The Star Theatre to open Friday

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EATON — The Star Theatre will hold a ribbon cutting and celebrate its grand opening on Friday, Aug. 16, at 5 p.m. at Eagles Point in Eaton. Following the ribbon cutting will be the inaugural production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” at 7 p.m.

The play is directed by Lisa Marling and tells the fictional story of a small town, Grover’s Corners, between 1901 and 1913. The story talks about what happens in every day life in a small town.

“Our Town is the story of life in this small town, but it has such a universal outreach to it. It could be any town — it could be Eaton, Ohio. In fact, I think if we all sat down we could identify everybody in the cast. It is in three acts and it is the story of families and their lives,” Marling said. “[Wilder] was good at looking beneath the surface, and beneath the surface of our everyday life is the concern that we don’t see what is important when it is right in front of us.

“We don’t live in the moment, we are always thinking about what comes next, what we have to do tomorrow. We don’t listen well as human beings. We don’t embrace the beauty of every moment in life, because we are so focused on out there somewhere, what is going to happen down the road. Because we do that, we miss so much that is important. That is the focus of [Our Town].”

She added, she chose to do “Our Town” because she was familiar with the play and also thought it would resonate well with the inhabitants of Preble County.

“Many theatres do ‘Our Town’ and they do it, because community theatre is about community — it is about our town. People come and they get involved. We have people involved in this play from third grade to late 80s. It is universal — everybody can see something in it. Everybody who comes to see it can connect somehow to ‘Our Town,’ Marling said.

“People should come for a few reasons. It is so common to hear people say, ‘There is nothing to do in this town.’ Now there is something to do. Another reason they should come is to support having theatre in the town. To connect with each other, it is a great opportunity to come out, see your neighbor, talk to each other, and do something a little celebratory. It is also important to reflect that we don’t live in the moment, and ‘Our Town’ will make you do that.”

Actor Dave Kirsch added, “I think this is a great amenity for not only Preble County, but the City of Eaton, to have. It is going to start a new culture for our youth as well as residents in the City of Eaton, Preble County, Richmond, Brookville. We can all get together, have fun, and bring a play to the community. It is a great opportunity.”

Star Theatre’s presentation of “Our Town” will be held on Friday, Aug. 16, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 18, at 2 p.m. General Admission seating is $15. Tickets can be purchased on Facebook, at www.thestartheatre.org, or in person at Eaton Floral.

According to Director Marling, attendees should look for the door on Barron Street with the comedy/tragedy pig next to it.

By Kelsey Kimbler

[email protected]

Reach Kelsey Kimbler at 937-683-4061 or on Twitter @KKimbler_RH

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