Discuss the character of the Stage Manager. How does he fit into the world of the play? Keep in mind that the idea of an omniscient character in a play was very cutting edge. Post your response by Sunday (11/1), and don't forget to respond to a classmate's response.
The stage manager fits into the world of the play because he seems to know all about each individual that we meet. He ties the story together, and makes it so that we know what is going on in the story at all times. The idea that he is omniscient is kind of interesting, because he explains what the people in play go on to be, and what happens to them in the future, which is something that I am always wondering about after the play is over. What happens to this person, and what effect did this action have on their life?
ReplyDeleteHe also fits into the play because he ties everything together. If someone is wondering about what is going on, they can look to the part of the story that the stage manager explains everything. That ties into that fact that he is omniscient, because even though he only interacts with the characters directly a few times, and when he doesn't play as himself, it still gives you the feel that he is right in with the community.
The stage manager fits into the world of the play as part of the background. The way thr play is set up allows for a person that can inturupt a scene and explain what is going on like the stage manager, who is like a narrator but is an actual charecter in the play
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager plays a key part in "Our Town." He is the person that tells everyone the story and what is happening in a particular scene. He also plays the small random parts like the person serving drinks and the priest for their wedding. He seems to know everything about everyone, and everyone also seems to know who he is whenever he is someone. He is mostly there to tell the story, and to help people that are confused with the plot as the narrator of the play.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is interesting that he is "all-knowing" or omniscient. This gives the play a whole new look on things because the audience then knows what is going to happen to certain people in the future. It is interesting to find out as the audience that he is omniscient, too and you have to be listening intently to really understand that he's not just the story teller of the present, but he knows the future. When he talks about the future, he just seems to make the past into the story but talk about it in the present tense. I agree with Theo with the fact that it's really helpful knowing what is going to happen to the people in the play because I too and always wondering afterwards. I think that without that, this play wouldn't be as good.
I think that the stage manager is like the shepherd of the town it is almost like he has come back from the future to make sure everything happens the way it should like he fills in for the drug store clerk, if he hadn't George and Emily might not have talked and not have gotten married. what Theo. says is also true though he fills in what happens to the to the characters after the play ends which is interesting and he also explains the plot.
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager in this play is almost a character from the future in this play. He knows everything that has and is going to happen. When things happen while he's talking to the audience about the scene it's almost like he could describe it without looking. What I think is that he was once or maybe will become a resident of Grovers Corner. He was maybe once a man living there who died and now watches over the town. Or, he could be a man that is going to be living there and until then narrates the chain of events leading up to that.
ReplyDeleteThe Stage Manager seems to know everything about everyone, but in such a familiar way that it seems like he knows each of them personally. His familiarity is almost unsettling, because of the fact that he knows their future as well. He can tell the audience exactly what is going to happen to all of the characters in the play when they grow up. But when he tells of people's futures, he tells them in the past tense. So it's sorta like hes from the future. I disagree with billy when he says that the stage manager has come back from the future to make sure everything happens the way it was supposed to. This isn't back to the future, its more that the stage manager has found an example of how we go through life unaware that we are living it as we do so.
ReplyDeleteI think that the stage managers character fits into the play (as everybody has said earlier,) that he knows what happens, when it happens. I think that what keeps him so interesting is the fact that he is multiple characters in the play. His knowledge of the future is odd, because he interrupts scenes in the play to tell us information that isn't relevant to the story, but it is relevant to the play.
ReplyDeleteThe part about him being all knowing in a sense kills the element of surprise. We know who dies, when they die, and so many other things that as an audience we shouldn't want to know.
I think the stage manager fits into the play because he really ties everything together, like Theo originally said. The stage manager's character was a pretty bold idea in a play for the time, but I think that his role is essential to the play because his omniscience allows us to know all the perspectives of the character's lives. Not only does the stage manager tie everything together, but he also makes the audience seem a part of the play, and the play a part of the audience by directing us specifically. An example of this this was at the end of the first act when he said it was time for intermission, and everyone who smoked could go and smoke.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the stage manager has an interesting part in the play because he sometimes directly addresses the other members of the cast as they are onstage, and sometimes they act as if they can't see or hear him. I agree with Molly in that way when she says that he also plays many small roles on the side, like Mr. Morgan at the drugstore. In addition to that, he introduced all the people who were going to play the characters in the very beginning. The stage manager talks to the audience, the cast members, and plays those little parts. He is omniscient in the sense that he knows all that's happening in Our Town, but he also knows the people playing all of the individual characters. That makes him a very unique and important character in this play.
I think the stage manager is a crucial part of the play. The play almost doesn't make sense without him. When I imagine this play with no stage manager and no narrator it seems like a dull play. I wouldn't immediately understand that Our Town is about the everyday life as it was for the citizens of Grover's corners. By being omniscient or all-knowing he is adding a very mysterious twist to the play. It causes everybody to wonder what his background is. He is very interactive with the characters in the play. He talks to them and he sometimes plays certain minor parts like Molly and Jesse said.
ReplyDeleteHe is very unique and futuristic. I think for that time he is very modern. I enjoy the omniscience he adds to play. It's refreshing.
The stage manager contributes a great deal to "Our Town." I agree with Molly in that he plays the small parts that still makes him part of the play as well as narrator. It shows that he can actually interact with the characters; either by stopping a scene or partaking in it. In the play the narrator also has an uncommon ability rare in narrators to glimpse the future. So while the present day play is taking place, we might suddenly shoot forward to the future to know a piece of material that connects with the play. The stage manager knows ALL, yet this takes away the element of surprise. What lacks in surprise though, the stage manager makes up for in making this play a cutting edge novelty unseen to the world.
ReplyDeletethe stage manager is important to the play because he is also the narrotor and tells you what is happening in the play. the stage manager is also a stage manager he puts out tables and chairs closes the currtains and all that kind of stuff. when there is a person that shows up just once or twice in the play the stage manager will take this part so they dont need and extra charactor. what the stage manger does that proble no one will write in a play is he talks direcly to the aduance.
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager fits into the play, and plays a large role because he is the all-knowing one. He knows everything about all the characters in the play. He knows their pasts, their secrets, who they are friends with, etc. I agree with Molly and Katherine when they said that he not only acts as the narrator in the play, but also plays the small roles that aren't as important to the development of the story. Another thing that the stage manager does is interact with the characters as well as tell us, the readers, what is going on.
ReplyDeleteThe stage manager proves to be all-knowing when he informs the reader of Joe Crowell Jr. and the Gibbs' deaths. He knows what will happen to everyone in the town and informs the reader. The stage manager is the one that keeps the reader informed and updated with the actions in the play, which proves that he is a very important character.
I agree with liza in the fact that it is unsettling how much the stage manager seems to know about all the characters. It seems as though is is or maybe was a part of the town community because he knows so much about each individual. In the beginning of the first act he looks at his watch and then says something along the lines of, "yup, the paperboy Joe Crowell Jr. should be coming right now." And then he looks up and there is Joe Crowell coming on his way to deliver papers.
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