THE GRAPES OF WRATH Opening Night: "Wow!"

"This is a play everyone deserves to see," one audience member said as ZACH Theatre's opening of THE GRAPES OF THE WRATH came to a close. The audience poured out into the lobby for a champagne reception and the word on everyone's mouth was "Wow!"

The reflective faces turned joyous as the cast and crew made their way to the reception, and everyone involved with the production knew they had put something on stage that was truly special.

It was a Saturday performance that many of our Twitter followers are still talking about Monday morning, and the audience reached a clear consensus: This show came to life at the perfect time, with the perfect cast and at the perfect place -- ZACH.

ZACH's Artistic Director, Dave Steakley, knew this production would be a hit in the Austin community. "Steinbeck's beautifully constructed language marries the simplicity of the common man's earnestness to the progressive ideas of how to create change that impacts a family, a community and a country."

The spirit of charity was felt by all as the collection box for Mobile Loaves and Fishes filled up with donations to benefit the Austin community. As Tom Joad says in the play, “Maybe I can do somethin' ... maybe find out what it is that’s wrong and see if they ain’t somethin' that can be done about it. Maybe it’s like Casy says, 'A fellow ain’t got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul, the one big soul that belongs to everybody. Wherever there’s a fight, so hungry people can eat, I’ll be there.'"

THE GRAPES OF WRATH Cast And Crew Reach Out to the Austin Homeless Community

Last night was the first performance of THE GRAPES OF WRATH, and, during the performance, a collection point benefiting Mobile Loaves and Fishes was set up by the door. The audience was fantastic and very generous, but there's still weeks of work to be done ...

From the onset of this production, ZACH Theatre's Artistic Director Dave Steakley worked to make sure Austin's "least among us" homeless community was not forgotten. Early on, Steakley directed the cast to join the estimated 3,625 homeless individuals in Austin to prepare for the show -- about the struggle of a Depression-era family that became homeless after fleeing their dust covered farm in Oklahoma for work in California.

From Dave Steakley's Director's Notes: "We have a lot of Austinites who sleep out on the streets at night and don’t always know where their next meal is coming from. Judy Knotts, an angel in our community who works as a volunteer serving homeless citizens, tells me one of the big issues for our homeless friends is the loss of identity, the lack of eye contact that ‘persons with means’ make with a homeless person, and the consequent loss of dignity. It can be out of fear or guilt or irritation that we don’t engage a homeless person. THE GRAPES OF WRATH reminds me that we are all a part of this community and we have a responsibility to act with compassion to everyone who calls Austin home."

ZACH Theatre's collection point for Mobile Loaves and Fishes will be at all THE GRAPES OF WRATH performances, and collections will go directly to benefit the the Austin homeless community.

Suggested items needed right now include:

• Sun screen and chap stick, small travel sizes.
• New baseball style caps.
• New briefs or boxer shorts for men.
• Spring clothes, tee shirts for men or women, new or gently used blue jeans.

Visit ZACH's web site to find a list of other suggested donations, such as blankets, socks and food items, when you buy tickets for the show.

Free MP3 Downloads: A Sneak Peek Into THE GRAPES OF WRATH's Live Musical Score

ZACH Theatre opens THE GRAPES OF WRATH this weekend.

The stage adaptation of John Steinback's masterpiece uniquely incorporates music into the play -- and, of course, ZACH's adaptation has musical flair that is uniquely Austin.

The music, under the direction of Allen Robertson, (one of the creative duo in "The Biscuit Brothers"), punctuates the dramatic action with orchestrations inspired by music of the 1930's. Sometimes it is just a vocal accapella or harmonizing with other vocals or simple underscoring from a guitar, accordion or a traditional instrument like a saw.

Powerful, emotional moments in ZACH's production are underscored by stirring renditions of traditional hymns like Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior (MP3 downloads are below). There is also a wonderful comic song in which used car salesmen, led by John Pointer, try to unload their old wrecks by taking advantage of the poor "Okies" who were fleeing for California.

