Hatrix’s bare-bones production of ‘Our Town’ relies on story

By Lethbridge Herald on May 20, 2025.

Richard Amery
For The Herald

Local theatre company Hatrix Theatre takes a trip back to the turn of the century for their production of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Our Town,” happening May 22-31 on Thursday through Saturday each week at the McNally Community Centre.

“It’s the most beautiful play ever written ,” said director Karolyn Harker, who  produced the play while teaching high school and again when teaching at Medicine Hat College.

She is excited to bring the play, written in 1938, to the stage in Lethbridge.

“It takes place between 1901 and 1913, before the invention of the automobile. But it is timeless,” Harker said, adding it explores all the stages of life.

“Our Town” tells the story of one small town, in order to tell us the story of every town, the whole world over.

Follow two families through 12 years of life changes — from the mundane, to the romantic, to the devastating — the play about the stages of life from birth to growing up, marriage and eventual death. The play begins with the mention of the birth of twins and explores  childhood as it follows the courtship of Grover’s Corner teens, rising baseball star George Gibbs and Emily Webb.

“It’s about falling in love, getting married and dying— the circle of life,” Harker said.

What sets this play apart is there  is a very basic set and no props. All on-stage activities are mimed by the talented cast, requiring the audience to use their imaginations to place themselves  in 1901.

Harker is excited to work with a large cast including Hatrix veterans including Karl Airey, Jocelyn Steinborn and relative newcomers including Brookee Bullock and Michael Dyck plus fresh new talent including Bullock’s sons Desmond and Luke, plus newcomers Ruby Johnson and Leander Spencer.

Greg VanDeurzen who last performed with Hatrix Theatre in “A Comedy of Tenors,” plays George Gibbs and Kaela Lee who was in Hatrix Theatre’s production of ”The Mousetrap,” plays his paramour Emily Webb.

The cast is rounded out by Mary Combs, Petula Dyck, Jeff Graham, Richard Amery. Matthew Schaaf, steps up on stage from behind the sound board  to play Dr. Gibbs in “ Our Town.”

“I hope audiences will see the play and  realize that perhaps we need to slow down and smell the roses because life moves fast. Don’t miss it. We have a wonderful cast and crew,” Harker said.

Wilder delivers universal truths about what it means to be human with wit, humour and heart. Tickets are $70 for the opening gala dinner theatre and $25 for all other nights. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night . Doors open at 7 p.m. Click on the ticket link at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/hatrix/our-town or at the door.

Call director Karolyn Harker for more information or to set up photo opportunities at 403 327-2790.