Tonight’s the night! The Grapes of Wrath will open on the Dietrich stage for a five-day run. Adapted by Frank Galati from John Steinbeck’s epic novel, join us for this community-based theatre production that will show the story of one farm family’s struggle to overcome the devastation of the Great Depression with humanity and dignity intact. Under the direction of Jennifer Jenkins Douthett, over forty actors, musicians, and crewmembers have been busy preparing for this stage show for months. I just love how music of that time period has been incorporated so well into the play and how the costumes the actors wear really do reflect the 1930’s. If you are interested in attending a performance, the curtain will open tonight, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00 pm and there will be one matinee show at 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 14. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased by calling us at 570-996-1500 or by visiting the Dietrich Theater ticket booth. On Thursday, March 11, Tunkhannock Area High School students will be attending a morning show of The Grapes of Wrath. We are so excited to have young people experience not only the work of one of America’s greatest authors, but to experience live theatre. 

In addition to the play, you should also check out the Dietrich’s new exhibit in the Earnshaw Gallery called “"The Great Depression: Our Lives in the 1930's". This exhibit is comprised of items of the ‘30’s, photos of Tunkhannock residents from that time, as well as memories of six Wyoming County residents who lived through the Great Depression. The exhibit transports you back in time from the old radios, to kitchenwares, toys, knickknacks, and so much more. On behalf of the Dietrich’s staff and board of directors, I would like to extend my thanks to all of you who made the exhibit possible. We are so appreciative of everyone who gathered stories and photos, loaned items for the display, and actually hung the exhibit. What a gift to the community!

Speaking of the 1930’s, the Dietrich will also be hosting a live show called “Determined Spirit: The Story of Amelia Earhart”. You are invited to join us on this sentimental journey on Sunday, March 21 at 2:00 pm. Actress and historian Monica Hoffman will perform as Amelia Earhart in this one-woman play that reveals the life and legacy of the world’s most celebrated female aviator. What a great way to learn about history! Tickets are $5 each and can be reserved by calling the Dietrich at 570-996-1500.

As well as theatre events and exhibits, the Dietrich is offering some fun classes for children. In particular, Anki, an educator from the Everhart Museum, is teaching a class called If You Build It at the theater each week in March. Eighteen students are learning how to build, draw, create and explore the world in three-dimensions. For their first class, students learned about the importance of design plans, and created their own design plans of the project they plan to build in the last two classes. They also explored the world of origami as they created origami cranes. At the end of the class series, students and their families will be going on a bus trip to the Everhart Museum in Scranton to visit the exhibit that inspired these classes entitled “Art of the Brick: LEGO Sculptures by Nathan Sawaya”. According to Anki, the sculptures in the exhibit are phenomenal. If you are interested in visiting this special exhibit on your own, it will be featured at the Everhart Museum until May 2, 2010.