Buffalo Theater: Performances run Oct. 15-Oct. 31

Name of Play: Tobacco Road

Where will it be performed? American Repertory Theater of WNY/Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo

What are the performance dates? Oct. 15-31, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m; Saturdays at 5 p.m.; Pay-What-You-Can Thursday Performances; $25 general admission; $15 industry and students (only at door)

Playwright: Jack Kirkland’s stage adaptation of Erskine Caldwell’s novel of the same name.

Director: Matthew LaChiusa (who provided the subsequent information, unless otherwise noted).

Lead actors: Nate Chateau, Kaylie Horowitz, Danette Pawlowski, Andrew Brown, Trevor Dugan, Emily C McDonnell, Sadie Everhart, Mark Tramont, Ian F. LaLonde, Margo Davis.

Production Team: Sheri Santi, Ann Perno, Stefanie Warnick, Charles McGregor, Suzanne Hibbard, Jason Stopinski and (making her debut as costume designer) McKenzie Gilmore.

The story: This is story of the self-inflicted trials and tribulations of the Lester family in 1930’s rural Georgia. Levity and sensuality meet austerity & delusion in the struggles facing this family as the hopes and aspiration of a new world lets go of an old one. Although the work was first performed in 1933 and ran an astonishing 3,182 performances (the second longest running Broadway play to date), the narrative speaks to a modern audience.

What makes this play special and why did you decide to do it? I chose “Tobacco Road” after reading the novel, then took on the play. I was looking for something that had a Southern Gothic edge to it. Once I started with both the novel and play, I found a sense of humor to these characters to counter the bleakness. Not caricatures, as found in John Ford’s crappy 1941 film, or “Little Abner,” but people finding the irony within their situation. It’s hopeful in truth.The play is described as a dark-comedy but the comedy is based on the natural, realistic reactions to a specific situation and not trying to be funny. You will find yourself chuckling at the reactions of these characters because their response is so real to the moment. I’m just blessed to have a great ensemble that understands this balance.

Irony and even hypocrisy are found throughout most of the characters of “Tobacco Road,” nowhere more evident than in the character of Sister Bessie, portrayed by Danette Pawlowski. This character can be misrepresented as comic relief but her power in the narrative goes deeper than a fire-and-brimstone Southern preacher woman. We see the effect of weaponizing religion through this character, especially the use of it to manipulate folks in desperate situations. It will connect with modern audiences in recognizing how religion is misused in politics and social issues.

From the actors: Pawlowski reflects on Bessie’s intentions: “Bessie follows a nameless religion that she basically makes up as she goes along. What a better way to manipulate people who feel hopeless and helpless.” Quoting her character: ‘It ain’t got a name. I generally call it ‘holy.’ It’s just me and God. God talks to me in prayer, and I answer him back. I get most things done that way.’

Chateau on the process of discovering who “Jeeter” is, a reflection of classic American anti-heroes like Willie Loman and John Proctor: “He (Jeeter) is so wrapped up in sticking to the old ways and fending these principles against all those he feels are taking them away, he fails to see the opportunity to better his and his family’s lives.”

Jeeter, like the character of Tevye, in “Fiddler on the Roof,” is so wrapped-up in tradition — in this case share-cropping — that he fails to understand the navigation necessary to survive in a new 20th-Century world.

“He’s great, I love his character,” Chateau said of Jeeter,:”You want to pity him, wish him luck, but then he acts like a jerk.”

The show website? http://www.artofwny.org

Tickets: HERE.