But you don't have to take our word for it. Here are a couple tracks from the show to wet your whistle:

Pass Me Not O Gentle Savior

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Stay tuned, we'll be posting more MP3s from THE GRAPES OF WRATH throughout its run.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH performances begin at 7:30pm tonight, and opening night's champagne toast is this Sunday after the show. During opening week, you can buy one ticket and get a second ticket free by calling our box office at (512) 476-0541, ext. 1, and mentioning ZACH's Z News blog.

Austin Theatre Brings Economic Realities to Life

Stocks plummet, jobs are lost, a million publications report the bad news. But leave it to Austin to address current economic hardship with a wonderfully crafted, epic performance of John Steinbeck's THE GRAPES OF WRATH.

For many Austinites, it doesn't take a newspaper to tell them that times are rough. Talking with their families about job loss and this generation's financial struggles, however, might require a different, more relatable teaching tool. ZACH Theatre began its timely production of THE GRAPES OF WRATH for precisely this reason.

"I had some sense that economically we weren't going to be in the same position as a nation that we were in last year," Dave Steakley, ZACH's artistic director, said about adding THE GRAPES OF WRATH to 2009's production schedule. "We always experience economic change during the year of a Presidential election of some kind," he said, "although I didn't know we would find ourselves in a set of circumstances that would begin to mirror what Americans were experiencing in the 1930's."

THE GRAPES OF WRATH tells the story of the Joad family amidst the backdrop of 1930's America. The Joads didn't envision America's bread basket suddenly turning into a dust bowl, and during their trip from their dust-covered farm in Oklahoma to California the Joad's 11-member family dwindles to only four members in the final scene.

Family is at the heart of THE GRAPES OF WRATH production. Audience members will find themselves inspired by the sacrifice, charity and ultimate redemption of the Joad family's journey that celebrates family, determination, love and hope.

If nothing else, THE GRAPES OF WRATH will provide families with a way to talk about tough times with teenagers and young adults who might be experiencing a financial downturn for the first time in their lives.

THE GRAPES OF WRATH begins tomorrow and plays through May 10 on ZACH's Kleberg Stage. Tickets are available online.

Richard Garriott's EXTREME VOYAGE plays to packed houses on ZACH's Whisenhunt Stage

Austin video game designer and former ZACH Board Member, RICHARD GARRIOTT, gave two fascinating talks about his trip in to space and work on the International Space Station. As audiences arrived he personally greeted them, answering questions about items that were on display from his personal collection. Then, they were treated to a two hour presentation of his accounts of space travel including never before seen video. An audience Q&A rounded out the evening answering such questions as "is it cold or hot in space?" and "what happens when you strike a match in space?" Children and adults alike were enthralled and one patron remarked ... "I just love the variety you get at ZACH Theatre!"



Richard Garriott describes some hidden features of a NASA space suit from his personal collection!

Richard with Miles MacLaughlin, son of Elaine and Brian MacLaughlin. Miles gave Richard a drawing he made of a spaceship getting "ready for take-off" which Richard took in to space. Here Richard is giving the "space blessed" drawing back to Miles and Miles is exchanging it for a new drawing for Richard.
























Future Astronaut, Miles MacLaughlin, proudly stands next to Richard's space suit.

Richard shares personal stories of his space travels with audience members upon arrival.




Richard amidst a packed house at ZACH's Whisenhunt Stage.

BEEHIVE Thrills Packed Houses Opening Weekend! Farewell Performance Run Begins!

It’s here! The biggest musical hit in ZACH’s 75-year history opened this weekend for its Farewell Performance run. This performance will absolutely be the final opportunity to enjoy ZACH’s original BEEHIVE cast members Rebecca Schoolar, Laura Benedict, Judy Arnold and Andra Mitrovich in the show that made ZACH history. New to the cast this season are Amani Dorn and Noellia Hernandez, familiar to audiences from their roles in ZACH’s recent productions of SEUSSICAL and CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. All of these ladies ignite the stage with performances that will have you cheering throughout the show.

