I remember wondering, when I read Thornton Wilder's Our Town in high school, how the play could possibly be interesting when staged. The script calls for no set, no props, and minimal scenery. It's something that only sometimes works in modern (as opposed to "Modern") theatre, so the idea of a play written in the thirties that takes place between 1901–1913 and uses the type of set typically reserved for performance art was, I'll admit, never especially interesting to me.

But when The Arden announced that they'd be closing their season with Wilder's Pulitzer-winning show, there was something to be interested in: part of the show would be staged at the historic Christ Church next door. Not just the meetinghouse where countless companies stage their productions—no, the second act of Our Town would be staged in the church sanctuary.

Unfortunately, the change in location for the middle act of the play only really served to wake up the sleepy audience, partly because of the move itself and partly because of the stiff-backed pews in the uncomfortably warm Christ Church sanctuary. While Our Town is peppered with cleverly written slice-of-life scenes and even a laugh or two, the play as produced by The Arden remains no less dull than the play as read in high school English classes.

That being said, The Arden's Our Town truly features some of Philadelphia's top talent: Bev Appleton, Sherri L. Edelen, Harry Philibosian, Brian Wilson, and Greg Wood, to name a few. All of the actors in lead roles handle their roles adeptly, and the supporting cast does its part in establishing the feel of Grover's Corners. Sound effects, in keeping with the show's minimalist aesthetic, are performed off the sides of the stage by the townspeople. It's a thoroughly integrated performance, and one that's well-staged by director Terrence J. Nolen. But at the end of the day, it's still Our Town. And, with apologies to Thornton Wilder, Our Town is still boring.

Chioma Dunkley, Rebecca Blumhagen, Eric Hissom, Peterson Townsend, and Brian Kurtas at Christ Church in Arden Theatre Company's production of Our Town, through June 22. Photo by Mark Garvin.