HAMMOND – Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winner “Our Town” is the first production of the 2002-2003 season by the Southeastern Louisiana University Theatre.
      The play, directed by Southeastern faculty member Kay M. Files, will be presented October 8 through 12 during Fanfare, Southeastern’s celebration of the arts. The 7:30 p.m. production will be the inaugural performance in the reopening of the extensively renovated Vonnie Borden Theatre on Southeastern’s Hammond campus.  
      Wilder’s American classic presents a nostalgic and beautiful look at small town life in 1901 America, allowing the audience glimpses of two families, the Gibbses and Webbs. With the families’ interaction, and their bond through the love of two members, Wilder shows the pattern of life and the shame of taking it for granted and not appreciating every moment of every day.
      Starring in the Southeastern production are: Jacob Zeringue of Bogalusa, as Dr. Gibbs; Kelly Stone of Baton Rouge as Mrs. Gibbs; Anthony Long of Baton Rouge as Mr. Webb; Tiffany Long of Baton Rouge as Mrs. Webb; Betsy Mayeux of Baton Rouge as Emily; and Daniel Thomas of Ponchatoula as George. Theatre  alumnae Jeff Polito of Mandeville will be a guest star as The Stage Manager.
      Other cast members include Lee Jeansonne, Dustin Diaz, Casey Saba and David Prejeant, Covington; Natalie Austin, Betty Turner,  Erin Klein and Elsie Mae Rogers, Ponchatoula; Lauren Faraone, Sean Gasser, Lauren Folks and Derek Barnes, Baton Rouge; Sean Curry, Hahnville; Rusty Gregoire, Pumpkin Center; Terrance Walker, Loranger; Anastasia Wesley & Darce’ Dorsey, New Orleans; and Kristi LeJeune, Joseph Luna, Ben Norman, and Rachel Lee, Hammond.
      Theatre faculty members Steve Schepker and Robin Steptoe will design the setting, lighting and period costumes and senior Jonathan Stelly is the stage manager.
      “Our Town” is said to be the most widely produced and beloved play in the U.S., a favorite appropriate for all ages.  The New York Times called it “beautiful and remarkable--one of the wisest, warmest and most deeply human scripts ever written......A spiritual experience.”
      Tickets for “Our Town” will be available at the Vonnie Borden Theatre box office in D Vickers Hall beginning from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 1 and at 6 p.m. on performance days. Tickets may also be obtained by calling the box office at 985-549-2115.  
      Tickets are $5 general admission; $3 for students, faculty & staff, and senior citizens, and admission is free for all Southeastern students with valid ID.  All seating is reserved. For more information, contact Files at 985-549-3546. For more information on Fanfare, visit www.selu.edu/fanfare or call 985-543-4366.