Our Town - a little reflection of Manchester

When Little Theatre of Manchester opens its next production, Thornton Wilder's Our Town on April 12, patrons will see a little bit of themselves on the stage. The seminal play, now celebrating its 75th anniversary, is a simple setting, simple people, leading simple lives. While it's set in fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, it's hard not to see a little bit of Manchester embedded in the dialogue. Characters include the town doctor, the editor of the newspaper, the constable and milk man, and of course the person who guides us through the play, the stage manager who portrays several town characters. It's easy for me to think right away of Dr. Moyer, the late Alex Girelli, Chief Montminy, and others who filled or fill those roles in our town and to think of the influence that they've had on the simple daily life that I've led here. I am fortunate to be in this show, cast as a townsperson - a lady in the choir, a witness to the wedding and later, a person in the town cemetary. Thus far, I've fulfilled those roles in my personal life . . . with the exception of the last one, thankfully. But I will say, that the town cemetary over on Center Street is full of members of my family and friends who have made an a huge impression on my life and caused me to want to make Manchester my own "Our Town". As I connect with people in Manchester through LTM or Pride in Manchester Week or Imagine Main Street, I find myself so delighted to see multi-generations of families still living in Manchester - Diana, Ferguson, Krinjak, Orfitelli, Perrett, Blish, Devanney, so many more. And the best part is that they're invested in the future of this town and making sure that it has all it can offer to our grandchildren, as it did for us, our parents and grandparents. Come see Our Town, enjoy the simplicity of Wilder's beautiful play and think of Manchester in a way you may not have before. Call 860-647-9824 for dates, times, and tickets.