Our Town

A Play in Three Acts

Thornton Wilder

• Publisher: Harper Perennial Modern Classics
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9780063003996
• eBook ISBN:
  9780063060111
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: American Drama
• Index: Literature

"[Our Town] leaves us with a sense of blessing, and the unspoken but palpable command to achieve gratitude in what remains of our days on earth." — The New Yorker

Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of life in the mythical village of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire—an allegorical representation of all life—is a beloved American classic play. It is the simple story of a love affair that asks timeless questions about the meaning of love, life, and death.

Our Town explores the family relationships between two young neighbors, George Gibbs and Emily Webb, whose childhood friendship blossoms into romance, and then culminates in marriage. When Emily loses her life during childbirth, the circle of life portrayed in each of the three acts—childhood, adulthood, and death—is fully realized.

Widely considered one of the greatest American plays of all time, Our Town debuted on Broadway in 1938 and continues to be performed daily on stages around the world. This special edition includes an afterword by Wilder's nephew, Tappan Wilder, with illuminating documentary material about the playwright and his most famous drama.

This definitive edition of a true American classic contains everything that makes the play unforgettable:

• A Universal Story: Follow the lives of George Gibbs and Emily Webb in small-town Grover's Corners, a moving allegory for everyday life, love, and loss that resonates with audiences everywhere.
• Groundbreaking Minimalist Theater: Experience the play as Wilder intended—with minimal scenery and a direct address from the Stage Manager, a unique approach that focuses on the powerful, character-driven narrative.
• Timeless Themes of Life, Love, and Death: Journey through three acts—childhood, adulthood, and the afterlife—in a profound exploration of what it means to be human and the importance of appreciating every moment.
• Exclusive Bonus Content: Delve deeper into the world of Our Town with an insightful afterword by the author's nephew, Tappan Wilder, featuring documentary material about the play's creation and enduring legacy.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Dedication
• Contents
• Foreword by Donald Margulies
• Addendum to the Foreword of the 75th Anniversary Edition
• Our Town: A play in three acts
• A Nephew’s Note
• Overview
• Readings
• Acknowledgments
• Source Material and Subsidiary Works
• About the Author
• Also by Thornton Wilder
• Copyright
• About the Publisher