Whitney Players Celebrate 20 Years & ‘Our Town’s’ Thornton Wilder

HAMDEN, CT — (Contributed): The Whitney Players will celebrate 20 years of bringing theater to Hamden, and the surrounding towns in Connecticut, with their special production of Our Town.

Performances are Jan. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. All performances will be held at Hamden Hall Country Day School, 1108 Whitney Avenue. Tickets and information available at: www.thewhitneyplayers.org.

The play, Our Town, has been produced more than any other American play. The Whitney Players’ Director, Cindy Simell-Devoe, is proud to have brought major musical productions to Hamden residents through the years.

The choice of Our Town, instead, to celebrate their 20 years was obvious to Simell-Devoe. Thornton Wilder’s home is just steps from Hamden Hall. Wilder’s influence, brilliant writing and that play bring special meaning to Hamden, as well as the many adults and children that Whitney Players brought joy to over the years.

Play goers will see many familiar faces in the outstanding cast.

Jackie Downing, usually the stage manager for Whitney Players productions, will take on the actual role of The Stage Manager in Our Town. She joins PJ August as George and Michaela Salzo as Emily, Hamden notable Jay Kaye as Doc Gibbs; and cast members ranging in age from 12-92.

The Hamden Public Library, home to playwright Thornton Wilder’s many personal belongings, including his writing desk, joins with The Whitney Players by offering two unique panels on Wilder, theater, writing and costuming. They include:

• Jan. 16, 6:30 p.m. A Free Zoom Panel: International Thornton Wilder Scholars discuss the impact of the playwright with “our town’s” chamber executive and broadcaster, Ray Andrewsen.
• Thornton Wilder Writing Contest: Offered since 1978, high school students in New Haven County submit up to 2,500-word essays by Feb. 9, 2024 to: TWilder@hamdenlibrary.org and the chance to win up to $500 offered through an endowment from Thornton Wilder’s sister, Isabel Wilder.
• March 12, 6:30 p.m., Thornton Wilder Hall, Miller Library: Dr. Pat Troutman, founder and director of Global Garment Engineering, will discuss the challenges of “costuming and fit.” Dr. Troutman developed 3D design costume resolutions for, among others, Disney’s Frozen and the movie, Bohemian Rhapsody.

Lindy Lee Gold will serve as the Honorary Chairperson for the Whitney Players 20th Anniversary. Gold, a Senior Specialist for the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, has been a champion of the arts in Hamden and throughout the State. A graduate of Hamden Hall School, Lindy also serves on the board of the Shubert Performing Arts Center and is a Cultural Affairs Commissioner for the city of New Haven. Lindy believes in the “power of storytelling and the transformative impact of the arts.” She is honored to facilitate bringing Our Town to Hamden Hall.