The Hamilton College Department of Theatre and Dance will present Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth, under the direction of Professor Carole Bellini-Sharp on Wednesday through Saturday, Nov. 19-22 at 8 p.m. All performances are in Minor Theater.
The Skin of Our Teeth has been described as a comedy-tinged look at an American family. Written by Thornton Wilder in 1942 following the playwright's trip to war-torn London, this play is a timeless statement about human foibles and human endurance.
The Skin of Our Teeth, which won the coveted Pulitzer Prize, follows the story of the Antrobus family as they represent the writer's idea of what the American people are all about. Wilder centers this allegorical play on the nuclear family. Mr. Antrobus (Tom Klaber '06) is the father of the clan. He is an inventor and he works very hard creating things such as the alphabet and the wheel to make life easier for his family.
Mrs. Antrobus (Shannon Fitzsimons '05) is a stay-at-home-mom who keeps the home fires burning against the threat of the coming Ice Age. Amy Schloerb '06 and Daniel Leonard '04 play the willful Antrobus children, Gladys and Henry.
For an added twist, Wilder includes the French maid/mistress/beauty queen, Sabina (Gillian Smith '04) who provides an interesting contrast to Mrs. Antrobus' devotion while at the same time creating more trouble for Mr. Antrobus than he ever imagined.
Just as Wilder captured the essence of the human spirit in his most well-known play, Our Town, he once again provides an uncanny insight in to the soul of mankind when faced with extreme suffering. The Skin of Our Teeth dramatizes that humankind has survived great trials "by the skin of our teeth." But heeding the advice of previous generations and sticking to the best path, we can make progress.
Tickets for The Skin of Our Teeth are $6.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and students and $3.00 for Hamilton College students. All seating is general admission. Reservations are suggested as seating is limited. For reservations or more information, call Anne Riffle in the Department of Theatre and Dance at (315) 859-4057.
