The Seat of Our Pants

 The Seat of Our Pants
The Public Theater
November 2, 2025

Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The Seat of Our Pants is a musical adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth.  Ethan Lipton adapted the book and wrote the music and lyrics.  He maintains Thornton Wilder’s philosophical perspective, while extending the commentary on the theatrical form and pulling the references into the present day.  His music sets a peaceful, contemplative tone.  Some of his lyrics are taken directly from Mr. Wilder’s play.  His original lyrics take a deep emotional plunge into the heart of the characters.  Director Leigh Silverman beautifully sculpts this piece, allowing the colorful humor to smoothly blend into the darker, more pensive moments.  The cast skillfully makes these classic Wilder characters their own, heightening the impact of the events and intensify the timeless message. 

Act I - George & Mrs. Antrobus feed the Refugees
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

The story centers around the Antrobus family: George (played by Shuler Hensley), Mrs. Antrobus (played by Ruthie Ann Miles), their son, Henry (played by Damon Daunno), their daughter, Gladys (played by Amina Faye), and their housekeeper, Sabina (played by Micaela Diamond).  They survive the Ice Age in Act I, a biblical flood in Act II, and the Great War in Act III.  George Antrobus is constantly finding new ways to improve life.  He invents wonders such as the alphabet, numbers, and the wheel.  Sabina is a constant distraction to George, and a burden to Mrs. Antrobus, whose main focuses is keeping her family together.  Henry is troubled, full of anger and always fighting.  Gladys is eager to grow up.  Nothing stops them.  They continually move on, rebuilding life as they know it.   

Shuler Hensley & Micaela Diamond
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Ruthie Ann Miles is in constant control as Mrs. Antrobus.  Her song in Act I, “Stuff It All Down Inside,” clearly states the way she faces every challenge.  Shuller Hensley is gruff and grounded as George Antrobus.  He remains steadfast under all circumstances.  His moment of doubt in Act III is genuine.  He and Ms. Miles make a sincere connection in this scene, shifting the energy to a stunning conclusion.  Micaela Diamond is subdued as Sabina.  This works very well in the first act, then generates strong impact in the second.  She takes the lead in Act III, pushing the family to move on.  She closes the show with composed and candid direct address.  

Amina Faye, Ruthie Ann Miles, & Damon Daunno
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Amina Faye’s Gladys matures over the course of the three acts.  This growth is subtle, clear, and highly effective.  Damon Daunno is powerful as Henry.  His anger explodes in moments of rage.  The confrontation scene with his father in Act III is fierce.  He and Mr. Hensley do not hold back.  Their resolution takes place on a different level, commenting as actors portraying their roles.  His physical position in the finale makes a compelling statement. 

Act II - Atlantic City
Photo courtesy of The Public Theater

Andy Grotelueschen opens each act and speaks as the playwright in a “stage fight” section in Act II.  He is charming, warm, and welcoming, setting the tone for what lies ahead.  There are also impressive performances by Michael Lepore as the Telegram Boy, Ally Bonino as the Fortune Teller, and an amazing ensemble who keeps the pace tight and clean. 

The Seat of Our Pants is playing at The Public Theater through November 30.  If you are an admirer of Thornton Wilder’s original play, you will appreciate this musical adaptation.  It is a phenomenal production that will touch your soul and give you hope.  

Domenick Danza

The Skin of Our Teeth

 The Skin of Our Teeth
Lincoln Center Theater
at the Vivian Beaumont
May 12, 2022 

Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

The Lincoln Center Theater production of Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth is big, bold, and brilliant.  Director Lileana Blain-Cruz shrewdly juxtaposes the character interpretations, keeping the tension, conflict, and humor building throughout.  The third act rings with truth and relevance, as the actor are costumed in Civil War era attire.  Additional material by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins allows the direct address comments by the character of Sabina to be relatable to today’s audience.  The cast of twenty-eight works together as a tight ensemble, bringing this 1942 Pulitzer Prize winning three-act play to dazzling life on the Vivian Beaumont stage.  

Act I opens on Sabina (played by Gabby Beans), the housekeeper to the Antrobus family, preparing for Mr. Antrobus (played by James Vincent Meredith) to return from work.  We meet Mrs. Antrobus (played by Roslyn Ruff) and their two children, Gladys (played by Paige Gilbert) and Henry (played by Julian Robertson).  They are the perfect family, except for the alarming secrets they keep very well hidden.  Their existence is threatened by the ice coming from the north, moving everything in its path, and leaving people frozen in their homes.  They reluctantly open their home to a group of refugees in need of shelter and warmth, who help keep the fire burning as the ice approaches.  The world as they know it about to end.  

Roslyn Ruff, Julian Robertson, Paige Gilbert,
& James Vincent Meredith
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Act II finds the Antrobus family in Atlantic City among mayhem and merriment, during the convention of the order of mammals.  Mr. Antrobus declares “Enjoy yourself!” as the message of the day, while a Fortune Teller (played by Priscilla Lopez) predicts destruction by a great storm.  As Mr. Antrobus breaks the news to Mrs. Antrobus that he is leaving her for Sabina, the rain begins.  Mrs. Antrobus allows Sabina to escape with the family on a huge boat with two of each animal species.  They are prepared to start over. 