Directed by Dave Steakley, BEEHIVE opened on New Year’s Eve 1992-93, and became an instant hit. I remember audiences pouring out of the theatre on their way to ZACH’s post-show New Year’s Eve party so jazzed that they said “let’s do that again!” The production quite simply blew their socks off. It certainly set the tone for a raucous party that night and for an exciting decade and a half to come for musical theatre at ZACH.

BEEHIVE is a heartfelt tribute to the girl groups and individual artists who skyrocketed to fame between the years 1960-1969: The Shirelles, The Supremes, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Lesley Gore, Aretha Franklin, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner, and Janis Joplin. ZACH’s amazing cast of singers – who raise-the-roof with one chart topping hit after another – has made BEEHIVE an enduring favorite with audiences for over 16 years!

And, you’re in for a treat. Dave Steakley, the cast, and creative team have done it again. The 2009 edition of BEEHIVE is more fun than ever! With period-perfect choreography, stellar voices, a rockin’ band, and those “higher the hair, closer to God” wigs by Willa Kaye Warren, BEEHIVE delivers an experience that will have you saying “let’s do that again!”

And, it seems the word is out, because performances are already filling up. It’s probably best not to wait if you want to get good seats. There are only 18 performances in the run. And, many folks are coming in groups to party together, – yeah, it’s that kind of show. So come – bring your spouse, date, partner and friends. ZACH offers discounts for groups of just 8 or more. BEEHIVE is tremendous fun and will get your 2009 to a great start. Don’t forget to tell your friends so they can share in the fun too!

If you attended opening weekend, please share your experience!

We are also having a ZACH Theatre TweetUp this Wednesday, January 21 at Paggi House from 5-7pm. Several of the BEEHIVE cast will be there, and a few other ZACH staff. We’d love to meet you – so come on out and say hi!

– Jim Reynolds, ZACH Marketing Director
photo by Kirk R. Tuck

Caroling for Charity

This was ZACH's eighth year of participating in the annual Chuy's Children Giving to Children Parade. The parade has become an Austin holiday tradition with thousands of Austinites lining Congress Avenue to see everything from miniature ponies to live local talent. Each year ZACH sends the cast of our holiday show Rockin' Christmas Party to be part of Santa's float at the end of the parade. Singing some of the seasons most popular carols really kicks the holidays off right!

This year, the parade succeeded in not only meeting its goal of collecting 30,000 toys for Austin children, but it exceeded it! 32,027 toys were collected on the morning of November 29, and the children of Austin will have overflowing stockings. The magic of the holiday season is upon us and it's important to remember those less fortunate.

Put Some Rockin' in Your Stockin'

ROCKIN' CHRISTMAS PARTY, Austin's Rockin' Holiday Tradition is Back with New Songs and a Sportin' New Cast Addition! ZACH Artistic Director Dave Steakley shares his thoughts on ZACH's 2008 Edition of this Austin hit ...

"Rockin’ Christmas Party was inspired by a concert I saw at NYC’s Bottom Line nightclub, that starred Sonny Bono, Darlene Love and Ronnie Spector of the Ronettes in a live recreation of the 60’s Phil Spector “girl group” holiday album. When Rockin’ debuted at The Paramount Theatre in 1993 we performed Darlene Love’s huge holiday hit Christmas, Baby Come Home, that she performs annually on David Letterman’s show. Andra Mitrovich sang that song for us the first year, and she is singing it for us again this year in its return.

This season focused on CHANGE creates the opportunity for me to include a song I have been wanting to do for a long time. In 1989 I saw Dionne Warwick perform with Johnny Mathis at Radio City Music Hall, and Ms. Warwick performed a song that was popular at that time by Michael Jackson called “Man In The Mirror”. It seemed like an odd pairing of performer and song, until she began to sing it and I heard the extraordinary beauty of these lyrics for the first time with her sensitive and thoughtful rendition.

