Our Town gets a fresh spin at Majestic Repertory Theatre

Bridget Carlvin as Mrs. Gibbs and Gigi Guizado as Mrs. Webb in Majestic Repertory Theatre’s immersive, multi-ethnic production of Thornton Wilder’s American classic, OUR TOWN. Photo: Richard Brusky

Here is what the press has had to say about our production so far…

Thornton Wilder‘s Our Town has been a staple of high schools and community theaters around the world since its premiere over eighty years ago. Audiences have been continually charmed by this deceptively simple look at the fictional New England town of Grover’s Corners at the turn of the twentieth century. Majestic Repertory Theatre will provide audiences with a unique perspective on this American classic, continuing its move toward creative unique immersive experiences,
“We started planning the current season in fall of 2017, right after the October 2nd shooting,” says Artistic Director Troy Heard. “So I wanted to find a play that would put us all in a room together to reaffirm our sense of community. On the surface, Our Town does reflect a community with strong values. However, the genius of the play is it doesn’t stop there. It’s a beautiful metaphor for the moments in life we tend to take for granted until it’s too late.”

https://www.broadwayworld.com/las-vegas/article/Classic-OUR-TOWN-Gets-Immersive-Dinner-Twist-20190318

In Majestic’s production, Ronn L. Williams brings a warmth and nobility perfectly conducive to this superior cast who update “Grover’s Corners” to being very much Your Town 2019.
https://lasvegasroundtheclock.com/index.php/columnists/marianne-donnelly/1769-majestic-theatre-s-brilliant-immersive-our-town-show-and-dinner-through-may-5-at-1217-s-main-arts-district-vegas

Ronn L. Williams, Gigi Guizado and Bridget Carlvin in Our Town. Photo. Richard Brusky

This refreshingly brilliant update is that we meet working, loving people in this cast that are every bit representative of total American society. Rather than give away the seamless technical method used to expand beyond the usual casting, suffice to say, you are in for a treat: a welcoming human-garden, rich in variety, each with nuance and depth.

https://lasvegasroundtheclock.com/index.php/columnists/marianne-donnelly/1769-majestic-theatre-s-brilliant-immersive-our-town-show-and-dinner-through-may-5-at-1217-s-main-arts-district-vegas

Mrs. Webb, played by Gigi Guizado is played wise and strong.

https://lasvegasroundtheclock.com/index.php/columnists/marianne-donnelly/1769-majestic-theatre-s-brilliant-immersive-our-town-show-and-dinner-through-may-5-at-1217-s-main-arts-district-vegas

Garrison Quizon as George Gibbs and Gigi Guizado as Mrs. Webb in Our Town by Thornton Wilder at Majestic Repertory Theatre in Las Vegas. Photo/ Richard Brusky

In a nice comic turn by Gigi Guizado, the pace of Mrs. Webb’s snapping becomes noticeably more frenzied as her adolescent daughter peppers her with questions converging on the facts of life.

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/lasvegas/lv78.html

Amanda Guardado and Gigi Guizado as The Webbs in Our Town by Thornton Wilder.

Amanda Guardado as Emily Webb and Gigi Guizado as Mrs. Webb

Here’s the look of a mother-daughter conversation that every parent of a teen-age daughter will recognize. / Richard Brusky

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219599832372109&set=a.10219599827411985&type=3&theater

Here’s the look of a mother-daughter conversation that every parent of a teen-age daughter will recognize. / Richard Brusky
Gigi Guizado as Mrs. Webb and Amanda Guardado as Emily.

Gigi Guizado and Amanda Guardado face off in this updated American classic, Our Town by Thornton Wilder at Majestic Rep.

This Our Town gets high marks for creativity, direction, and a celebration of ethnic diversity in America. Although the play is set in a tiny New Hampshire hamlet at the turn of the twentieth century, and most of the character names scream “white bread,” in this production the Gibbs and Webb families are anything but. At home, the Webbs converse in Spanish (with easy-to-read subtitles for those of us who need them). The script is unchanged, with the resulting subtext that these are today’s typical American families.

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/lasvegas/lv78.html

Front row/ Jae Song, Ruliko Cronin.
Middle row/ Gigi Guizado, Bridget Carlvin, Angel Mendoza.
Back row/ Ronn L. Williams, Garrison Quizon. Photo/ Richard Brusky

The casting also reflects Las Vegas in 2019. Traditionally performed with an all-white cast, Majestic’s Our Town reaffirms its commitment to diversity with a cast comprised primarily of people of color.

https://noproscenium.com/las-vegas-our-town-bac1e9db2ede

There are many creative highlights. In describing the history of the town and its people, the Stage Manager threads his way around the room, drawing our attention to the pictures that decorate the theatre walls, illustrating various scenes from Grover’s Corners. Instead of casting children in the roles of the younger siblings, director Heard uses rag dolls manipulated and voiced by puppeteers.

https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/lasvegas/lv78.html

The Webb family portrayed by Amanda Guardado, Gigi Guizado and Jae Song.

And. If that’s not enough, prepare to gorge on a plentiful, mouthwatering, “slow cookin’, down-home” buffet-meal, themed to the show, catered by AT YOUR SERVICE CATERING

https://lasvegasroundtheclock.com/index.php/columnists/marianne-donnelly/1769-majestic-theatre-s-brilliant-immersive-our-town-show-and-dinner-through-may-5-at-1217-s-main-arts-district-vegas

Performances of Our Town will be April 11 through May 5, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Majestic Repertory Theatre is located at at 1217 S. Main Street. General admission tickets are $45 and high school students are $35, and are on sale now at www.majesticrepertory.com. Ticket price includes three course meal and non-alcoholic beverage. Call 702-423-6366 for details.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/las-vegas/article/Classic-OUR-TOWN-Gets-Immersive-Dinner-Twist-20190318