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Fairfield Footlighters to stage 'The Grapes of Wrath'

Ron Mason (as Tom Joan) talks with Kevin Noll (as the preacher) during a May 18 dress rehearsal of The Fairfield Footlighters’ presentation of “The Grapes of Wrath.” The play opens today, March 21.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Ron Mason (as Tom Joan) talks with Kevin Noll (as the preacher) during a May 18 dress rehearsal of The Fairfield Footlighters’ presentation of “The Grapes of Wrath.” The play opens today, March 21.

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 5:12 AM Friday, May 21, 2010

FAIRFIELD — Even before it opened, “The Grapes of Wrath” was already squeezing talent from the Fairfield Footlighters.

The play, which opens today, May 21, and runs the next two weekends at the Fairfield Community Arts Center, might not seem the type that would lend itself to a lot of special effects.

After all, it’s based on John Steinbeck’s classic 1939 novel about the Joads, a family of sharecroppers who lose their land and seek jobs in California amid the “Dust Bowl.”

However, that very setting required the set builders to construct a river onstage. And that’s not as simple as pouring water on the stage

“The set is quite immense. There’s also a river, special effects and lighting, We built the set 2 feet off the stage floor,” producer Darlene Feldmann said.

On top of all that, the Footlighters have assembled one of its largest cast, with 23 actors, some of whom are playing multiple roles, Feldmann said.

Coby Osborne is a Footlighters veteran, having appeared in a number of shows during the years, but “Grapes” marks the first time he has directed.

“It’s very difficult for the first time I’ve directed ... we have one guy doing five little roles. The hardest part was casting all the roles,” Osborne said.

But the challenge prompted Osborne to be imaginative with the casting. Ron Mason of Finneytown, a black man, plays the lead role of Tom Joad, a role made famous be Henry Fonda.

“He does it so well you don’t see the color,” Osborne said.

And the current economic downturn also makes the story’s Depression-era setting hit home powerfully, said the director.

“Even if you pack up and move across the country, that’s an exciting and scary time for everyone,” said Osborne.