The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Presents THE GRAPES OF WRATH, 10/21-11/15

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its fall season with the epic masterpiece The Grapes of Wrath by Frank Galati, from the novel by John Steinbeck.    The production is directed by Joe Discher, who directed the critically acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre production of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men in 2004.   The Tony Award-winning The Grapes of Wrath begins performances on October 21 and continues through November 15 at the Shakespeare Theatre Main Stage – The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. 

Winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize, the Steinbeck's majestic novel The Grapes of Wrath remains one of the most revered American sagas, detailing the Joad family's flight from the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression.   Its universal themes of perseverance, hope, love, and family unity in the face of adversity, have resonated for seventy years.  The stage adaptation by Frank Galati, won the Tony Award for Best Play and was called "an epic achievement" by Frank Rich of The New York Times.   The play, Rich wrote, "makes Steinbeck live for a new generation not by updating his book but by digging into its timeless heart."  The story of the Joad family's journey is a deeply affecting and inspiring portrait of American life and the American soul at a defining moment in our nation's history.
 
This production of The Grapes of Wrath was selected by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts as part of the American Masterpieces Series in New Jersey.   American Masterpieces is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts. 
 
In celebration of October's designation as Arts and Humanities Month, Bank of America is sponsoring the Bank of America Night at the Theatre on October 29th.   In recognition, all tickets for the 8 p.m. performance on October 29 will be 20% off regular ticket prices.
 
In addition, The Shakespeare Theatre's pre-show presentation, Know the Show, which begins at 7 p.m., will be offered free to ticket buyers, courtesy of Bank of America.   For each production, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular Know the Show program on the second Thursday of each run. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre presents a pre-performance talk that provides background information, and an insider's perspective on the production.  This Know the Show will feature Joe Discher, the director of The Grapes of Wrath.   Following Know the Show and during intermission, refreshments will be available to all audience members, courtesy of Bank of America.
 
"Our partnership with the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey reflects a Bank of America commitment to improving access to the arts," said Robert Doherty, president, Bank of America New Jersey.  "As we recognize National Arts and Humanities Month, we take great pride in helping strengthen the cultural vitality of the communities we serve."

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's production of The Grapes of Wrath features a cast of 24 actors and musicians, one of the largest casts ever assembled on The Shakespeare Theatre stage.   Shakespeare Theatre veteran Christian Conn returns to play Tom Joad.   Conn was seen at the Theatre in The Comedy of Errors, The Rivals, and The Blue Bird among others.   He recently appeared on Broadway in Desire Under the Elms and has been seen regionally at Syracuse Stage, The Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Indiana Repertory Theatre. 
 
Making his Shakespeare Theatre debut in the role of Jim Casy is Pearce Bunting.   Bunting appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia.  He also appeared in Julius Caesar and Macbeth at People's Light and Theatre Company. 
 
Longtime company member James Michael Reilly returns to The Shakespeare Theatre for his seventeenth season to play Floyd Knowles.  Reilly has been seen more than 20 productions at the Theatre including the Comedy of Errors, The Rivals, Merry Wives of Windsor and The Three Sisters among many others.  He was also a member of the Denver Center Theatre Company where he appeared in Glengarry GLen Ross, You Can't Take it With You, and All My Sons. 
 
Ma and Pa Joad are played by Shakespeare Theatre veterans Wendy Barrie-Wilson and John Little.   Wilson was last seen at the Theatre as Eunice in A Streetcar Named Desire.  She also appeared in Doubt at the Human Race Theatre as well as in the European premiere in Vienna.   Her Broadway credits include Our Town with Paul Newman and All My Sons.  John Little was last seen in Amadeus and also appeared in The Play's The Thing and The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Theatre.  He was recently seen in A Woman of No Importance at Yale Rep and Poetic License at NJ Rep.
 
Longtime company member Jim Mohr plays Gampa Joad.  Mohr's Shakespeare Theatre credits include The Winter's Tale, The Cherry Orchard and Of Mice and Men.  On Broadway, he appeared in the Tony Award-nominated play Buried Child directed by Gary Sinise.
 