Act III is dark.  The war has ended.  The Antrobus family and Sabina have survived.  Gladys has a baby.  Mr. Antrobus and Henry return from war in serious dispute.  It is time to rebuild, yet Mr. Antrobus is tired and disheartened.  It will take community effort to restore the safety of their home if mankind is to endure. 

Gabby Beans as Sabina
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

From the minute the curtain goes up, Gabby Beans grabs the audience’s attention, and keeps them fully engaged and gleefully entertained for the full three hours.  Her Sabina is high energy and animated.  The tone of her direct address is distinctly different, setting up not only the humor in Mr. Wilder’s writing, but clarifying the device he employs throughout the play to punctuate his important messages.

James Vincent Meredith and Roslyn Ruff are strong and fearless as Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus.  They are fully in sync, especially when their characters are in dispute.  Ms. Ruff skillfully plays Mrs. Antrobus’ staunch determination with charm and appeal.  Mr. Meredith portrays Mr. Antrobus as a blustery, self-assured intellectual.  

Priscilla Lopez as The Fortune Teller
Photo courtesy of Lincoln Center Theater

Paige Gilbert and Julian Robertson are wonderful as Gladys and Henry Antrobus.  Their characters have a strong arc during Act I and Act II, and show tremendous growth and maturity in Act III.  Mr. Robertson delivers a heartbreaking moment in Act III that is truthful and genuine.  

Priscilla Lopez is mysterious, charismatic, and daring as the Fortune Teller.  Her character leads the narration in Act II, and Ms. Lopez skillfully brings the action to its well needed climax.

The Lincoln Center Theater production of The Skin of Our Teeth is running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater through May 29.  Don’t miss this production! 

Domenick Danza

Howard Sherman's Book, "Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s 'Our Town' in the 21st Century," is a Theatre MUST READ!

     Photo courtesy of Methuen Drama     

When I saw Howard Sherman’s book, Another Day’s Begun: Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” in the 21^st Century, I bought it immediately.  I started reading it right away, yet found myself taking breaks between chapters, prolonging it so it would last longer.  I didn’t want it to end.  It transported me back into the theatre, engaging me in the cathartic experience that I’ve been missing during this pandemic.

Mr. Sherman opens the book with a brief background on Thornton Wilder and the story of the development of Our Town.  It smoothly segues into “oral histories,” consisting of interviews with actors, directors, and producers who all worked on productions of Our Town between the years 2002 and 2019.  Mr. Sherman wisely chose a large range of artists and individuals in varied geographical locations for these interviews, allowing his inquiry to ring with a remarkable level of truth.  His inquiry is simple: How does Thornton Wilder’s Our Town hold up in the 21^st century?  The answer is that it holds up remarkable well across diverse populations.  The more profound arc of his discovery is the unraveling of what makes an American classic and how theatre in America reflect who we are. 

Photo courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers

A few years ago I conducted my own research on Thornton Wilder.  I read Penelope Niven’s biography on him (Thornton Wilder: A Life, HarperCollins Publishers, 2012).  It revealed a fascinating man.  He wrote seven novels, which I started reading, and countless short plays, some of which I was familiar with.  His writing is grounded in a unique philosophy based on his travels, studies, and encounters.  His only three full length plays were highly successful (Our Town, The Skin of Our Teeth, and The Matchmaker, which was adapted into the musical Hello Dolly).  He won the Pulitzer Prize in both fiction and drama (The Bridge of San Luis Rey in 1927, Our Town in 1938, and The Skin of Our Teeth in 1942).  His work communicates a strong belief in mankind’s ability to adapt and thrive.  

Mr. Sherman’s study of Our Town in the 21^st Century encapsulates the understanding of the unique brilliance of Thornton Wilder.  The effect of his work on diverse populations far transcends the life of the man and the writing itself.  Howard Sherman’s sharing of the oral histories in this book affirms how Thornton Wilder’s writing sends the reader and audience on an inner journey to self-discovery.  The documented experiences in this book allow the reader to assess their own individual point of view of their experience with Our Town, and deepen their personal insights.  This is why Mr. Sherman’s book is a must read.  It allows for a unique communal experience, which is very much needed in these isolated times. 

As we enter into a post-pandemic period, both with gratitude and trepidation, Howard Sherman’s Another Day’s Begun reminds us of how united we are as human-kind and how our own individual histories and points of view combine to define us as one culture.  This book is an intelligent and heart-warming exploration of how connected we are as a human race.  Buy it, read it, and do as I did, savor its journey. 

Domenick Danza

Sherman, Howard. Another Day’s Begun. New York, NY: Methuen Drama, 2021. 

Niven, Penelope. Thornton Wilder: A Life. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 2012.