Pittsburgh Opera recently announced the world premiere of the revised version of "The Grapes of Wrath," a new opera based on John Steinbeck's novel, by Ricky Ian Gordon and Michael Korie. Taking place at the Benedum Center for the Peforming Arts, "The Grapes of Wrath" will be performed on Saturday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, November 23 at 2:00 p.m..
The Grapes of Wrath follows the Joad family as they pursue the American Dream from Oklahoma to the orchards of California. OBIE-winning composer Gordon (Orpheus and Euridice, 2005) and Tony-nominated librettist Korie (Grey Gardens, 2007) fuse the traditions of opera and Broadway with blues, Appalachian music, and echoes of Copland and Gershwin.
Pittsburgh Opera's production reflects the substantial revisions Gordon and Korie have made to the score since the world premiere at Minnesota Opera in January 2007, including a reconfigured first act and expanded choral writing.
Richard Buckley takes the podium to lead members of the original Minnesota Opera cast, as well as former Resident Artists of Pittsburgh Opera in major roles: Craig Verm (Tom Joad), Sean Panikkar (Jim Casy), and Jason Karn (Al Joad). WQED's Anna Singer plays Granma. New to Pittsburgh are soprano Danielle Pastin as Rosasharn (a first-year Resident Artist making her company debut), Jesse Blumberg as Connie Rivers, and Metropolitan Opera mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Bishop as Ma Joad.
The cast of 19 soloists includes three children and an ensemble of bit players who - along with the impressive chorus - portray waitresses, truck drivers, politicians, field hands, and townspeople. The principal cast is: Danielle Pastin (Rosasharn), Elizabeth Bishop (Ma Joad), Anna Singer (Granma), Sean Panikkar (Jim Casy), Craig Verm (Tom Joad), Peter Halverson (Pa Joad), Robert Orth (Uncle John), Jesse Blumberg (Connie Rivers), Andrew Wilkowske (Noah Joad), Joseph Frank (Granpa), Jason Karn (Al Joad), Anna Jablonski (Mae, the Waitress), Greg Pearson, Theodore Chlestsos, Karin Wolverton, and Kelly Markgraf (The Ragged Man).
As co-producer of this inspiring new opera, Pittsburgh Opera presents The Grapes of Wrath in its innovative set by opera and Broadway designer Allen Moyer (Grey Gardens on Broadway; Pittsburgh Opera productions The Elixir of Love and The Flying Dutchman). Moyer uses a vintage Ford truck and animated front and rear projections by Wendall K. Harrington to portray the different locations as the Joads travel across Route 66 to California.
Director/dramaturg Eric Simonson, the Academy Award(R)-winning film and stage director who has also acted in The Grapes of Wrath theater production, has been involved with the work from the beginning. Director/ choreographer Doug Varone, who won a 2006 OBIE award for his work on Ricky Ian Gordon's Orpheus and Euridice, works with Simonson to create some of the most striking scenes in the opera.
Production credits include: Eric Simonson (original stage director and dramaturg), Doug Varone (original choreographer), The Minnesota Opera and Utah Opera (production), Richard Buckley (conductor), Ricky Ian Gordon and Bruce Coughlin (orchestration), Allen Moyer (set design), Karin Kopischke (costume designer), Robert Wierzel (lighting designer), Wendall K. Harrington (video designer), James Geier (wig and makeup designer),Chris Evans (sound designer), Mark Trawka (chorus master), Doug Scholz-Carlson (asst. stage director/flight choreographer), and Flying by Foy (aerial work).
