The Bothell High Drama Department put on another show, this time performing the 1938 classic, Our Town. This production was directed by Chaya Glass, the Bothell High theater teacher, and the play took place in the NPAC, along with all other BHS theater productions. The book was originally written by Thornton Wilder.

The play was “led” by the Stage Manager, played by William Partridge, who first told the story of Grovers Corners, a small town in New Hampshire, as he descended from the top of the NPAC steps. I will also note that this play seamlessly used the crowd and the areas around it to its advantage. Characters constantly told the story from behind, in front of, and to the side of the audience. 

The play, as said by the Stage Manager, was split into three acts: Daily Life, Love and Marriage, and Death and Eternity. The first act, Daily Life, set the scene and described the ruralness of the town. I saw the local choir, the editor of the Grovers Corners Sentinel, Mr. Webb (Jack Horman), and other characters as the plot was built. We also saw the introduction of George Gibbs and Emily Webb, played by Charles Ottersberg and Angelina Carranza, respectively. 

In Act Two, Love and Marriage, we see the love and eventual wedding of George and Emily after a three-year time skip. The act really encapsulated the feeling of romance in such a simple way. The wedding takes place in the church, as the minister, who is also the stage manager, happily marries the couple. 

In Act Three, Death and Eternity, we see the death of Emily after another time skip, this one lasting nine years. We see Emily interact with some of the other dead characters before seeing an old day from her life. She reviews her 12th birthday, and eventually Emily returns to the dead, saying goodbye to the mortal world. We see George weeping over Emily, and the Stage Manager ends the third act, and therefore the play.

This play wholeheartedly made me cry. It was very emotional to see the loss and the realization of leaving the mortal world through the eyes of Emily. The acting and producing also helped establish these points to the maximum extent. Everyone, from the Stage Manager to the townspeople, all did their acting to a high bar. 

I absolutely ADORED the set choices for the play, as the minimalism of the set helped tell the simplicity of the story while portraying its fair share of detail. The use of the whole NPAC was also welcome, and helped expand the scenes. The costumes were also well done. I could clearly see the effort put into them!

Overall, this play was stunning. I would give it a 4.75/5 on the star scale that I conveniently made up just now. I would definitely recommend it, but the play’s run is over. But don’t fret! Anything Goes, the spring musical, comes in April, and if I know anything about BHS Drama, it is sure to be great.