Literally, Analysis on what significance does the stage manager play in the overall plot and outcome of Our Town by Thornton Wilder
The Stage Manager was Thomson’s unique and multi-purpose invention similar to his role when he was an actor. The Stage Manager dictate the course of the performance, which correlates to the hints of Wilder that spiritual forces manage human life (Wilder et al.,). Wilder has the Stage Manager come to the arena and makes the first demand to the members of the viewers who they are; he influences them to be active participant despite being viewers. He helps move much scenery and interacts with the audience either speaking to himself or through the persona of the minister.
The Stage Manager provided the exposition of the background facts. As a leader and spokesperson, he helps audience familiarize with various aspects of Grover’s Corner; he introduces the town and characters, which distinguishes it from traditional exposition whereby every character had to reveal facts about places, setting, and plot environment (Wilder et al.,). He also urged viewers toward Emily and assisted her return to life. The stage manager’s significance is felt like the audience get to know actions and relationships in details. Also as part of Wilder didactic motive, his role as instructor imparts lessons to viewers.
The Stage Manager frequently interrupted every scene, which provided cueing for another scene, and gave the audience with relevant information of the scenes that has happened and what is to happen in the next scenes (Wilder et al.,). This trait reveals the Stage Manager as someone who works at the rear of the scenes and occupying the center stage. The stage manager as an actor he steps into scenes interacting with other players and assumes the roles of Grover’s inhabitant or character. For instance, in Act II, after narration of the act, flashback and going to the next scenes set in preparation for the subsequent he steps directly and assumes the role of Mr. Morgan, the drugstore owner and serves ice-cream sodas to Emily Webb but maintains humanity. Despite being a believable outgrowth of the town life with the same caliber as any other citizen of Grover’s corner, the manager portrays that all characters are of the same level and standards.
The stage Manager speaks the playwright’s thoughts and projects directly his themes. The audience and the play’s interaction becomes part of the game itself with help of the Stage Manager who provides dialogue that is he answers all the questions arising from the character (Emily) and the audience as well ensuring satisfaction of thoughts to every individual (Wilder et al.,). The invention of the Stage Manager who demonstrates in the play an absolute reality being inner helps the viewers understand the value of humbleness of everyday transaction.
The Stage Manager runs the show, “Our Town” and he is not agenda-free. The scenes that he shows the audience and the point he drives home teaches that every moment of one’s life should enjoy to the fullest as life is too short. He thus orchestrates the whole play (Wilder et al.,).