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[THEATER REVIEW] Our Town at Hartford Stage
9.10.07
Our Town
Hartford Stage, Hartford, Conn.; 489 seats; $64 top)
By CHRIS NEWBOUND for VARIETY
A Hartford Stage presentation of a play in three acts by Thornton Wilder. Directed by Gregory Boyd. Sets, Jeff Cowie; costumes, Alejo Vietti; lighting, Rui Rita
Stage Manager - Hal Holbrook
Dr. Gibbs - Ross Bickell
Joe Crowell - Jacob Lombardi
Howie Newsome - Bill Kux
Mrs. Gibbs - Josie de Guzman
Mrs. Webb - Annalee Jefferies
George Gibbs - Donovan Patton
Rebecca Gibbs - Erin S. Courtney
Emily Webb - Ginna Carter
Editor Webb - Frank Converse
Simon Stimson - Noble Shropshire
To kick off its 44th year and 10th for artistic director Michael Wilson, the Hartford Stage opens its season with the perennial crowd favorite Our Town. Here, legendary star Hal Holbrook takes his turn as the Stage Manager, just as Paul Newman did in Westport only a few years back. And while other townspeople ably fulfill their familiar roles as newspaper editor, mother, doctor, daughter, in a mostly by-the-book production, it's Holbrook's night as he provides a tender poignancy and appropriate melancholic note to the sold-out proceedings.
Looking almost as spry and battle-ready as ever, Holbrook, 82, is no doubt approaching the end of his long, varied and illustrious career. This isn't, however, merely a case of trotting out a popular actor in his waning years, but more a case of perfect casting.
Holbrook, who's played the part twice before (at the Long Wharf Theater and for television), has the audience in the palm of his hand from the moment he wanders out onto Jeff Cowies' minimalist stage. One has trouble imagining a more appropriate stage manager -- and that includes Newman.
Capably helmed here by Gregory Boyd with look-sharp period costumes from Alejo Vietti and subtle, evocative lighting by Rui Rita, the rest of the company is more than able as well; it's the play that is a little worse for wear.
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