The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces the cast and crew for Thornton Wilder’s inspirational play “Our Town,” which is sponsored by Community Bank and Trust. This is the organization’s third production of the 2008-2009, 75^th Anniversary Season, which is funded in part by The Stefanie H. Weill Charitable Fund and Acuity for the Arts.

One of the greatest classics of the American Theatre, “Our Town” is a beautiful depiction of ordinary life in Grovers Corners, New Hampshire, in the early 1900’s. While chronicling Daily Life, Love and Marriage and Life and Death, it celebrates traditional, small town, family values as it focuses on the ordinary lives of two neighboring families, the Gibbses and the Webbs. With new meaning for every generation, this is a play for the entire family and for audience members of all ages.

Breaking new theatrical ground when first produced, the show is narrated by the benevolent Stage Manager, played here by Jim Jacques, who debuted with the Sheboygan Theatre Company as the Bellhop in “Lend Me a Tenor.” The coveted roles of Emily Webb and George Gibbs are played respectively by Brenda Pence, last seen as Daisy Mae in “Li’l Abner” and by Holland White, who was Louis in “The King and I.” Their parents are Jennifer Schleinz and Jim Johnson as Mr. and Mrs. Webb and Sharon Quinn and Lee Tempas as Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs.

Steven Thaves is Wally Webb and Hilary Mayer is Rebecca Gibbs, while Jeff Kelm is Howie Newsome, Bill Coldren is Constable Warren and Richard Jordan is Simon Stimson. Jon Cook, Ben Johnson, Susan Chambers Johnson, Clark R. Kirst and Lee J. Schneider portray other townspeople. The large cast also includes Bob Deyo, Chuck Ebert, Don Held, Angela Landgraf, Anna Menzer, Elizabeth Menzer and Katherine Nye.

Elizabeth Plotka, Kim Prellwitz, Sara St. Thomas, Kim Singer, Cera Hope White, Heidi Sunshine White, Alexandria Wickland, Cassie Ziegelbauer, Terra Ziegelbauer, Christy Zimmermann and Lily Zimmermann are also seen onstage.

Directed by Ralph Maffongelli, “Our Town” features a set design by the staff Technical Director/Designer, Dustin L. Uhl, and a light design by Rick Klein. Costume designs are by Janice Remling, while Lynn Schultz is designing the make-up and Dave Steinmeyer and Joe Selinski the sound. Jackie Blindauer is the Property Master and Colleen Bertram and Susan Baumgart are the Master Painters. The Master Carpenter is Lloyd Reilly and the Master Electrician is Scott Landgraf Jr. Stage Manager for the production is Keith Rooker.

"Our Town" will open Friday, February 6, and be performed each evening through Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, with the exceptions of Sunday and Monday. There is also a matinee on Sunday, February 8. The production will be presented at the Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and the matinee at 2:00 p.m.

Admission is $20.00 for adults, $16.00 for seniors sixty and over and $10.00 for youngsters through high school and college students. Tickets are available at the Theatre Company office in the Community Recreation Department, 607 S. Water Street, or at the theatre box office 45 minutes before curtain of each performance. Season Tickets guaranteeing admission for all five shows are still available at $50.00 for adults and $25.00 for students. To learn more visit www.sheboygantheatercompany.com and then call 920/459-3779 to reserve tickets or for further information.