Tobacco Road
by Jack Kirkland, based on the novel by Erskine Caldwell
May 21 - June 20, 2010
Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens
directed by Cecilie Keenan
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“Tobacco Road,” adapted by Kirkland from Eskine Caldwell’s 1932 novel, is the second-longest running drama in Broadway history having amassed 3,182 Broadway performances to its credit. When it subsequently toured the country, it was declared obscene in many places, including Chicago where it was closed down, but reopened after a lawsuit.
American Blues Theater is thrilled to revive this sharp, steamy, unrelenting, wickedly funny story in anticipation of the celebration of their 25th anniversary July 12, 2010. “Tobacco Road” examines the extreme lengths people will travel for survival. In a rural shack in Georgia during the Great Depression, the dysfunctional and desperate Lester family faces eviction from their own land. The patriarch Jeeter struggles to keep his farm’s deed, feed his starving family and arrange suitable marriages for his children despite no money, no seeds and no foreseeable way out. The Lester family shows brutally honest truths and emotionally shocking decisions, both outrageously humorous and horrifying.
The cast for “Tobacco Road” features award-winning ABT Ensemble members Matthew Brumlow (Dude), Kate Buddeke (Sister Bessie), Dennis Cockrum (Jeeter), James Leaming (multiple roles), Suzanne Petri (Grandma), Carmen Roman (Ada) and Gwendolyn Whiteside (Ellie May), along with Laura Coover (Pearl) and James Joseph (Lov). Joining director Keenan on the artistic staff are ABT Ensemble members James Leaming (scenic and lighting design), Lindsay Jones (sound design), and Lauri Dahl (dramaturg); ABT Artistic Affiliates Sarah Ross (costume and properties design), Marty Higginbotham (incidental music, choral director), Jaclyn Holsey (stage manager), Mercedes Rohlfs (assistant dramaturg), Steve Key (special effects), and Sarah Burnham and Brian Claggett (production support) Fight choreographer is Joe Foust.
American Blues Theater was founded in 1985. Between the years 1998-2009, the ensemble was known as American Theater Company. In 2009, the ensemble again embraced its original name, reforming as American Blues Theater and gearing up to celebrate 25 years as a stellar ensemble.
American Blues Theater is an ensemble of inherently collaborative theater artists. We re-envison great American Classics and reach out to the Chicago theater community to create new work that reflects our mid-western roots and celebrates the diverse American character. We dedicate each production to the working people of our region and partner with social service and community organizations.