The first act has began with the stage manager walking on stage, introducing himself as the director of this play and explaining the setting. The setting has took place in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire, which has been described as a small standard town just across the Massachusetts line. Six churches, a Train Station, the Polish town, a Town Hall and post office are combined with a jail in the basement and are within the Massachusetts line. He then focuses on the town's cemetery, which dates back to the seventeenth century. Also stating that nobody remarkable has been buried there. The time is an early morning on May 7th, 1901.

After the Stage Manager has described the setting he introduces the Webbs and Gibbs to the audience. The families that are the main characters of the play. Shortly after he has ended the introduction, the activities of the typical day...