Infamous Commonwealth Theatre closes their 2008-09 season dedicated to the topic Nature with Frank Galati's stage adaptation of John Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH, directed by ICT Artistic Director and Jeff Citation winner Genevieve Thompson.
NA·TURE (noun): native or inherent character: human nature; the instincts or inherent tendencies directing conduct: a man of good natureThe tale of the Joad family embodies the hardships suffered during the Great Depression and the transcendent generosity of human nature in the face of adversity. The natural world sets the events in motion during the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma and brings the journey to a hopeful end in California with massive floods. Ultimately, THE GRAPES OF WRATH is the story of a rising collective consciousness, a story of "we" instead of "I". In light of the country's current economic recession and call to action from a president newly elected on a platform of hope and change, the themes explored in THE GRAPES OF WRATH are arguably more relevant now than ever.Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1939 John Steinbeck novel and adapted for the stage by Frank Galati, THE GRAPES OF WRATH premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre in 1989, where it won Jeff Awards for Best Play, Best Director, Best New Adaptation and Best Sound Design. The production later transferred to London's West End and eventually Broadway, where it won Tony Awards for Best Direction and Best Play. Mr. Galati is a member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and an associate director at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. In 1989 he was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay (with Lawrence Kasdan) of The Accidental Tourist. Mr. Galati is an emeritus professor of performance studies at Northwestern University. In 2001, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.THE GRAPES OF WRATH production team consists of Annie Slivinski (assistant director), Alan Donahue (scenic designer/technical director), Tramon Crofford (props designer), Cade Wenthe (stage manager), Molly Gilbert (assistant stage manager), Rachel M. Sypniewski (costume designer), Stephanette Smith (lighting designer), Tom Haigh (sound designer), Paul Dunckel (dialect coach), Sarah Luse (production manager), and Sheena L. Young (dramaturg).
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