It has stuck with me all these years and now Cedric Neal (pictured here) ZACH’s extraordinary Sportin’ Life in Porgy & Bess, along with the cast will bring this version of the song to you and I think you’ll agree the moment is right for this one. Like Ghandi’s famous quote, the song invites us to be the change we want to see in our world. These times call for our individual empowerment to make thoughtful changes for the future.

After several seasons “Silent Night” returns, a favorite Christmas carol of Rockin’ audiences. This song has always provided a wonderful showcase for the vocal powerhouses who make Rockin’ what it is. The cast and I see this song as our appreciation to you for the many years of your generous patronage, and our heartfelt wish that you and yours will enjoy a beautiful and loving holiday season. Happy Merry Jolly!"

Rockin Christmas Party Opens Thanksgiving weekend and runs thru January 4, 2009 on ZACH's Stage at Riverside Dr. & S. Lamar.
Look for the cast singing live in the Chuy's Children Giving to Children's Parade on Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 29 10:30 am - 12 noon

ZACH Has a New Elf in the House!

ESPIE RANDOLPH of ZACH's Shear Madness and Austin's Esther's Follies Stars as The Little Macy's Elf this Season!

We thought you might like to ready the director's notes for THE SANTALAND DIARIES opening Thanksgiving weekend at ZACH Theatre. Director Dave Steakley says ...

"Austin’s love affair with writer David Sedaris is nothing short of rapturous! There is something about his offbeat, irreverent humor which connects deeply to our citizens on a primal, funny bone level. If you have ever gone to one of the annual readings that Sedaris does in Austin, you know what I mean. Almost every line is met with gales of laughter, prolonged cheering and thunderous applause. It also happens when Margaret Cho and Kathy Griffin are in town -- these evenings become events not to be missed.

Austin, in my opinion, has the greatest audiences in America. I think the live music scene and the contagious fervor at UT Longhorn games has trained us to respond with our full enthusiasm regardless of the arena in which we find ourselves -- whether in a concert hall or at the Broken Spoke, Austinites let you know how they are feeling. It is the thing I cherish the most about making theatre in Austin. ZACH’s Santaland is a glorious celebration of the Austin audience.

In a season devoted to CHANGE, I am delighted that Espie Randolph, an endlessly inventive and funny Austin actor, is joining us this year for his first time as the little Macy’s elf. To my knowledge he is the first African-American actor to ever play this role -- perhaps a timely change -- but really for me it was about finding the funniest person I know to take on this Austin tradition. However, if you are a returning Santaland fan you are going to find several new humorous discoveries because the lens through which we experience Sedaris’ humor has changed. I love it when that happens. The opportunity to experience something well known through Espie’s fresh perspective is a gift. And it is our good fortune that Meredith McCall and Jason Connor join Espie to whip up the merriment for their 11th rib-tickling year! Have a great time!"

Tickets for the show are available online or call ZACH's box office at 476-0541, x1.

This is the Week to See CAROLINE, OR CHANGE

NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE ... 'CAROLINE, OR CHANGE' that is.

ZACH Theatre's production has wowed the critics and audiences have loved the show. “Immaculate ... A brilliant opening to ZACH’s 2008-09 Season of Change!” –The Austin Chronicle

Many saying this is among the best productions that ZACH has ever produced. With the historic election this week, CAROLINE has greater resonance than ever. If you're wondering what I mean, I suggest you see the musical for yourself. It is a truly remarkable reflection on an amazing time in our country's history as seen thru the lens Tony Kushner of one of America's greatest playwrights.

But you need to hurry. This is the FINAL WEEK for ZACH's production which closes on November 9th. Ticket prices have been set so that price shouldn't be a barrier to seeing the show. You can get in for as low as $25! Join us this Friday, Saturday at 8 pm or Sunday at 2:30 and 7:30. For tickets call 476-0541, x1 or go online.

In the meantime, here's a sampler of the fabulous voices in the show....