Wilder's George and Emily are...

a typical couple for their time. They grew up next door to each other, in their small New Hampshire town, in the early years of the twentieth century. George excelled at baseball, and Emily was the best public speaker in high school. Each of them had a dream of becoming the best at what they enjoyed - George as a professional baseball player, and Emily as a woman who made speeches all her life. But they both faced obstacles not really evident to teen-agers at that time. For George, it was the harsh reality that marrying and becoming a father meant having to provide for his young family. And for Emily, she would have faced the widely prevailing prejudices against women going into any professional role - women didn't even get the right to vote until 1920. Each of them put aside their 'dream' to fit into their town's idea of what their place in society ought to be. George's compromise was to become a farmer, living a life of physical activity and outdoor work, rather than becoming a doctor, like his father. For Emily, the chance to help manage their farm would provide an outlet for her superior intellect, the smartest girl in class and one who excelled in math. Their stories provide a window into the daily living habits and patterns that defined a generation, just as America was starting to grow in all directions, getting ready to come to Europe's rescue in the Great War, yet still facing inward, trying to foresee its own glorious future.

The Stage Manager (Paul Newman) conducts the wedding ceremony as Emily (Maggie Lacey) and George (Ben Fox) are married, in Act Two.

Living and Dying in 'Our Town' is a production of Character Studies

© 2007 Character Studies Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved. Published May 16, 2007