Circle Players opens '10-'11 season with Galati's THE GRAPES OF WRATH

Circle Players opens its 2010-2011 season at The Keeton Theatre with Frank Galati's adaptation of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, running August 13-29.

Galati tells the story of the Joad family - three generations of desperately poor, but proud sharecroppers who leave drought-plagued Oklahoma for Central California in search of land, jobs and dignity in the 1930s. Galati wrote the play for the Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago two decades ago. It opened in 1988 and was later performed in London's West End and on Broadway in New York. In 1990, Galati won a pair of Tony Awards for adapting and directing the play.

Clay Hillwig, who directs Circle Players' production, predicts it will resonate with audiences because of the beautiful storytelling and the themes of the story.

"The Joad family lost their land to the banks, and so many families have experienced the same thing in the recent recession," he said. "That's why I think that this play will feel relevant to the audience."

Widespread foreclosures, unemployment, natural and economic disasters are the context for the show, but Hillwig said he wants to focus on the family's strength when all odds are against them.

"They are down to their last dime, but they pick up their belongings and take off in search of a better life. It's that spirit that I want to get across to the audience," Hillwig said.

The director acknowledged there may be people who find the idea of the story dark, but he said the show won't be a downer, thanks to its "artistic beauty" and plenty of live music that will be used to create atmosphere authentic to the era. In addition to a cast of 33 local actors, six musicians on and off the stage will play bluegrass and folk tunes to set the mood.

The set will feature a car that holds the 13-member Joad clan as they travel along Route 66. Set designer Jim Manning had to create the illusion of a family covering 2,000 miles, a river on stage that floods, and a camp of migrant workers.

As important as those physical trappings are to the production's success, though, Hillwig said he wants to bring across how genuine Steinbeck's characters are.

"I've lived in Oklahoma for 12 years. I know people like Ma Joad, hardworking, faithful people," he said. "I want the show to be true to life. I want the characters to feel real, not just like characters out of a story. The exciting thing is, my actors understand that."

In keeping with the theme of the show focusing on the plight of migrant workers, Circle Players will partner with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), a statewide organization that represents immigrants and refugees. It works to create an atmosphere in which newcomers are recognized as positive contributors to Tennessee society. TIRRC will benefit from a portion of ticket sales on Thursday nights (August 19 and 26).

As part of the collaboration, Circle Players will host a special event on Friday, August 6. "The Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck's Story on Stage and in Today's America" will feature a presentation of scenes from the play followed by a panel discussion about how Steinbeck's work relates to today's migrant workers. The hour-long program starts at 10 a.m. at the FiftyForward Donelson Station on 108 Donelson Pike. It is free and open to the public.  

The production runs Friday, August 13-Sunday, August 29, at the Larry Keaton Theatre, formerly known as the Senior Center for the Arts at 108 Donelson Pike. Show imes are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors ages 60 and up; children 6 and under attend free. All tickets are $10 on Thursdays. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased online at www.circleplayers.net or by phone at (615)-332-7529.

To post a comment, you must register and login.