Stepping Into the Absurd: A Review of Dean College’s The Skin of Our Teeth
Franklin, MA- When looking at campus theatrical performances, few productions ask audiences to take quite as wild or ambitious a ride as Thornton Wilder’s classic play. Brought to life by Dean College’s talented cast and creative team, The Skin of Our Teeth proves once again why live campus theater remains a vital and exciting cornerstone of our community.
To get a better pulse on how the production landed with student audiences, The Dean Daily sat down with Dean students Brooke Dinuccio and Molly Devine to hear their thoughts on the staging, the story, and the performances.
Everyone was excited as the production approached. Brooke stated that she was especially looking forward to that, as she knew many performers participating in the production and knew from the campus news that there was a lot of excitement before opening night. Molly had similar feelings, but she said she was unsure about what to expect from the show since she had never seen something like that before.
Certainly, the play The Skin of Our Teeth is well known for its unconventional story which spans thousands of years and sometimes confuses the first-time audience. When they were asked about how the story was presented in the production, both reviewers noticed that it seemed rather complicated at first glance.
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"I particularly liked how the story was told and how local the setting felt for Franklin and Boston areas," Brooke said, then added that it takes only a bit of research before the show in order to understand what the play is about. Molly agreed and added that "even though it seemed a little bit complicated at first, it was really well-organized."
One of the biggest talking points for any theatrical production at Dean College is the stage design, and this show was no exception. Rather than relying on rigid, traditional scene changes, production utilized dynamic shifting elements.
Brooke praised how the set pieces were rearranged right in front of the audience during Act I, offering a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at theatrical mechanics. "Once Act One starts, the set is the way it is. Once Act Two starts, the set changes, but you don't see the change, if that makes sense. So, I really appreciated that," she explained.
Molly highlighted the versatility of the staging, noting moments where actors actively helped shift the environment while other performers remained center stage, a bold staging choice she hadn't experienced in past campus shows.
When asked to rate the production on a scale of 1 to 10, both reviewers landed firmly on a 7, showering praise on the ensemble's dedication. Brooke highlighted the standout work of the lead actor Sophia Rekart, noting how fantastic it was to see familiar student peers stepping into major leading roles. Both agreed that the production comes with a strong recommendation, even for those who might not typically consider themselves "theater people."
Ultimately, The Skin of Our Teeth succeeds because it allows hardworking student artists to shine doing what they love most. It’s a brilliant reminder of the creativity thriving right here on campus.
If you were unable to see it, there are many more performances you can catch. We have the showing of Urinetown from November 11th to 15th, along with the New Thespian Showcase on December 5th and 6th both on the Main Stage. You can find all the ticket information at the box office website at https://www.dean.edu/box-office/
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