The Commercial Appeal - Go Memphis
GCT gives children a shot at ‘Grapes of Wrath’
Germantowncommunitytheatre has long been dedicated to reaching out to young people with various programs, and while there are plenty of activities for younger kids, there are also opportunities for teens to tackle some serious work.
This weekend, GCT’S All Children’s Theatre program is opening John Steinbeck’s classic “The Grapes of Wrath,” the searing look at a Depression-era family that flees the dust bowl of Oklahoma for what they hope will be a better life in California.
“We recognize that we need to provide at least one of our two summer shows for older actors,” says Michael D. Miles, GCT’S executive producer who is directing the production. “They can do some musicals at New Day Children’s Theatre and the Harrell Theatre, but they haven’t had a lot of heavy material to sink their teeth into. Last year we did ‘Inherit the Wind,’ and it was a success for the actors.”
This year, Miles read the script for “Grapes of Wrath” and felt it would provide a solid experience for the young actors. He got permission to make some changes appropriate for a younger cast and booked the show. “We love that time period,” he says. “The book isn’t taught as heavily as when I was in school, so I saw this as a way for the kids to take on a great work and learn something — doing the craft of dramatics and also finding out about American history.”
He said he was pleasantly surprised at the quality of auditions. Joey Echeverria, a home-schooled student, has performed with GCT before. “He can play the lead role of Tom Joad,” Miles says. “He had a wonderful arc of the character to struggle with.”
The matriarch of the clan, Ma Joad, is played by GCT newcomer Molly Yuan. “She’s 12 years old and blew me out of the water,” Miles says. “She’s a powerhouse and will bring you to tears.”
The production is getting top talent on the crew as well. Justin Asher, GCT’S associate producer, is doing the set design. “There are no walls or hard lines,” Miles says. “It’s all sheets and ripped pieces of fabric, dirty and dusty and with the lights subdued.” The sound designer is Jason Eschhofen who, Miles says, is using the ambient noises of a family on the road, hearing dogs and the wind and crickets to create the atmosphere. And for wardrobe, Miles asked Ashley Kopera to outfit the cast, fitting smaller bodies into 1930s-era costumes. The stage manager is Houston Newsome, a high schooler who Miles says is more than capable of handling those duties.
The summer productions are connected as well with the various summer camps GCT offers. The weeklong camps are generally for ages 6 through 18 and are typically themed to a play. This summer has already seen camps for “The Music Man” (the second All Children’s Theatre production next month is “Music Man Jr.”) and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Upcoming camps include “The Sound of Music,” “Newsies,” Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” and a Murder Mystery Improv — but the camps are in high demand, and the only availability is for “Where the Sidewalk Ends.”
“The Grapes of Wrath” runs June 24-July 3 at Germantown Community Theatre, 3037 Forest Hill Irene. Showtimes: 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $13; $9 for ages 17 and under. Info: gctcomeplay.org and 901-453-7447. gctcomeplay.org
WHAT THE DICKENS?!
Theatre Memphis’ production of “Oliver!” earns the exclamation point.
This is one gorgeous production, and cheers to scenic designer Jack Yates who again has put together a spectacular set. As director Jason Spitzer noted, a typical “Oliver!” production is mainly set in Fagin’s underground bunkhouse for wayward pickpockets, but the TM version makes savvy and fluid use of stairways, bridge arches, window frames and other elements gliding back, forth, up and down to glorious effect along with deft lighting to make 19th century London come alive.
Of course, it would mean little without a great show, and, happily, Spitzer delivers the story and Amy Hanford the choreography along with an able group of actors who bring the Dickens tale of the spunky orphan to life. There’s some delicious character work by Billy Pullen and Missy Handwerker, while the gifted duo of Lindsey Roberts and Justin Asher make a cute couple if your idea of cute couples comes from “Law & Order: SVU.”
Stealing the show, as befitting his character, is Robert Hanford’s ultraphysical Fagin, who struts, minces, ambles and sashays as he tends to his charges, inventories his loot, wheedles, charms, wisecracks and warbles through his scenes. The dance scenes are swell, but the ones with Hanford and his band of thieves are downright brilliant.
“Oliver!” runs through July 3 at Theatre Memphis, 630 Perkins Ext. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $30; $15 students. Info: theatrememphis.org and 901-682-8323.
WHAT THE DEVIL?!
Speaking of inspiration, it was made clear that it’s not at all the same thing as enthusiasm in the current production of “Sister Act” at Playhouse on the Square.
There was enthusiasm aplenty in the musical about a disco diva who sees her mobster boyfriend kill a snitch and has to run to a convent to avoid having her own lights turned out. The ensuing zaniness comes from the irrepressible Deloris trying to fit in with the gaggle of highly repressed nuns, and particularly the Mother Superior.
The cast gave it all they had, soloists tearing it up and the nuns wholly into it, and that was the saving grace. But the musical itself isn’t much to behold, with unmemorable tunes (and too many of them) jammed into a story that worked better on screen than as musical theater. Add to that some clunky comedic timing and almost unbearable sound glitches, and it was like sitting on a hard wooden pew.
It’s righteous, however, to give thanks for Claire D. Kolheim’s energetic turn as diva Deloris, Marc Gill’s suave take on Curtis, Jeanna Juleson’s firm hand as the Mother Superior and Sally Stover’s memorable evocation of Sister Mary Lazarus.
“Sister Act” runs through July 10 at Playhouse on the Square, 66 S. Cooper. Showtimes: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $35 Thursdays and Sundays, $40 Fridays and Saturdays, $22 Seniors/students/military, $15 Children under 18. Info: playhouseonthesquare.org and 901-726-4656.