Perhaps Steinbeck’s most successful work, which won him the Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and figured predominantly in his winning the Nobel Prize in 1962, “The Grapes of Wrath” tells the story of the Joad family, who driven out of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl by drought and hardship during the height of the Great Depression travels to California in search of jobs and a better future.
Although written 80 years ago, the play, says director Michael Michetti, is “still profoundly relevant.”
Steinbeck wrote it after observing the life of migrant farm workers. In a letter to his friend Elizabeth Otis, Steinbeck wrote about thousands of families starving to death, “not just hungry, but actually starving… the states and counties will give them nothing because they are outsiders. But the crops in any part of this state could not be harvested without these outsiders.” It is no secret that our country faces similar problems today. The migrant families are not from Oklahoma this time, but they are still migrating in search of employment and better conditions.
Like the Joads, who lost their home and property, in the last few years our country has seen people lose their houses and struggle with unemployment. And like in the story, our society must realize the relevance of government involvement and the need for human kindness.
At A Noise Within, Galati’s adaptation features Steinbeck’s words almost exclusively, as well as live music that includes period hymns, Dust Bowl songs, and original works by Michael Smith written for the play’s original 1988 production. Galati won two Tony Awards for this adaptation and its direction on Broadway.
“The Grapes of Wrath” at A Noise Within is a thought-provoking production. It brings about the realization that, although time moves on, our society remains plagued by like issues. And it underlines the importance of looking beyond ourselves to help others.
It is delightfully performed, creatively staged, and thoroughly enjoyable.
"The Grapes of Wrath"
A Noise Within
3352 East Foothill Blvd,
Pasadena, CA 91107
Saturday, March 2, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 3, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 24, at 7 p.m.
Thursday, April 11, at 8 p.m.
Friday, April 12, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m.
Friday, May 3, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, at 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, at 8 p.m.
Price: $40 - $52
Special price for groups of 10 or more