Rehearsal shot of Amelie Vasquez as Emily and Jared Severe as George

(METUCHEN, NJ) -- Not long after a revival of Thornton Wilder's play Our Town closed on Broadway, New Jersey audiences will have the chance to see the classic drama close to home. Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center will present the classic play in both Metuchen and Plainfield in July. Directed by Dragonfly's Artistic Director Catherine LaMoreaux, Our Town invites audiences into the heart of small-town America through the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire.

Performances of the timeless story of life, love, and community will take place on July 5 and 6 at St. Luke's Church auditorium in Metuchen. This location is significant because of Metuchen’s 125th Anniversary -- the play is set during the early 1900s, when Metuchen was founded. These performances are co-sponsored by the Friends of Metuchen Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local arts programming.

The Plainfield production marks Dragonfly’s sixth year of offering outdoor performances there. From July 11 to 13, Our Town will be performed on the front porch of the 1896 house that is part of the duCret Center of Art. Audience members should bring their own lawn chairs to the Plainfield performances and are welcome to bring a picnic as well. In case of rain, the performance will move indoors.

Our Town townspeople (left to right): Hedi Molnar, Gianna Spano, David Clarke, PJ Campacci, and Susan Roberts

The production features a talented, diverse cast of experienced New Jersey actors including: David Clarke as the Stage Manager; Elena Marie Abdou as Mrs. Gibbs; Jim Barnish as Mr. Gibbs; Annick Vasquez as Mrs. Webb; JP Isaacs as Mr. Webb; Jared Severe as George; and Amelie Vasquez as Emily.

Tickets and additional information can be found online. Performances take place at St. Luke’s Church (17 Oak Avenue ) in Metuchen—In the auditorium Saturday, July 5 at 8:00pm and Sunday, July 6 at 3:00pm. Performances take place at duCret Center of Art (1030 Central Ave., Plainfield) —Outdoors, bring chairs* Friday, July 11 at 6:00pm; Saturday, July 12 at 6:00pm; and Sunday, July 13 at 3:00pm. *For the Plainfield performances, if it rains, the play will be performed in the auditorium.

Dragonfly began its tradition of outdoor summer theater at duCret in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic—and continues it today because audiences have embraced the joy of watching live theater in the refreshing summer breeze.

Dedicated to arts education, dramatic performances, and creation of newworks with an emphasis on celebrating diversity in content and casting. Dragonfly is a 501(C)(3) charity registered with the Internal Revenue Service.

Founded in Metuchen in 2014, Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center is a nonprofit theater company dedicated to presenting diverse and inclusive productions for audiences of all ages. In residence now at duCret Center of Art, Dragonfly has produced more than 40 plays and is committed to creating meaningful, community-centered theatrical experiences.

Photos by Dragonfly Crew