The Grapes of Wrath by LA Theaterworks audio

 by John Steinbeck
adapted for the stage by Frank Galati
a full cast audio performance
starring Jeffrey Donovan and Shirley Knight

from the website:
 About the play:
Based on the epic novel by Nobel Laureate John Steinbeck, starring Jeffrey Donovan and Shirley Knight. Set during the Great
Depression, The Grapes of Wrath tells the powerful story of the Joad family’s trek from the dust bowl of Oklahoma to the promise of a new life in California. But what they find threatens to rip apart their lives, and sever the ties that bind them together. Starring Shirley Knight as Ma Joad, Frank Galati’s heart-wrenching adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel finds its timeless heart in the generous spirit of the common man.


Cast:
Emily Bergl as Rose of Sharon
Michael Buie as Connie and others
Daniel Chacon as Al Joad
Maurice Chasse as Deputy Sheriff and others
Shannon Cochran as Mrs. Wainwright and Elizabeth Sandry
Trista Delamere as 2nd Narrator and Al’s Girl
Jeffrey Donovan as Tom Joad
Francis Guinan as Jim Casy
Shirley Knight as Ma Joad
Charlie Matthes as Willy and others
Rod McLachlan as Uncle John
Robert Pescovitz as Pa Joad
Joel Rafael as Car Salesman and Man with Guitar
Stephen Ramsey as 1st Narrator, Muley Graves and others
Nick Sadler as Agricultural Officer and others
Andy Taylor as Gas Station Owner and others
Floyd Knowles and Weedpatch Camp Director
Todd Waring as Hooper Ranch Bookkeeper and others
Fredd Wayne as Grampa, Mayor of Hooverville and others
Michael Weston as Noah Joad and others
Kate Williamson as Gramma and others
Live music performed by the Joel Rafael Band
Directed by Richard Masur. Recorded before a live audience at the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles in October, 2002.
Avaliable on: CD, Download, Playaway
ISBN for CD: 9781580812634
List Price for CD: US $25.95
2 CDs
118 minutes
Audio Adaptation

I downloaded this as part of the sync program from Audiofile Magazine.  It's to last to get this book for free but there are still a few more weeks of downloads. 

My Take:  This is my second title by LA Theater Works and I will have to admit that I liked the other title better.  I thought that the cast did an excellent job of acting out the play but I am use to listening to unabridged versions of books and not the plays.  I read this book a long time ago but I didn't remember there be as much language in it as was in this adaptation.  Of course I could be wrong.  I just thought that the production was  a bit short.  I did enjoy all the characters and I remembered the shocking ending when it happened.  I would recommend this if you are looking for a short audio and if you don't mind adaptations and abridged versions.  It does have a full cast and there is music. No big name actors in this production although other works do have recognizable names. 

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry - Audio Book of the Week

From Amazon.com:

A Raisin in the Sun is a seminal American drama and a heroic testament of hope. This new recording of Lorraine Hansberry s classic play, starring Rutina Wesley from the HBO hit series True Blood, chronicles a working class African American family struggling to maintain dignity in a harsh world. With her late husband s insurance money finally in hand, Mama Lena dreams of moving to a better home. However, her children have other plans: Walter Lee wants to buy a liquor store, and Beneatha wants to go to medical school. What happens when family dreams drastically diverge? A full-cast performance featuring: Judyann Elder, James Gleason, Noah Gray-Cabey, Corey Hawkins, Deidrie Henry, Terrell Tilford, Rutina Wesley and Mirron E. Willis.

My Take:  I received a copy of this La Theater Works  production as a part of Audiobook Jukebox's Solid Gold reviewer program.  I chose this title in August but did not receive it till last week.

I usually listen to unabridged books that are at least 8 hours long and have one reader.  It is nice to break up that every once in awhile with a drama that has a full cast and is about 2 hours long.  These plays have all of that covered.

The cast in this particular play bring the character's to life and you truly are routing that eveything will work out for this family.  I would  highly recommend this production to anyone but be aware there is some language. 

This play brought the truth fo the fact that family can hurt us the most by the words that are said.  After listening to this I am going to be more aware of the words I say..