33 actors in ‘Grapes of Wrath' top elaborate special effects

John Steinbeck's sprawling epic "The Grapes of Wrath" is way too big to confine to a stage, especially the modest stage in the Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater.

But TheatreWorks' production of Frank Galati's adaptation, under the sure hand of director Geoffrey Kent, captures the sweep of the story by squeezing "Grapes" down to the simple humanity at its core.

That's not to say the production isn't without its excesses. The amazing set, which is really too big for the space, burns with firepits, flows with a river and rages with torrential rains. The special effects are impressive.

Still, it's in the 33 actors and their portrayals of nearly 70 roles, where you'll find the most special of effects.

If you've seen the 1940 John Ford film or read the book (one of this year's selections for the All Pikes Peak Reads library program), you know the story: The Joad family, evicted from its home in the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma, travels to California - the Promised Land - hoping that its honest work ethic will build a new and better life. Act 1 is the journey.

Act 2 is the struggle for a place. With never a dull moment, scene changes whirl us across the country, accompanied by haunting original music from local blues man John-Alex Mason.

Every performance is pitch-perfect, from John Horn's Grandpa, a lovable old coot who lives the echoes of past wildness, to Ben Bonenfant's youthful wildness and smarts as Al.

Joe Kinnett is touching as Noah, the slow and "different" son, while Anna Moore is a radiant Rose of Sharon. Tom Paradise embodies a man of broken spirit in the difficult role of Pa.

Powerhouse Josh Clayton gives man of action Tom Joad intelligence and, at last, wisdom. Jim Casy, the former preacher who sees all too clearly, is played with heartfelt poetry by Sean Tarrant. But brilliantly underplayed, with simple dignity and stoicism, is Leslie O'Carroll's embodiment of Ma Joad, who holds the family and the play together.

The technical crew supports the actors well most of the time. There's an old truck on the set that's practically another character. The aforementioned set places the performances in a setting that will have you believing you're along on this arduous cross-country trek.

The lighting and sound effects are marvelous and atmospheric. Unfortunately, there are pivotal moments when characters are lost in the dimness. And the costumes, though perfectly chosen, are far too clean and new in the first act.

Still, this deeply moving production delivers on the whole big, wide human saga. See it and you'll understand why Blockbuster can never compete with live theater.

DETAILS
THE GRAPES OF WRATH BY THEATREWORKS

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 19, student matinees at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Oct. 14 and 16.
Where: Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Cragwood Drive at UCCS.
Tickets: $5-$25; 262-3232 or www.theatreworkscs.org.