The Grapes of Wrath (opera)
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The Grapes of Wrath is an opera based on John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel of the same title. The opera was commissioned by the Minnesota Opera and co-produced with Utah Opera, with music by Ricky Ian Gordon and libretto by Michael Korie. The Minnesota Opera will open its world premiere of the opera on February 10, 2007, at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Utah Opera will open its run of performances on May 12, 2007, at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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[edit] Plot Synopsis
[edit] Scenes & Musical Sequences
Setting: Oklahoma, Southwestern America, and California in the mid-1930s
ACT 1 From Tom Joad's release from prison to burying grampa.
ACT 2 From truck stop to Noah's suicide
ACT 3 From Governent Camp to ending
Source - Minnesota Opera program.
[edit] Creative Team
Conductor Grant Gershon
Stage Director and Dramaturg Eric Simonson
Assistant Director Doug Scholz-Carlson
Set Designer Allen Moyer
Costume Designer Kärin Kopischke
Lighting Designer Robert Wierzel
Projections Designer Wendall Harrington
Sound Designer C Andrew Mayer
Choreographer Doug Varone
Assistant Choreographer Heidi Spesard-Noble
Wig Master & Makeup Tom Watson & Associates
Production Stage Manager Alexander Farino
Assistant Stage Managers Angie Spencer and Casey Martin
[edit] Minnesota Cast
Tom Joad, a released prisoner Brian Leerhuber
Ma Joad, family matriarch Deanne Meek
Rosasharn, Tom’s pregnant sister Kelly Kaduce
Jim Casy, a lapsed preacher Roger Honeywell
Pa Joad, a tenant farmer Peter Halverson
Uncle John, Pa’s brother Robert Orth
Granma, Pa and John’s mother Rosalind Elias
Grampa, her husband Dan Dressen
Noah, Tom’s slow-witted brother Andrew Wilkowske
Al, their younger brother Joshua Kohl
Connie Rivers, Rosasharn's husband Jesse Blumberg
Ruthie, their younger sister Maeve Moynihan
Winfield, their younger brother Henry Bushnell
Featured roles Theodore Chletsos, Anna Jablonski, Greg Pearson, Kelly Markgraf, Karin Wolverton
Chorus Kyle Albertson, Alison Bates, Kory Bickel, Karen Bushby, Andrea Coleman, Ben Crickenberger, Steve Dahlberg, Jennifer Eckes, Andy Elfenbein, Carole Finneran, Peter Frenz, Brandon Glosser, Tracey Gorman, Jamie-Rose Guarrine, Katherine Haugen, Michelle Hayes, Robin Helgen, Sandy Henderson, James Howes, Kathleen Humphrey, Ben Johnson, Tor Johnson, Brian Jorgenson, Roy Kallemeyn, Maggie Lofboom, Elizabeth Longhurst, Eric Mahutga, Tom Matchinsky, Eric Mellum, Cortez Mitchell, Edward Mout, Matt Neil, Janet Paone, Rick Penning, Nili Riemer, Steve Sandberg, Joy Scheib, Cathryn Schmidt, Robert Schmidt, Sandra Schoenecker, Joel Swearingen, Hugo Vera, Eric Vollen, Kevin Werner, Sarah Wigley
Supernumeraries Ashlee Fuss, Noah Gilbertson, Kenny Kiser, Kacie Riddle, David Ross, Alex Sundvall, David Wiles
[edit] Further Reading & Listening
The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck
Bright-Eyed Joy: The Songs of Ricky Ian Gordon, Nonesuch Records 79626-2
Harolyn Blackwell: Strange Hurt, RCA Victor 09026-61944-2
