Cast of Avengers to read the play Our Town to help aid Puerto Rico relief

October 20th 2017, 2:09pm

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

As you're probably aware, Puerto Rico has been devastated by hurricanes, leaving millions without food, homes, or shelter. Not only that, but you're probably also aware of the delayed benefit efforts it has been currently receiving. Well, if not, The John Gore Organization has, and it has announced a special benefit reading of Thornton Wilder’s classic play OUR TOWN at Atlanta’s iconic Fox Theatre, where all the proceeds will go to help Puerto Rico disaster relief.

The idea was spearheaded by Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow from the AVENGERS films), who will be joined by her Avengers castmates Robert Downey, Jr., Mark Ruffalo, and Chris Evans (alongside some other celebrity surprises), to perfom the play.

Here's what Johansson had to say about the event:

The struggle faced by Puerto Rican residents since their island was ravaged by Hurricane Maria is terribly heartbreaking and has left many feeling hopeless and helpless. It is a great privilege to be able to participate in whatever way I can, to provide some relief to those that are struggling to access even the most basic of human needs in the aftermath of this disastrous event. Please help me and my co-stars in coming together for an extraordinary, one-time-only evening to raise lifesaving funds for a devastated island and to help celebrate the true meaning of community with this unique reading of a great American classic.

But what is OUR TOWN anyway? Well, according to the official synopsis (on Wikipedia), it is a "metatheatrical three-act play that tells the story of the fictional American small town of Grover's Corners between 1901 and 1913 through the everyday lives of its citizens. Throughout, the play uses metatheatrical devices, setting the play in the actual theatre where it is being performed. The main character is the stage manager of the theatre who directly addresses the audience, brings in guest lecturers, fields questions from the audience, and fills in playing some of the roles. The play is performed without a set on a mostly bare stage. With a few exceptions, the actors mime actions without the use of props."

Honestly, that sounds pretty interesting – AVENGERS cast or not.

Meanwhile, tickets to OUR TOWN starring The Avengers go on sale Monday, October 23rd at 10:00AM ET, and can be purchased at FoxTheatre.org/OurTown, or by phone at (855) 285-8499, while the one-night only event will be held November 6th!