moon, backed by the town's choir.
Emily gazes at the night sky after a conversation with George.
George grins after talking to Emily.
Margo Ruggiero, left, plays Emily's mother and is Beauregard's real-life mom as well.
MARION — As they draw the curtains of their first week of performances at the Marion Art Center, the cast of “Our Town” has spotlighted the importance of slowing down and appreciating the little things in life.
Set in the fictional town of Gover’s Corner, New Hampshire, the 1938 Thornton Wilder play depicts the ordinary lives of the town’s residents as they grow up, fall in love and experience loss. It follows neighbors George Gibbs and Emily Webb as they grow from childhood friends to spouses.
Director Pippa Asker said the play has always been one of her favorites, and said its universal themes have touched audiences since it was published.
“It has continued to touch people's lives, because it's timeless,” Asker said. “Everyone realizes that life is fleeting and you need to live it to the fullest and know what's important, so that's why I love it.”
It’s a timeless show for its cast members, too. Both Donn Tyler, who plays the lead role of Stage Manager, and Jason DiMatteo, who plays George Gibbs, have been part of “Our Town” productions in the past.
Tyler co-directed the show in 1998 at the Marion Music Hall alongside fellow director Jane Babbitt. He said now that he’s older, his performance is informed by his experience of many of the things the story covers.
“I enjoyed it back then, but at this stage of life it's an honor to do this part,” he said.
He said the show is an American classic for a reason, and even though it is set in a specific time and place it’s relevant to modern audiences everywhere.
DiMatteo said playing a small part in a previous production of the show helped him prepare for one of the leading roles. The Franklin actor said in the several times he’s seen the show he’s appreciated a new part of it but at its core it’s about appreciating what you have when you have it.
”Eventually things are going to change and you won't be able to come back to this point,” he said.
Jade Beauregard, who plays Emily Webb, said while many people interpret the show’s ending as tragic, she sees it to be more “hopeful and sweet.”
In the third act, her character revisits childhood memories from beyond the grave and realizes how many moments she let slip by unappreciated. Beauregard said the conclusion gives viewers a new appreciation for the mundane and motivation to live life as well as possible while it’s still possible..
“Life is happening to us, and there's no way we can really appreciate how wonderful it is, but that's just how it is,” she said. “We all have to eventually move on, which I think is beautiful.”
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