Our Town

The Union Democrat

"Our Town" still bursting with relevance

Two families, Gibbs and Webb, live side by side on the stage.

David Braga is excellent as the hardworking, sensitive and somewhat distracted Dr. Gibbs. Sally McClellan gives an outstanding and authentic performance as Mrs. Gibbs. She portrays her character as a woman so warm and real that anyone would be proud to count her as a friend or relative.

Their two offspring are George and his meddlesome younger sister, Rebecca.

Making his debut at Stage 3, Robert Zellers is excellent in the role of George. Savanah Cerruti...is delightful as the mischievous Rebecca.

...David and Diane Rodrigues...give touching, engaging performances in their roles as a long married couple.

The Webbs also have two children. Callie McGreen gives a confident and energetic performance as Emily Webb, who is in turn dreamy, determined and wise beyond her years.

In his Stage 3 debut, Kai Kellerman gives an appealing performance as Emily's younger brother, Wally.

Zellers and McGreen really shine in a scene set in a soda fountain.

The powerful final act moves back and forward in time, depicting both the wedding and the changes that have taken place 13 years later.

Bilotti's direction achieves a sense of balance and the ensemble cast works beautifully together. Rounding out the cast are Sandy Banzet, Charles Keen and Jordan Newington energetically playing both Joe Crowell and his brother Si.

Al Lemke gives a good-natured performance as the milkman. Bill Smith plays Mr. Carter and Professor Willard.

John Dahlen is effective as Simon Stimson, the unhappy organist. And Susan Michael does a hilarious turn as the intrusive busybody Mrs. Soames.

This is a moving and satisfying production which gracefully acknowledges the importance of savoring each moment of the gift that is life.

Sierra Mountain Times

It's a Hit: "Our Town" at Stage 3

The staging is very spare--a few chairs, a couple of ladders, and no props. This is not a local decision. Author Thornton Wilder specified it. He wanted the focus to be on the people and their lives. There is one sorry looking plant introduced "for those who insist on scenery."

On the other hand, Diana Newington's very professional costume design successfully evokes early twentieth century America.

Doug Scott, who plays the stage manager, has a booming but well modulated voice that serves him well. His strong performance is very important to the success of the production.

There is a huge cast. I counted 16 players. All of them turn in, without exception, competent, well-crafted performances.

The principals do not emerge immediately. Toward the end of the first act we begin to see that two high school age characters are going to be central to the story. Callie McGreen and Robert Zellers turn in very strong performances. The parents of the two principals, actors David Rodriguez, Sally McClellan and David Braga play roles that are crucial to the story line, and they give us fine performances as well.

Wilder's underlying theme is one that we often fail to notice. It is noted that at about age 20 or 21 we marry and then suddenly we are 70. We haven't been paying attention.

The principals do finally marry. But, as the "stage manager" notes, things get serious in Act II. And indeed they do. But the good times and the tragedies come together to make Wilder's case.

Just before the wedding the "stage manager" takes us to a flash back where we get a much more detailed account of George and Emily's courtship. I found these scenes to be especially affecting.

This is a must see production

Calaveras Enterprise

...Artistic Director Don Bilotti's masterful staging of the show ...Bilotti elects to start the show with a pitch-black theater...It's a beautiful beginning to the moving show.

Doug Scott displays his best storyteller charms as the Stage Manager, meant to be the conduit between the unaware townsfolk and the audience. Scott thrives in this role...

Bill Smith gets a cute cameo early on...gives the audience a chance to giggle at the inanity -- or maybe it's the self-importance - of small town America.

Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs, played by David Braga as a stalwart symbol of familial care and concern in the community and Sally McClellen as one of those hearty sorts...their children Rebecca and George (Savannah Cerruti and Robert Zellers). David and Diana Rodrigues play Mr. and Mrs.Webb, the other family examined in the play. Their children, Wally and Emily are played by Kai Kellerman and Callie McGreen.

In the company's release about the production, Bilotti used a quote from the philosopher Confucius: "They live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived."

When the kids are wed, more humor trickles into the piece as Mrs. Soames (played by Stage 3 favorite Susan Michael) is also allowed to break the fourth wall and speak with the audience... There are several other players in town and they all do a fine job of bringing the tale to the stage.

Bravo to Bilotti and the cast for capturing the essence of small-town Americana right here in small-town America. The emotions are raw at times, but life's lessons are never taught without pain of one kind or another. That these lessons are captured with such effectiveness by a play nearer to a century old than myself serves to demonstrate its timelessness. It's great to have "Our Town" done so well in our town.

Modesto Bee

Life goes by fast, and if you don't stop to pay attention sometimes, you'll miss it.

This deeply moving show honors family, neighbors, falling in love, children and friendship, and it grieves over how soon it all comes to an end.

Some may find it hard at first to relate to this impossibly innocent place where wives refer to their husbands as "Mr.," there's only one town drunk and young couples get married without knowing anything about sex.

Doug Scott leads the cast well as the personable, folksy Stage Manager.

Callie McGreen and Robert Zellers compelling as young lovers Emily and George.

Real-life married couple David and Diane Rodrigues are kindly and attentive as Emily's parents. Sally McClellan is boisterous as George's mother and David Braga is moody but loving as his father.

Costume designer Diane Newington nails the conservative early-20th-century time period with long dresses, frilly blouses, big hats and severe suits.

Over the years, some viewers have had problems with the play, finding it too pessimistic. But Bilotti's production is more uplifting than anything. His show leaves us thinking how special life is and how important it is not to take it for granted.