Our Town Act 3, part 1, Penelope Ann Miller monologue

This is from a 1989 Lincoln Center production, featuring Spalding Gray, Penelope Ann Miller, Eric Stolz, and Frances Conroy. There's nothing hokey or quaint about this stark, intense production. Miller's portrayal of Emily Webb's ghost revisting her 12th birthday moves me deeply every time I watch it. It was broadcast on TV, PBS, Great Performances series. Part 2 follows.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Thornton
• Wilder
• Our
• Town
• theater
• Lincoln
• Center
• Penelope
• Ann
• Miller
• Frances
• Conroy
• afterlife

[downeastboy84]

who palyed the nator

[dansato]

@downeastboy84 Spalding Gray plays the Stage Manager (narrator).

[mizzybranson]

where can i find this entire production?

[dansato]

It's out of print. You might want to ask WNET to re-release it on DVD.

[utunderground]

I was 21 years old when I first saw this play from Thorton Wilder. I was tramatized after seeing this act. I cried for days, because it is so true. I still try so hard to grasp every momment of my life. I sometimes wonder, if it has keep me from excelling during my life, not wanting to become so involved in being successful that I not enjoy the simple things.

[dansato]

Thornton Wilder would probably have questioned how you defined "excelling" and "successful." You could be less wealthy, but more successful.

[Raina430]

I played the mother in high school. I was supposed to play Emily but the nuns thought it would build my character if I didn't get to express my ability so gave it to a younger girl who couldn't act and was shy and retiring ); Even then, these lines broke my heart. In the culture families still for the most part don't see each other. Guess it's easier to go on programmed behavior. But the disastrous consequences are all around us.

[redredshoes]

She is fucking heartbreaking. Wow.

[37hoon]

I like Penelope's facial expression tense and plentiful

[bigben055]

I played Simon Stimson 2 years ago and this scene stills brings tears to my eyes. I held my tears in during the week of productions. Wilder is a master!

[bluedoris88]

I will see this play, this summer ,in the open air theatre in Porthcurno, Cornwall,England,(look it up) I hope its half as good as this!

but I doubt it! This is truly excellent. the professionalism of this cast is awesome.

thanks so much. geoff

[Joseyoy92]

It's mother from six feet under, love it.

[JMB545]

I recently played Emily in a production of this wonderful play. And I'll be honest I thought I understood the concept of it while performing it, but I knew I was missing something I needed to complete the character and truly detatch myself from reality, and it wasnt until the production ended completely. I was absolutely heartbroken because i realized exactly what emily had felt.

[slownoman]

This is as heartbreaking, beautiful, and true as theater gets. Our eldest daughter performed this at the end of her senior year in high school and won a scholarship in performing arts. the judges were weeping. How could they not?

[DLJmisty]

Alright, ive been trying to find this part of Penelopes burial at where i believe they plaid a song during that time. any one know where i might be able to find it?

[electragoob]

I am playing Myrtle WEbb in our production. Opening night is in a few weeks, ACT 3 is the hardest thing for me. I run out of stuff to do after I list the things Emily got for her birthday... but it is such an amazing play, i just want to sit and watch Emily talk. It's amazing.