Naperville Central's 'Our Town' Won't Rely On Flashy Props

NAPERVILLE, IL — A stripped-down version of “Our Town” can be seen this weekend performed by more than a couple dozen Naperville Central High School students Nov. 2 - 4. “Our Town” is produced with minimal props and scenery, according to the play’s director, Susan Johnson. Pulitzer Prize winner Thornton Wilder’s story is set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. It follows the lives of two teenagers between the years of 1901 - 1913 as they manage their lives, love, marriage and death. Accompanying Johnson is Student Assistant Director Joshua Anstrand. The show's narrator and stage manager role is played by Alex Jech.

Students Sophie Michael and Payton Nesci play Emily Webb and George Gibbs, respectively. Nesci is a junior in his second main stage production. Small-town living, he says, is what drew him to this story.

“The setting truly shows how amazing events can happen in the smallest of places,” he says. His character, Gibbs, “has a playfulness to him and doesn’t need to put on any type of persona to make people like him, which I can relate to.” But, he admits, he does have a just a bit of awkwardness in him, like his character does, too. Nesci describes “Our Town” as an “intricate story filled with many layers of characters, story and themes. The show is heavy, and no small undertaking to watch.”

Showtime is at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings in Naperville Central’s auditorium at 440 Aurora Ave. Tickets are $5 at the door.

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