The Joads were poor in the first place, eking out a living on their family farm in Oklahoma. The Great Depression hit them hard. Their land turned to dust. With nothing saved and nothing to sell, they had no choice but to pack what they had and set out on a grim journey across the country. All their hopes lay in California.
In their story, "The Grapes of Wrath," John Steinbeck described the plight of migrant Americans as eloquently as any author has.Last year Steinbeck's Nobel Prize-winning novel became a Tony Award-winning play on Broadway. This year it's the opening offering for Pioneer Theatre Company's 1991-92 season.
"When we first started studying the script last spring I was struck by similarities between the 1930s and the situation now with the homeless," says David Deike, PTC's technical director.
The drama moved him, and it moved other members of the company. "We just wanted to become involved," he says. "And since it's a story about a family of travelers - Travelers Aid Society fit our criteria."
PMT staff decided to donate the proceeds from the traditional preview night production to the Travelers Aid Society. With the help of Junior League of Utah, they planned a reception and benefit performance.
An anonymous donor helped underwrite the production costs. Local companies donated food and printing services. When they contacted Frank Galati, the play's author, he volunteered to waive his royalties for this performance.
As a result, PMT can announce all proceeds from from the Tuesday, Sept. 17, performance of "The Grapes of Wrath" go to benefit Travelers Aid Society and their three separate homeless emergency shelters, for men, women and families.
Deike says, "With tickets selling for $30, we are hoping to generate $20,000 for Travelers Aid."
The reception begins at 7 p.m. and the play at 8 p.m. Call 581-6961 for reservations. All during the play's run, until Oct. 5, Katherine Durrans has a photography exhibit on the homeless of Salt Lake City in the theater's Loge Gallery.