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“Woody Guthrie’s American Song”

Woody Guthrie transformed his political fervor into powerful lyrics and music that blended heartfelt patriotism with a distinct sense of justice. That perspective comes shining through in “Woody Guthrie’s American Song,” opening this weekend at Palm Beach Dramaworks. Guthrie wrote such favorites as “This Land is Your Land,” “So Long, It’s Been Good To Know Yah,” “Nine Hundred Miles,” and “Bound for Glory,” along with darker songs like “DoRe-Mi,” “Hard Travelin’” and “Union Maid.” Conceived and adapted by Peter Glazer, with orchestrations and vocal arrangements by Jeff Waxman, this is a stage work that reads like a concert at times, with actors portraying Guthrie at various stages of his life.

“Woody Guthrie’s American Song”: Opens Friday at 8 p.m., with performances through Aug. 5. Tickets start at $55. Palm Beach Dramaworks, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Info: 561-514-4042 or www.palmbeachdramaworks.org

CONTRIBUTED CONTRIBUTED BY CLIFF BURGESS Pieces on display from the Morikami Museum’s “Unexpected Smiles” exhibition include this piece, Shunso Soshu’s “Demon Meditating,” a parody. See it and the museum’s “Edo-goma: Japanese Spinning Tops” through Aug. 5.