January 22 - Life Without Props: "Our Town" Creates Magic
Seeing Others Through God's Eyes
This is the day Thornton Wilder's groundbreaking play "Our Town" premiered at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey in 1938.
In today's lesson, we explore the revolutionary premiere of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" and its powerful reminder about truly seeing the sacred worth in others. What prevents us from recognizing the divine image in those we encounter? How might our relationships transform if we learned to see others as God sees them?
"Have nothing to do with false charges and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty." - Exodus 23:7 (NIV)
This Date in History
The stage at Princeton's McCarter Theatre stood nearly bare, its minimalist setting a stark departure from the elaborate productions of the day. As the curtain rose, audiences witnessed the birth of what would become one of America's most beloved and influential plays. With no lavish sets or props, just a few chairs and tables, a revolutionary theatrical experience was about to unfold that would challenge every convention of contemporary theater.
On January 22, 1938, Thornton Wilder's "Our Town" premiered, introducing audiences to a radical new form of theatrical storytelling. The play's innovative approach began the moment the Stage Manager stepped onto the nearly empty stage, directly addressing the audience – a dramatic departure from theatrical tradition that immediately commanded attention.
The production featured a remarkable blend of professional actors and Princeton University students. Frank Craven embodied the pivotal role of the Stage Manager, while a young Martha Scott made her breakthrough performance as Emily Webb. Scott's portrayal was so compelling that she would go on to star in both the Broadway production and the 1940 film adaptation, earning an Academy Award nomination for her role as Emily.
Wilder had already established himself as a literary force before "Our Town." His 1927 novel "The Bridge of San Luis Rey" had won him his first Pulitzer Prize and international acclaim. However, his previous theatrical works, including "The Long Christmas Dinner" (1931), had achieved only modest success. This experience led him to spend years meticulously crafting the seemingly simple story of life in fictional Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.
The playwright drew deep inspiration from his experiences teaching at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where he observed the rhythms and relationships of small-town American life. These observations helped him create characters that felt authentically American while touching on universal human experiences. The play's three acts – focused on daily life, love and marriage, and death – created a comprehensive portrait of the human experience that resonated deeply with audiences.
Producer Jed Harris, despite his reputation for backing successful Broadway productions, initially hesitated to support such an experimental work. The play's minimalist staging was revolutionary for its time – actors mimed most actions without props, and the set consisted primarily of tables, chairs, and ladders. This stripped-down approach initially confused some audience members and critics who expected the elaborate sets typical of 1930s theater.
Following its successful premiere, "Our Town" moved to Broadway's Henry Miller's Theatre on February 4, 1938. The play ran for 336 performances and won the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama – Wilder's second Pulitzer. The success marked a turning point in American theater, introducing innovative techniques that would influence generations of playwrights and directors.
Wilder's career flourished after "Our Town." He went on to write "The Skin of Our Teeth" (1942), winning his third Pulitzer Prize, and continued producing acclaimed novels including "The Eighth Day" (1967) and "Theophilus North" (1973). His groundbreaking theatrical techniques influenced countless playwrights, from Arthur Miller to Edward Albee, helping to shape the future of American drama.
The play's impact has only grown over time. Today, "Our Town" remains one of America's most frequently performed plays, with approximately 700 productions annually. It has been translated into dozens of languages and performed worldwide, its themes of community, love, and mortality transcending cultural boundaries. The play has seen numerous adaptations, including radio broadcasts, television productions, and even an opera version composed by Ned Rorem in 2006.
That winter evening in Princeton marked not just the debut of a play, but the beginning of a theatrical revolution that would forever change how Americans understand and experience theater. Through its deceptively simple story of life in a small New Hampshire town, "Our Town" continues to reveal profound truths about the human experience, proving that sometimes the most universal stories are found in the most particular places.
Historical Context
American theater in the 1930s was dominated by elaborate productions with ornate sets, detailed costumes, and formal staging conventions. Most plays maintained a strict separation between performers and audience through the theatrical "fourth wall." Against this backdrop, Wilder's minimalist approach represented a radical reimagining of theatrical possibilities, aligning with broader Depression-era movements toward artistic simplicity and authenticity.
The late 1930s also marked a crucial period in American cultural identity as the nation struggled to define itself amid global tensions. Many artists and writers turned to exploring quintessentially American themes and experiences, seeking to capture the nation's character through intimate portraits of everyday life. Wilder's focus on small-town America in "Our Town" reflected this larger cultural movement, though his treatment transcended simple nostalgia to address universal human experiences.
Did You Know?
Prior to Wilder's experiment with minimalism in "Our Town," he tested this approach in a one-act play called "The Long Christmas Dinner" (1931), which used no sets and spanned 90 years of family life in a single scene.
The 1940 film adaptation was substantially different from the stage production as it added elaborate sets and changed the ending entirely.
Wilder wrote most of "Our Town" while staying at the MacDowell Colony in Peterborough, New Hampshire – a town that partially inspired the fictional Grover's Corners.
