by Don Church & Tony Schillaci
The legacy of two Connecticut theatrical legends is remembered in the Saybrook Stage Company’s production of “Our Town” at The Kate in Old Saybrook.
Katharine Hepburn, a life-long resident of Saybrook, the winner of four Oscars, an Emmy, two Tony Awards and eight Golden Globes, is the name sake of The Kate – The Katharine Hepburn Center for the Performing Arts. Thornton Wilder who lived in Hamden, Connecticut and taught for many years at Yale University in New Haven, won three Pulitzer Prize-Awards, including one for “Our Town.”
To find out more about the new Saybrook Stage Company, we talked with Cosmo Corigliano, a spokesperson for the production.
The Resident: How did you become affiliated with The Kate?
Cosmo: “Actually, we have no official affiliation with the Kate, however, the hope is to have another production this summer – the exact times, play, etcetera will be decided after this production.”
The Resident: Why did you pick Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” as the Saybrook Stage Company’s first production at The Kate – was it Thornton Wilder?
Cosmo: “That is part of it and also a desire to put on an American Classic that has universal appeal.”
The Resident: Who founded The Saybrook Theater Company?
Cosmo: “It was Terri Corigliano; [his wife] she is also an actor in the play. Terri has been volunteering at The Kate since its construction. She was involved in the initial fundraising events and continues to volunteer today.”
The Resident: How did you get director John De Nicola, who has done so many fine shows at the Ivoryton Playhouse, in addition to many other professional theaters?
Cosmo: “He came highly recommended from Patty Carver, a wonderful actress that lives in Essex. Patty will be playing the part of the Stage Manager in our play.”
The Resident: How did you find the cast members, stage crew and craft designers?
Cosmo: “We had an open audition and then combined that with some actors that had come highly recommended — the cast came together in a very natural easy way. Director John DeNicola, the director, arranged for the stage crew, lighting design and costumer.”
Each of those professionals, including actor Terri Corigliano, and the other experienced members of the cast, had a theater resume that would open any casting door from New York to Hollywood.
The award-winning “Our Town” has for years been an audience favorite for all age groups because of its universal and truthful themes about living in the moment and engaging in it fully – as envisioned by Thornton
Wilder, a master playwright and insightful storyteller, who captures the audience from Act 1 to the final curtain.
“Our Town” plays 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday, January 21st and 22nd. 3 p.m., Sunday, January 23rd. Tickets
are $20 for adults and $15 for children. To order Call 860-510-0473, 877-503-1286 or directly online at www.katharinehepburntheater.org. The Katharine Hepburn Center for the Performing Arts, 300 Main Street, Old Saybrook, CT.
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