The cast also includes Shakespeare Theatre veterans Michael Daly, James Patrick Earley, Jay Leibowitz and Nick Plakias.  Rounding out the cast are Jake Berger, Rebecca Davis, Jesse Easterling, Philip Guerette, Olivia Haleblian, Elizabeth Hess, Kate Ivins, Connor Dugan Leszczuk, Susan Maris, Bette Moore, Jack Moran, Tim Nicolai, Stefanie Resnick and Noah Verzani.
 
Associate Artistic Director Joe Discher directs The Grapes of Wrath.   Discher, in his 19th Season at The Shakespeare Theatre, directed the critically acclaimed 2004 production of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men.   He has also directed The Tempest on the Outdoor Stage, Amadeus, The Play's The Thing, Cymbeline and Galileo among many others.  For The Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, he directed Julius Caesar which broke attendance records, playing to 50,000 in three weeks.
 
During the run of The Grapes of Wrath, the Theatre will conduct a food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris County -- a non-denominational, non-profit organization helping Morris County families make ends meet by supplementing their monthly groceries in times of need.  Through its "Healthy Choices Program," the Pantry offers nutrition education and provides informative materials offering samples of healthy foods and recipes that use food pantry products in healthful ways.   The Pantry also tries to make holidays a little brighter for those in need by providing Thanksgiving food baskets and turkeys and December holiday foods.   Patrons are encouraged to bring non-perishable canned or boxed food items when they attend the Theatre for The Grapes of Wrath.  Items to be donaTed May also be dropped off at the Kirby Theatre from October 21 through November 15 during the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.   The urgent needs list for the Interfaith Food Pantry includes low or no-salt soup, low or no-sugar canned fruit, Parmalat and powdered milk.

Creating the world of The Grapes of Wrath are set designer Marion Williams, lighting designer Matthew Adelson, costume designer Maggie Dick and sound designer StEve Beckel.  Original music is by Nick Plakias and Rick Sordelet serves as fight director.  Josiane M. Lemieux serves as production stage manager.    
 
Single tickets for The Grapes of Wrath are now on sale and range in price from $30 to $54 depending on performance day and time.   Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season.   Single ticket prices include a $2 facility fee not subject to discount.    For tickets, call the box office at 973-408-5600, visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org or email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org.

Preview performances for The Grapes of Wrath are Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday, October 22 and 23 at 8:00 pm.   These Preview performances offer opportunities for reduced-priced tickets while enjoying the excitement of the very first performances in front of an audience.   As always, the first Preview performance is Pay What You Wish night.   Visit The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office between noon and curtain on October 21 and name your own admission price for that evening's 7:30 preview performance (regularly $30 to $34, offer subject to availability).
 
For no more than the cost of a regular ticket, three Symposium Series performances for each show include a post-play discussion with the cast and artistic staff.   Symposium performances for The Grapes of Wrath will be Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, October 31 and November 7 at 2:00 p.m.   
 
For each production, The Shakespeare Theatre presents the popular education program Know the Show. From 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., artists from The Shakespeare Theatre will present a pre-performance talk that provides background information and an insider's perspective on the production.  Know the Show will be held on October 29 at 7:00 p.m. In celebration of Bank of American's Night at the Theatre, admission to Know the Show for The Grapes of Wrath is free.  Reservations are recommended.   Also, tickets to that evening's 8:00 p.m. performance may be purchased separately at 20% off regular ticket prices.
 
The Saturday, November 7 at 2 p.m. performance will be audio described for those who are blind or have visual impairments.  Audio description enables patrons with visual impairments to hear, through an FM transmitter, a live description of the action on the stage.  A pre-performance sensory seminar is offered that allows patrons to feel props, costumes and set pieces to further enhance their live theatrical experience.   The service is offered free of charge.   Tickets for the Saturday 2 p.m. performance are $43 and $47. 
 
Closing the 2009 season is Shakespeare's Twelfth Night running December 2 through January 3, 2010.  Directed by Bonnie J. Monte, Twelfth Night is a shimmering confection – delightfully tart, ravishingly bittersweet and spectacularly frothy all at once.   It is a joyous show for the holidays and for families of all ages.    
 
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free.  The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the Theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors.   Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available.  Braille and large print programs are available.   Infrared listening devices are available free of charge.  Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted.  Contact the theatre for more information.   For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@ShakespeareNJ.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.
 
The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

To post a comment, you must register and login.