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REVIEW: ZACH Theatre’s New Production of Our Town

By Olin Meadows

From the moment award-winning actor Jaston Williams walks onto the Kleberg stage for his opening monologue, you are immediately at ease by his easy and comforting demeanor. In ZACH Theatre's new production of Our Town, director Dave Steakley creates an unbelievable experience in his new take on a modern classic.

Thorton Wilder's play about a small turn of the century town - and the moments in our lives that shape us - sports a beautiful new look in this modern retelling, with a cast that will have you laughing in the aisles, and move you to tears by the final curtain.

Jordan McRae - who plays "Emily Webb," the central character in our little story - definitely has some star quality to her. Her youthful energy gives you hope, and her ability to show emotion makes you want to stay for more. Her counterpart Michael Amendola, as "George Gibbs," believably portrays a goofy young man, his character grows to show how simple things in life can shape you forever.

With a strong cast of talented actors, this show generates a great night at the theatre. I don't want to give too much away, but I always love weddings - and the Act II wedding scene in this production will make you feel like you have been taken to a whole other world. One of the amazing elements of this show is director Dave Steakley's brilliant concept of using two different performance spaces to create the entire event - one for the town scenes,

and a separate space for the wedding.

And what a wedding it is - complete with dancing, a cash bar and wedding cake for all the attendees. One of the highlights of this scene is the feeling of being part of the action, as the talented actors perform all around you, in every area of the space. This is definitely a theatrical experience, and a nice twist on a classic play.

Steakley really shows his genius with this production of progressive theater, by making you feel like you are truly a citizen of Our Town. The entire cast thoroughly inhabit their characters and create an experience that will stay with you forever. I plan to experience this production a couple more times, before it closes.

Part of the charm of this outstanding theatrical experience is due to the dynamic design team of Jason Amato with lights, Chris Cogswell with properties, and the ZACH Theatre artistic staff - a.k.a., the genius that is Dave Steakley - with the symbolic and simple set that helps to deepen the meaning of this play of life.

I give this production a rare "6 of 5 Stars." Our Town is truly a production that will stay with you for a long time!

Our Town continues through May 23rd. Performances run Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Adult tickets range from $20 to $50, with $15 tickets available to students starting one hour prior to curtain time. For more information and reservations, call (512) 476-0541, ext. 1, or visit www.ZachTheatre.org.

(Photo by Kirk R. Tuck)