Not / Our Town – Play – Pony World Theatre

Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Not / Our Town play by Pony World Theatre at 12th Avenue Arts. Experimental take on Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Performances differ based on audience survey. They pulled me on stage for rock, paper, scissors! Multilayered timeline. Great message about life’s mundane moments. #theatre

Synopsis from the Theatre: With Not / Our Town, Pony World Theatre tackles the most iconic American classic: Our Town by Thornton Wilder. But how much this production feels like an old classic or something new, different, and weird is up to audience members. Before each show, the audience takes a survey with options for several different scenes, staging styles, and even story elements. The winning votes determine that night’s performance. This is not improvised theatre, but instead numerous possible variations of the script. Do you want to see teenagers on ladders or things falling from the ceiling? How about puppets? Would you like to see people fall in love or out of love? You can decide. Does someone need to know or appreciate the original Our Town to enjoy this creative imagining of an old story about life and family? Absolutely NOT. Both the 1938 original and this new play tell stories about family, community, and those journeys in life common to us all. Because even when the destination is the same, there are hundreds of different paths to get there.

Reviewed Performance Date: 11/5/22 Evening

Type: Play

World Premiere: I think so?

Recommendation: See it if you like experimental theatre or the original Our Town play.

Rating (Out of 5 Stars): 4 stars

Equity Actors: Zero but they were good.

Rant(s)

  • Even though I see average 3 shows per week, I didn’t understand some of the deep theatre references.
  • I know this is experimental theatre with a pre-performance audience survey but I got major FOMO knowing the show I saw that night wouldn’t match the show someone sees another day!
  • Despite the theatre’s synopsis, I feel like audience members who previously saw the original Our Town would enjoy this more.

Other Rave(s)

  • The stage effect right before the intermission was pretty cool. I won’t spoil it for you though!
  • I don’t know why but the waltz was one of my favorite parts especially with the solo dancer.

Other Thought(s)

  • If you think the play doesn’t make sense throughout the show, stay till the end! You’ll appreciate the take-home message of the play.
  • Get your tickets! I think they sold out opening weekend. I could barely find a seat!
  • Like the theatre synopsis says, this show isn’t true improv. But it had some improv energy if you’re into that. I mean, I was pulled up on stage!
  • They broke the 4th wall!

Theatre Company : Pony World Theatre

Venue: 12th Avenue Arts (aka Black Box Operations)

Venue Physical Address: 1620 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Price: Cheap w/ inclusive pricing options

Dates: November 4 to December 3, 2022

Seating: General Admission

Parking: Paid lot or paid street parking. Street parking is extremely limited since it’s Capitol Hill. Your best luck would be East of Cal Anderson Park on 11th or 12th Ave. Cheapest paid lots are on 11th Ave across from the park. Sigh, “cheapest” was $16 dollars for me. 🙁

Social Media Posts: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Link(s):

Cast and Production Team: Under the video and pictures.

Other Video +/- Pictures: Photography in video and under video are by Tanya Izadora Photography.

@showsiveseen "Not / Our Town" #play by Pony World Theatre by Brendan Healy at 12th Avenue Arts. #Experimental take on #ThorntonWilder's #OurTown. Performances differ based on audience survey. They pulled me on stage for rock, paper, scissors! Multilayered timeline. Great message about life's mundane moments. Review & Photo Credit: showsiveseen.com/1933 #theatre ♬ Better Days – Animal Island
Alanah Pascual Pointing
Alanah Pascual Ladder
Lisa Viertel with Puppet and Jesse Parce
Ensemble in Avant Garde Scene
Augustya Kohli and Tyler Campbell
Amber Walker with Mark Fullerton in Background
Amber Walker Survey
Sophia Franzella with Puppet
Sophia Franzella on Ladder
Lisa Viertel Human Circus
RoleName
Actor (Played as Themselves)Tyler Campbell, Sophia Franzella, Mark Fullerton, Kathy Hsieh, Agastya Kohli, Jesse Parce, Alanah Pascual, Lisa Viertel, and Amber Walker
Playwright & DirectorBrendan Healy
Stage ManagerKristin Brown
Assistant Stage ManagerAnahita Sepehri
Scenic Designer and ChoreographerParmida Ziaei
Prop DesignerAndrea Spraycar
Sound DesignerAlex Potter
Projections DesignerTristan Roberson
Projections AssistantDamon Reaney
Costume DesignerSarah Brush
Puppet DesignerSann Hall
Survey EngineerMike Gilson
Technical DIrectorJustin Duffiance
Scenic Charge and Artist LiaisonAnnie Duffiance
Production ManagerEllie Hughes
Run CrewDaniel Anson

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