Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer-prize winning production kicks off City Theater’s 2026-2027 season, beginning Oct. 2
CONTRIBUTED STORY | City Theater
Oh, earth, you’re too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it—every, every minute?
There is no play more perfect than Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Biddeford’s City Theater is thrilled to announce that it is kicking off its 2026-2027 season with this beloved Thornton Wilder Pulitzer Prize-winner.
Our Town is one of American Theatre’s most cherished plays because of its simplicity, offering engaging timelessness in the place of spectacle. Taking place in the small town of Grovers Corner, we witness a lifetime unfold through the simple daily events of the residents’ lives. From childhood to death, from first love to marriage, from loss to the connections that endure, Our Town invites us to the milestones that define and shape who we are.
Appropriately, this is Artistic Director Linda Sturdivant’s third time directing Our Town. She first directed this play in her 20s as a young director and again when she was in her late 30s.
It is this third time in 2026 that she reflects how Our Town has allowed her to bring fresh perspectives to each production. For each version, she has incorporated the things that have shaped her own life: humor, music, dance, and passion. Our Town invites us to slow down, look closer, and cherish the fleeting beauty of life.
“The greatest American
–– Edward Albee
play ever written.”
The cast of Our Town has many familiar and many new faces.
Joe Quinn returns to the City Theater stage as stage manager, the narrator and guide. Rebecca Cole and Derek Kingsley play Dr. and Mrs. Gibb. Jamie Orenstein returns as Editor Webb.
Rachel Lotstein is making her City Theater debut as Mrs. Webb. Mae Kenny returns to the City Theater stage as Emily Webb, and Andrew Bennington returns as George Gibb. Newcomer Brady Mitchell plays Wally Webb, and June Mailman returns to City Theater as Rebecca Gibb.
The citizens of Grovers Corner’s include newcomers Jon Halbur and Jeffery Mullins. They are joined by seasoned City Theater performers Keith Brown, Katie Buttarazzi, Dane Howe, Andrew LeBlond Sturdivant, Tess Murphy, Astrid Shannon, and John Shannon.
The creative team for City Theater’s production of Our Town is: Linda Sturdivant (Producer/ Director), Mariel Roy (Choreographer), Elizabeth Hobbs (Assistant Director) Karl Carrigan (Scenic Design), Janice Toomey (Production Assistant), Darnell Stuart (Costume Design), Florence Cooley (Lighting Design), Peter Salsbury (Props), Arcadia Recording (Sound Design), and Greg Brackett (Stage Manager).
A huge round of applause for our season underwriters Pizza By Alex, Mobil Studio Architects and Brickyard Hollow. Thank you to our season sponsors Banded Brewing, Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating, Pension Professionals, University of New England, and Rapid Ray’s.
Finally, a hearty thanks to show sponsors: Saco Biddeford Savings Bank, Batson River, and Maine Community Bank.
Our Town runs October 2 –18; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $30 & $35 (all fees included) and are available at www.citytheater.org or 207-282-0849.
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