I brought my family to “The Grapes of Wrath” presented by Sacramento Theatre Company (through October 26th), partly because I know my son will read the book in his English class in the future, and partly I knew Kurt Johnson of B Street Theatre was in the play. I haven’t read the book (shame shame) but read John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men and East of Eden and liked his gridy storytelling style. We caught a little bit of pre-show talk by Kirk Blackinton (who plays Tom Joad), and he told us that this play is still relevant in the present day where the living minimum wage is being argued and agricultural fields are still supported by migrant workers. Without even being reminded, during the scene where the Joad family arrived to the labor camp, I immediately thought about the current labor camps in California. My son actually volunteered for a summer school for kids from these labor camps this year and saw how much challenges these kids face first hand. They had a field trip to a movie theatre and for many kids, this was their first time going to a movie theatre, but I digress…
This production is directed by Michael Stevenson (another B Street Theatre actor) and accompanied by two musicians who play a few different characters in the play also. I really liked this approach, as the story gets heavy but with a live music, regardless of the tune, the atmosphere softened a little bit and felt more organic. The multi layered stage was designed by Kelly James Tighe, and the wooden structures covered the walls remind you about being uprooted families and memories.
I was very impressed by charismatic Kirk Blackinton (Tom Joad) who reminded me of young Gary Sinise (who played George in Of Mice and Men film) sometimes. His dialogue about he would be there where there is a fight against injustice was powerful. Kurt played Jim Casy, an ex-preacher, and my son said one of the memorable scenes for him was between Tom and Jim talking about Jim’s revelation/realization in the wilderness. I thought Laura Kaya as Ma Joad portrayed the Matriarch of the family well throughout the play.
This play is about hardship, cruelty, injustice, but it has a hope for humanity in the end. I highly recommend it because it’s still relevant today.
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