Simple Message Of 'Our Town' Draws Couple To Directorial Debut

Opening night for Thornton Wilder's Our Town, brought to the community stage by The Village Players in Valrico, marked the stage direction debut of community theater veteran actress Paula Spangler-Klein, whose husband, Mike, provided artistic direction.

It was kind of a dare that the couple set to direct a production together.

"My husband and I were having a discussion and I asked, 'If you ever were going to direct a play, what would it be?' And he said, 'Our Town.' I said, 'Okay, I'll see if we can do it."

The green light came, which led to this summer's production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play at the James McCabe Theater.

Backstage after the first act on opening night, Paula Spangler-Klein said her husband liked the small-town feel of the of the show, and that it featured "a simpler age." For her part, she said she liked the timer period and the simple message of a classic play that had not been performed locally for a long time.

"I love the message of the show," she said. "The message is don't take life for granted, enjoy every minute, because it will all be gone before you know it."

The play, according to its synopsis, "explores the fictional lives of the Gibbs family, the Webb family and their neighbors in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire early in the 20th century. With quiet wisdom and an almost bare stage, the play captures the richness of ordinary people living ordinary lives."

Remaining show dates are Aug. 10, 16, 17 and 24, at 8 p.m.; also, Aug. 11 and 25, at 3 p.m. Tickets cost $14 for general admission and $12 for senior citizens, students and military, with identification. The cost for groups of 10 or more, with reserved seating: $10.

Call 813-643-8292 for reservations. Or, Video Exchange, at 813-685-1664.