This Is The Way We Were (This Bridge Theatre)

Our Town

Written by Thorton Wilder

Directed by Zac Campbell-Hoogendyk

Review by Kate Barry

Entire contents are copyright © 2026 Kate Barry. All rights reserved.

To stage Thorton Wilder’s Our Town might seem quaint, simplistic and maybe even trite. In this era of reality television and social media reels, the play could come across as a corny throwback to an unrealistic Norman Rockwell-inspired time in history. Indeed, the story of any-town Grover’s Corners and its inhabitants runs a risk of saccharine naivety. Luckily, This Bridge Theatre’s Our Town frames the play around shared human experiences and community in a quiet town where you could leave your door unlocked.

The three act play keeps a steady pace as daily life, love and marriage and death are explored through the lives of the Gibbs, the Webbs and their neighbors. As the Stage Manager, Alfie Jones sloughs any pretension by providing an informal and omnipotent narration. Giving the facts of the town without opinions or judgements, he weaves through the concise descriptions of Grover’s Corners with such ease that you can almost see the streets and buildings.

Through Jones’ Stage Manager, the feeling of community is established. Soon, we meet a choir led by Tony Milder’s Simon Stimson, a rigid, by the book choir leader and his eager singers. Mandi Hutchins-Johnson’s Mrs. Soames takes a busy body persona as she gossips through church and wedding ceremonies. Meg Caudill’s Constable Warren is a trustworthy cop and buddies with Jake Bower’s emphatic young paperboy and Zach Stone’s hard working, milk man with grit. The performances by the ensemble establish compassion and authenticity for this version of Grover’s Corners.

Our Town centers on the Gibbs and Webb families. Mothers tend to the kitchen as the fathers work in the town while the children grow up together. From childhood friends to sweet hearts, Bailey Evans and Prader Kiel’s Emily and George personify innocence as their relationship blossoms into something deeper and mature. On the day of their wedding, Kiel’s George shares a relatable and humorous moment with Mr. Webb, a witty turn by director Zac Campbell-Hoogendyk. The exchange leans into quiet yet awkward moments around cups of coffee, enhancing George’s wedding day jitters. As the wedding day progresses, we see Evans’ Emily experience her own nerves before walking down the aisle. After appearing in a lovely wedding dress, Evan’s hesitation followed by the delivery of “I hate him” is poignant and funny.

The third act shifts focus to the grave yard in Grover’s Corners as civilians find their final resting places. As Mrs. Gibbs, Tonilyn Hussey delivers a striking performance as the matriarch who gives endlessly for her family. Working tirelessly to provide for her family through well executed pantomime, Hussey channels a deeply emotional performance as she supports her soon-to-be daughter in law. As Emily finds her way into the grave yard with Mrs. Gibbs, Hussey’s loving nature continues to nurture with Evans’ Emily finding hope. With one quick look back at the “least important” day in her life, Evans gives a performance of the goodbye Grover’s Corners speech that is tender and sentimental as she is bathed in spotlight, accepting the end of her life.

By the end of Our Town, the folks of Grover’s Corners have lived their lives to the fullest. The people of the town have formed bonds that last a life time based on love and respect. And This Bridge Theatre’s production of a community where common decency is on display is what we need right now.

Our Town

This Bridge Theatre

March 13-22 2026

Walden Theatre

1123 Payne St,

Louisville, KY 40204-2366

Tickets available here