Our moments on earth are precious and fleeting and should be lived to the fullest. That is something we can all learn from Our Town.
Rosebud has taken on the challenging Thornton Wilder classic in its fall production. While at the heart of the play lies a simple story, the telling of it involves complex layers, time shifts and direction from a character operating outside the action, but inside the play. 
The story is a slice of small town Americana, complete with young love, big dreams and characters plodding through life as the narrator stitches each vignette together to bring out a vision that is more than just life’s daily drudgery.
The action plays out on a simple and almost stark stage, and tells an universal story of the small victories and losses in day-to-day life; the spark of love, unresolved yearnings, sacrifice and the human tragedy of death.
Judith Buchan brings warmth to the role of narrator. Her natured compassion for all the players that cross the stage, big or small, illuminates each of their strengths and weakness.
The play relies on subtlety. While the budding love of Emily (Heather Pattengale) and George (Byron Allen) is drenched in innocence and very concrete, most of the other characters leave their small words and actions to the audience to interpret. While Dr. Frank Gibbs (David Snider) show a disregard for his wife Julia’s dreams (Amy Burks), his sound scolding his son for not pulling his weight around the house is telling of his compassion.
Likewise is George’s reaction to his father. Tears roll down his cheeks, hinting at a love respect, not overtly portrayed by the arrogant baseball playing teen.
One joys of Rosebud Theatre that shines through Our Town is its ability to utilize a large cast to a great effect, all expertly playing a part in telling the story. There is strength from the milkman fighting his horse to the choirmaster fighting his demons.
The acting is strong, the setting is nostalgic and the story is universal, making Rosebud’s effort pleasurable.
