'Our Town'
Revival Reunites Three Thespians
By SUZIE HARRISON

Staff photo by Courtenay Nearburg  Top photo: Former drama student Amanda Hastings recruited her mentor Doug Rowe to return to Laguna Beach High School to direct and perform in "Our Town," which opens May 14 - 17 at the Artists' Theatre. Photos by Russell Pierce From Left to Right: Monique Thomas, Wyatt Fair, Celena DelPizzo-Howell

On a nearly barren stage, filled only by a few chairs and tables, three unlikely theater contemporaries in 1996 prepared for rehearsal of "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder.

Now that thespian trio of Amanda Hastings, Mark Dressler and Doug Rowe has come full circle.

The three, although now taking up different roles, are again involved in the production of "Our Town," on an equally sparse Laguna Beach High School stage. The show opens May 14.

Then a student cast in the starring role, Hastings today will direct her first major production. Rowe, then a guest director, will now take direction from the student he mentored and directed more than a decade ago. Dressler, the performing arts department chair, will serve as producer.

Staff photo by Courtenay Nearburg Doug Rowe in March during a reading of the show with cast members.

The play's timeless message of living in the moment still strongly resonates. For Rowe, a reprise of "Our Town" was enough to lure him back to the town where he built his theater career.

"Irrespective of all plays ever done, none is as life changing to so many people as this," said Rowe, who moved to Oregon 20 years ago after three decades as artistic director at Laguna Playhouse.

Wilder's point of view, "changes the way people look at things. For here, it would be the surf, not to take it for granted. Not to waste time, days are lost. You must live the day and enjoy the moment," Rowe said.

Hastings, like her mentors, said the playwright's feel good message is the reason Wilder's work is one of the most produced.

Without breathtaking special effects, costumed characters become the audience's focus. "This is a real actor's play, it's dependent upon the actors. It's a benchmark in simplicity and faith that the audience will use their imagination," Dressler said.

Hastings distinctly remembers scenes dramatized by her character that involved an imaginary clock and tree. Despite the lack of props, her recall of the scene is vivid. "It really stayed with me; I remember that distinctly," she said.

Now as the play's director, "Our Town" will hold a different meaning for Hastings. "With Doug, I learned so much from him 12 years ago," said Hastings, now 30, undaunted by stepping into her mentor's shoes.

Dressler, too, has learned from Rowe. "Doug is my chief inspiration and influence as an artist and my number one mentor," Dressler said of his now close friend. "Doug was the nucleus artistic energy, the flame and we were the moths. He was the artistic magnet."

"It's just so great to be back," Rowe said.

Laguna Beach High School Drama Department's Park Avenue Players will present "Our Town" at 7:30 p.m. May 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the Artists' Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

Tickets are $20 and $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Call 497-7769 for information.