Reviews

Our Town by Thornton Wilder

Only show reviews with written explanations

ec_newman's review against another edition

4.0

Reading the play isn't like seeing it, and I got to see it once, in 2003 on Broadway with Paul Newman playing Stage Manager. And it was one of the more magical theatre experiences of my life. I'd somehow gotten a theatre major without ever reading Our Town, and hadn't still until today. It loses something in just the script, I'm sure and I barely remember the plot from seeing it 15 years ago (jeez), but I remembered I didn't want to leave the theatre and just sat there while my classmates and the rest of the audience left. I was in awe, mesmerized and deeply touched.

Reading this didn't do that, but it did bring back that moment of sheer wonder and sadness that the play caused. And reminded me of Paul Newman's voice that made me wish he was my grandfather. I honestly don't think you can completely get this play unless you've seen it.

astratton1027's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

mxmorganic's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

olrite's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

madisonlenser's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

katykelly's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Life in a small American town before WWI, told in a modern and knowing style with a narrator who knows the future of characters. We skip through the years with adolescents becoming adults, with marriages and deaths and regrets and all of life on a platter, summarised with just a few individuals.

It's bare bones, simple and effective, quite moving at the end, clever and very forward-thinking for its time.

I read it straight after Wilder's farce The Matchmaker and his range is extraordinary. The contrast was amazing. This was one play I'd read ABOUT but never got around to actually reading and I'm really glad I did as it's deserving of its accolades.