Despite winning the Pulitzer Prize, some early critics called the play too experimental and unconventional. Brooks Atkinson's positive review in The New York Times was instrumental in changing public opinion and securing the play's success.
Today’s Reflection
When “Our Town” premiered at Princeton's McCarter Theatre, its stark and unembellished stage offered an unusual focus. Without ornate sets or elaborate backdrops, the audience's attention shifted entirely to the relationships and fleeting moments shared by its characters. Thornton Wilder's minimalist approach served as a mirror for life itself, reminding us that the most profound beauty is often found in the simplicity of human connection.
This same theme resonates deeply with our spiritual walk. As believers, we often let the "props" of our daily lives—our routines, ambitions, and distractions—prevent us from truly seeing the people around us. But Scripture challenges us to look beyond ourselves. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" Philippians 2:4 (NIV).
One of “Our Town's” most poignant moments occurs when Emily, after her death, realizes how much of life she took for granted. She laments that people rarely stop to truly see each other. Her grief reflects a universal truth: we often move through life so consumed by our own concerns that we fail to recognize the sacred worth of those we encounter. This echoes the spiritual blindness warned of in Scripture. "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV). How often do we reduce others to surface impressions, missing their God-given dignity?
Jesus provides the perfect example of seeing others as God sees them. When He met the Samaritan woman at the well, He didn't just see her as an outsider or a sinner. He looked into her heart, acknowledging her struggles, her hopes, and her need for redemption. In that moment, He offered her living water—grace and truth that transformed her life. Imagine the power we could unleash if we followed His lead, choosing to see others with that same clarity and compassion.
But this kind of vision requires us to slow down and recalibrate. It's not natural in a culture that prioritizes speed, productivity, and surface-level interaction. To truly see others, we must pause, set aside our assumptions, and approach each person as someone made in the image of God. Even the smallest encounters such as a passing conversation or a kind word at the grocery store can become opportunities for ministry when viewed through this lens.
The tragedy of “Our Town” isn't merely Emily's untimely death. It's that she and those around her missed so many opportunities to savor life and genuinely connect. How often do we do the same? Each person we meet carries a unique story. A mixture of joys and sorrows, dreams and wounds. But these remain hidden unless we take the time to notice, to care, and to listen.
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" John 13:35 (NIV). And love begins with seeing, truly seeing, others as God does. This deeper vision, when cultivated, not only strengthens our relationships but becomes a testimony to the world of God's redemptive power. Let us not squander the fleeting opportunities we have to reflect His love and restore connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
Practical Application
Take time today to intentionally "see" three people you regularly encounter but might typically overlook. Instead of your usual quick greeting, pause to notice something specific about them – perhaps a change in their appearance, their mood, or their circumstances. Ask a thoughtful question about their life, then truly listen to their response. Consider keeping a small journal of these meaningful interactions, noting how slowing down to truly see others changes your perspective and deepens your capacity for compassion.
THIS IS THE DAY Last Year
January 22 - Roe v. Wade Legalizes Abortion
We discussed the invisible battle waged in the heavenly realms over the sanctity of life. What is the role of spiritual warfare in shaping laws like Roe v. Wade, and how did it influence its eventual overturning?
Closing Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for the profound reminder through Thornton Wilder's work that every moment and every person is precious in Your sight. We confess how often we rush through life without truly seeing those around us. Open our eyes to see others as You see them – as bearers of Your image, worthy of our time and attention. Give us the courage to slow down, to notice, to listen, and to care. Help us to be vessels of Your love in a world starved for genuine connection. In Jesus' name, amen.
Final Thoughts
Just as Wilder stripped away theatrical distractions to reveal the sacred beauty of everyday life, we too must learn to look past the surface to see the divine imprint in each person we meet. When we truly see others as God sees them, we participate in His redemptive work of restoring genuine human connection in our fragmented world.
Author’s Notes
It’s a terrible habit we have these days to look through people and past people we’re interacting with, often failing to acknowledge their basic humanity. Almost all of us do it. When is the last time you walked out of the grocery store and could describe your cashier? When is the last time you left a restaurant and could remember your waiter’s name? It takes practice to begin to look at, really look at, other people. We often teach our children the opposite.
“Don’t stare!” “Don’t ask personal questions.”
There is tact and politeness, of course. But when is the last time you reminded your child, or yourself for that matter, that the person waiting on you or serving you is a real person who God loves just as much as He loves you?
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Sometimes the simpler the better!
I have a habit that sometimes makes my wife quite nervous. I love to talk to strangers, learn about them, and their lives. It’s fascinating to me how many of these strangers are, in some way, connected to me well within the often mentioned 6 degrees of separation.
There have been times where I was able to impart wisdom to them and many where I learned more from them than I ever could have if I just walked past with a simple wave.
Great article, Jason, I had known little about “Our Town” until today. I’ll have to catch a performance sometime soon.