The Stage Manager dismisses the two women and asks Professor Willard to interject some historic data. The professor begins as far back as prehistory with tedious, pedantic details and works his way forward. He misstates the population as 2,640 because he is unaware that Doctor Gibbs has delivered two babies. The Stage Manager then calls on Editor Webb to report the social and economic status of the town. Webb is momentarily delayed because he cut his hand while eating an apple. During Mr. Webb’s account, he notes that Grover’s Corners is composed of mostly lower-middle-class people who are eighty-six percent Republican and eighty-five percent Protestant. He concludes that life there must be satisfying because ninety percent of the young people settle in their hometown. When he finishes his comments, the Stage Manager asks if anyone in the audience wants to ask a question. One woman wants to know if there is much drinking. A belligerent man asks if there is any culture in the town. The editor tells them that there is not much drinking and that no one is much concerned about social injustice. Culture, he declares, is limited in Grover’s Corners.
The Stage Manager’s narrative then jumps forward to early afternoon, as Emily is coming home from school. George hurries to catch up with her. He suggests a communication system from her window to his so that Emily can help him with difficult algebra problems. He freely acknowledges that she is naturally bright. When they reach Emily’s home, George leaves for the baseball field. Emily, while joining her mother in stringing beans, asks if her mother thinks Emily is pretty. Mrs. Webb assures Emily that she is pretty enough for normal purposes.
The Stage Manager returns and lists the items that will be enclosed in the cornerstone of the new bank. He intends to include a copy of the play as a message to people a thousand years hence of how residents grew up, married, lived, and died. In the distance, the Congregational Church choir sings “Blessed Be the Tie That Binds ” Meanwhile, two ladders, representing the second stories of the two houses, are moved onstage. George and Emily mount the ladders. George calls to Emily for help with a math problem. She gives him some hints. She also points out how wonderful the moon is.
In the background, Simon Stimson, the choir director, asks how many people can sing at Fred Hersey’s wedding. Back at the Gibbses, the doctor calls to George and describes how his mother had to chop firewood because George has been shirking his chores. The doctor promises to increase George’s allowance to fifty cents a week because George is getting older. He implies that George must take on more responsibility by helping his mother. Mrs. Webb and Mrs. Gibbs return from choir practice. Mrs. Soames, who accompanies them, complains about Simon’s drinking. Mrs. Gibbs explains that Dr. Ferguson is aware of Simon’s dependency, yet keeps him on as organist. The rest of the congregation has little choice but to look the other way. Mrs. Gibbs returns home. Her husband complains that she is later than usual and accuses her of gossiping. She replies that Simon Stimson was very drunk at choir practice, and that she wonders how long Dr. Ferguson can continue to forgive him. Doc Gibbs, who indicates that he knows the inside details of Simon’s problems, observes that some people are not made for small-town life.
At 9:30, Bill Warren, the town constable, comes by and greets Mr. Webb. He notes that Simon Stimson “is rolling around a little ” Simon strolls unsteadily down the street; he passes both men without speaking. Mr. Webb asks Bill to help stop George from taking up smoking. The constable says goodnight and departs.
Mr. Webb notices Emily in the upstairs window. He tells her goodnight and goes into the house. Across the way, George Gibbs and his sister are looking out the window. Rebecca comments on the minister’s unusual method of addressing a letter to Jane Crofut. Then the Stage Manager appears and announces, “That’s the end of the First Act, friends. You can go and smoke now, those that smoke ”.
