Venice Theatre’s upcoming Stage II drama is the cherished Thornton Wilder classic, “Our Town.” Winner of the 1938 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 1989 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, “Our Town” remains a staple of professional, educational and community theaters. Seventy-five years after its premiere on Broadway, Our Town is still performed at least once each night somewhere in the United States, and throughout the world. Venice Theatre’s new production of Our Town is one of many productions around the globe celebrating the 75th anniversary of the play. It opens on Thursday, March 14 and runs through Sunday, March 30. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (30 minutes earlier than Venice Theatre’s usual start time of 8 p.m.) and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $25-$28 for adults, $13-$15 for students, and are on sale now at the theater’s box office, online at www.venicestage.com or by phone at 941-488-1115. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more.

Our Town is about everyday life at the turn of the 20th century in the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Divided into three acts (Daily Life; Love & Marriage; and Death & Eternity) the play focuses on the Webb and Gibbs families, particularly on the developing relationship between the young Emily Webb and George Gibbs. While showing daily routines as simple as making breakfast, stringing green beans, studying algebra, and singing at choir rehearsal, Wilder simultaneously reflects on larger issues such as the search for meaning, personal identity and the eternity of the soul. Wilder’s works are known for exploring the connection between the mundane and sacred dimensions of human existence and “Our Town” is arguably the best-known example.