Lazy Susan’s ‘Our Town’ Is A Warm And Welcoming Celebration Of Life
With a welcoming preshow, an engaging ensemble, and an intimate staging that makes the audience feel a part of the community, Lazy Susan Co.’s Our Town is a heartfelt celebration of life’s everyday moments.
When I was in eighth grade, my class performed a shortened version of Our Town. I had a small role as a funny wedding guest, and more than three decades later, I can still vaguely recall some of my lines. But I’ve never seen the show since, and I’ve always wondered how much I might remember if I ever got the opportunity. For that reason, and several others, I was looking forward to this production.
Written by Thornton Wilder and directed by Matthew Masino, Lazy Susan Co.’s new production of Our Town feels like a celebration of life from the moment you arrive. Before the show even begins, cast members (as themselves, not their characters) mingle with audience members in the library area just outside the theater. A piano and guitar provide the soundtrack as everyone dances, sings, and chats, creating a warm and hospitable vibe.
Just inside the theater door, a map of the world invites guests to add a pin marking their hometown. There are plenty from the Chicagoland area, but it’s fun to see pins from other states and countries, too. As you look for your hometown and find your seat, the entire cast jubilantly sings “Let It Be” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” complete with clapping and genuine happiness. By the time the show begins, you’re already part of this small town, a welcomed guest who’s just beginning to get to know its residents.
The set is awash in wooden pieces, including two kitchen tables, six chairs, a pair of ladders, a piano, and a bench off to the side. Clothes hang from a rack, with items retrieved as needed throughout the scenes. Around the edges and at the back of the stage, cast members sit and watch their fellow performers, almost as if the front of the stage is the “play” and everything surrounding it is a work area. It all contributes to an endearing presentation that makes the audience feel included and curious.
Our Town takes place in three acts: Daily Life, Love & Marriage, and The Life Cycle. Guided by the effortlessly magnetic Stage Manager, played by Dontaye Albert, we learn about Grover’s Corners in 1901 and the townspeople who call it home, including young lovers Emily and George. It’s a quaint town that reminds us of a time when doctors delivered babies at home and horses pulled the milkman’s cart. Albert occasionally steps away from his narration to sit among the audience, only popping back in to continue giving you facts and interesting tidbits.
The tight-knit ensemble clearly enjoys working together. From Hannah Loessberg’s heartbreaking performance as Emily to Lauren Slone’s tenacious Mrs. Gibbs, every cast member brings a genuine respect for their characters and the world they’ve created. It’s incredibly enjoyable to be a part of.
A few other clever choices stand out in this production. With minimal sets and props, many of the movements are pantomimed. One character mows his lawn while another delivers milk bottles, with the sounds created by other cast members. To imitate chickens in the yard, a rope is pulled through a plastic cup. When bottles are “pulled out of the carrier,” actual bottles are clinked together off to the side. I could have watched hours of that alone.
There’s also some unexpected audience participation. During a scene in which a character asks if there are any questions, three different audience members stand up and ask questions from cards they’ve been given. Sitting behind one of them, I could see that the card read, “You’re Part Of Our Town,” along with instructions. It’s a fun little extra that gets a chuckle from the audience as each person takes their turn.
Our Town is a small-town story with a big message about living in the moment. From the second you enter the world of this production, you’re encouraged to appreciate the people around you and the everyday moments that make up a life. So, while 1901 might feel like a very long time ago, the lessons of Grover’s Corners are still very relevant. It was a treat for me to revisit this show after all these years, and I think you’re going to feel exactly the same way.
Our Town runs for approximately 2 hours 25 minutes including two 10 minute intermissions. This show is appropriate for anyone ages 11 and up.
Our Town is playing at Lazy Susan Theatre Co. through 12/13/2026. Tickets can be purchased on the Lazy Susan Theatre Co. website or by calling 773-404-7336. This production is located at The Greenhouse Theatre Center at 2257 N Lincoln Avenue in Chicago.