Friday was opening night for the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s performance of John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, as adapted by Frank Galati. Share the journey through April 29th. The Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, in it’s 18th season, is an inviting experience for all. The small theatre, which only about 15 seats across, is warm and intimate and allows the audience to feel like they are part of the production! Tickets range from $22 to $32, and performances are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sundays. There is a content advisory for The Grapes of Wrath and the theater’s website warns of water vapor hazing, gunshots, brief nudity, and language that may be considered offensive to some so this is definitely a show for adults only.

The Grapes of Wrath is a classic tale about the Joad family whose farm was repossessed after barely surviving the drought in the 1930s. Making their way across the country towards the promised land of sunny California demonstrates the tenacity of these hardworking people. Today, the audience viewing this play, are likely to feel a connection to Steinbeck’s fascination with the disadvantaged and oppressed people in society. Although there seems to be improvement, the last few years have been incredibly difficult for some and the reminders that this tough way of life has been overcome before is inspiring.

Frank Galati, a winner of two Tony Awards for his work on The Grapes of Wrath, is well known for his direction in Homebody/Kabul, Ragtime, The Drawer Boy, The Accidental Tourist, and The Tempest. According to Steppenwolf.org, Galati has also received a Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award, two Joe Callaway Directing Awards, the Los Angeles Ovation Awards, the NAACP Theatre Award, Toronto’s Dora Mavor Moore Award, nine Joseph Jefferson Awards, and an Academy Award.

Watch an interesting commentary from Galati about his incredible work with The Grapes of Wrath here.