My Thoughts on Our Town

Last night, I experienced a trifecta of firsts: my first Broadway performance via a lottery ticket, my first time sitting in a box seat, and my first time seeing Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. It’s a show I’ve long heard about as a cornerstone of American theater, and with this revival directed by Kenny Leon, I was eager to see what makes this play so beloved.

Our Town is quiet, introspective, and surprisingly quaint considering its towering status in the theater canon. It strips away theatrical artifice, using minimal sets, no props, and frequent fourth-wall breaks to remind us that what we’re watching is a story about fictional people in a fictional small town. The cast delivers the material with passion and precision, and Leon’s direction is thoughtful and clear.

But I have to admit — this play just isn’t for me.

I appreciated the artistry and understood the universal themes of life, love, and death, but I felt emotionally disconnected from the characters. Because the show constantly reminds you that these are actors performing a story, it kept me at arm’s length. Instead of immersing me, it felt like viewing a famous painting behind a smudged pane of glass — you know it’s significant, you appreciate its craftsmanship, but you can’t quite find that one detail that hooks you in emotionally.

The Broadway house itself also worked against the show, in my opinion. Our Town is an intimate play that thrives on simplicity. It felt swallowed up in the large theater, and I couldn’t help but think it would have more impact in a smaller space — a community theater, perhaps, where the audience feels like they’re truly part of the town.

Then there were the scents.

This production includes scent effects to enhance certain moments — heliotrope, vanilla, and even bacon. Sitting in the box, I must’ve been close to one of the scent machines, because the smells were overwhelming. The intention was to evoke memories and heighten the senses, but for me, it was more of a distraction than an enhancement.

All that said, I’m glad I saw it. I understand why so many people love Our Town and consider it a masterpiece. But it wasn’t my cup of tea. If you’ve never seen it, I wouldn’t discourage you from going — especially if you’re someone who loves theater history or introspective storytelling. Just know that it’s a quiet play, more cerebral than emotional, and might be better experienced in a more intimate setting.

And maybe sit far from the scent machine.