<i>Our Town</i> Reincarnated: From Play to Opera—and an Interview with Librettist J. D. McClatchy

Abstract With music by Ned Rorem and libretto by J. D. McClatchy, Wilder’s classic American play was adapted as an opera, debuting in 2006. By comparing the libretto to Wilder’s original script, this article assesses the deletions, additions, and transformations McClatchy made, purely from a literary point of view. The retention of themes such as the passing of time and death, a religious outlook, and blossoming young love makes McClatchy’s libretto a faithful adaptation of Wilder’s play. Furthermore, the libretto generates more sympathy for the drunken choirmaster Simon Stimson. Following the article is a 2008 interview with McClatchy concerning many of the changes discussed in the article.