When the cast of Cherry Hill East’s fall play “Our Town” looks at the setting of the story, they don’t just see the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners.
In some ways, they see a reflection of the things they love about Cherry Hill.
“Our Town” will premiere at Cherry Hill East on Dec. 5. The play is a story about a fictional town in New England during the early 20th century. It focuses on a group of citizens in the town and various events in their lives. The play is performed without a set or props, instead focusing on the characters’ dialogue and actions.
The play’s main theme is about not taking the good things in life for granted. Play director Tom Weaver didn’t want the cast and the audience to just focus on how wonderful Grover’s Corners is portrayed in the story. He wanted them to also focus on how wonderful Cherry Hill is.
“When I did ‘Our Town,’ I wanted to celebrate our town,” Weaver said.
To help make the connection, the Cherry Hill Theater Boosters is planning to include a booth with photos and memorabilia taking residents through Cherry Hill’s history. There are also plans to sell copies of a Monopoly-based board game called Cherry Hill Opoly and have representatives from Cherry Hill’s municipal government speak during intermission.
“All of this information can be displayed in a fun way,” Weaver said.
Many members of the cast didn’t realize how much they appreciated Cherry Hill until they went through the play’s script. Senior Brandon Adams, playing the role of Stage Manager, said life in Cherry Hill is much better compared to his old hometown of Wilson, N.C.
“Coming up here was a shock,” Adams said. “The police force is so good that you barely see them in action.”
Senior Lior Algrably, playing Julia Gibbs, is a native of Israel. She goes back to visit family there and is reminded of how much she has to be grateful for at home.
“I used to take Cherry Hill for granted,” she said. “When I visit Israel, you see the major cultural differences. You see how everyone is enlisted in the army.”
Jacob DeBlecourt, playing Frank Gibbs, said people less fortunate don’t just live in other states or countries. He noted communities near Cherry Hill where high school students don’t have the same opportunities he does.
“We only live 15 minutes from Camden, which is nothing like Cherry Hill,” he said.
Many cast members said the thing they like most about Cherry Hill is its neighborly atmosphere. Katherine Trauger is playing Myrtle Webb in the play. She said there’s a sense of family between the characters, which can also be seen in Cherry Hill and their own school community.
“’Our Town’ is a lot about family and staying together,” Trauger said. “We’ve gotten to know each other so well.”
A key component to the drama department at Cherry Hill East is the ability for the entire cast to work as a team. “Our Town,” like most productions at the school, includes a red cast and a white cast. Weaver said he teaches the two casts not to compete against one another, but rather to lean on each other.
Senior Andrew Zaleski is one of two students playing the lead role of George Gibbs. He said having another person playing the same character makes the rehearsal process much easier.
“You get to watch the opposite play your character and you can pick up things,” he said.
Joshua Murtha is playing Charles Gibbs in the play. He said he was nervous entering Cherry Hill East as a freshman, but feels right at home in the theater department because the students are so friendly.
“After your first show, this place becomes your second home,” he said.
Many cast members said “Our Town” made them take a step back and appreciate the opportunities they have at their school and in their community. Weaver hopes the audience is impacted in the same way the students have been.
“Our Town” will be performed at Cherry Hill East at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, 6, 12 and 13. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. Seniors with a gold card are admitted for free. For more information, visit www.chetheatre.com.
