About This Show

Spearheaded by Stoneham Theatre and Stoneham Library, eight community institutions are contributing to Perseverance: A Celebration of the American Spirit in the 1930s, a series of performances and events to highlight the lives and experiences of Americans during the Great Depression and to promote literacy and reading.

Calendar of Events:

FEBRUARY 2007

The Stoneham Historical Society
The Stoneham Historical Society is displaying photos and 1930 newspaper articles at the library and several other locations.

Arthur Griffin’s A Singular Vision
February 14 – March 28
at The Gallery at Stoneham Theatre
The Griffin Museum of Photography in Winchester mounts an exhibit of Arthur Griffin’s photographs from the 1930s. Griffin was born in Lawrence, MA. in 1903. Originally trained to be an illustrator, in 1929 he picked up his first camera — a second-hand folding Brownie — and thus began a passion that lasted a lifetime. By the mid-1930s, Arthur Griffin had become the exclusive photographer for the newly created Boston Globe Rotogravure Magazine and the New England photojournalist for Life and Time magazines. The Gallery at Stoneham Theatre is open to the public during regular box office hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 1:00 to 6:00pm and open to audiences before each performance and during intermission.

Perseverance: A Celebration of the American Spirit in the 1930s
February 2007 – Exact Dates TBD
Host Cheryl Webb Scott interviews representatives of the partnering organizations about each of the events and the overall goals of the collaboration. To be shown on Stoneham TV and other area cable stations. Check your local listings.

Oral Histories: Senior to Senior
While much has been made of the passing of ‘the greatest generation’ and their memories of WWII, we are also rapidly losing the last members of the generation that remember living through the Great Depression. Initiated by members of the Stoneham Senior Center, interviews cover their memories of growing up in the depression. At least on of the interviews is conducted by a member of the Senior class from Stoneham High School (“Senior to Senior”). These are shown on Stoneham TV during February and March 2007. Check your local listings.

Discussion, Stoneham Library’s “Community Reads” selection:
Mary McGarry Morris’ The Lost Mother
Tuesday, February 27 at 1:30pm
at Stoneham Senior Center
Stoneham Senior Center book club meets to discuss Stoneham Library’s “Community Reads” selection of acclaimed author Mary McGarry Morris’ book, The Lost Mother. Since the publication of her astonishing debut, Vanished, Mary McGarry Morris has been compared with John Steinbeck and Carson McCullers and widely praised as “a superb storyteller” (The Washington Post) and “one of our finest American writers” (The Miami Herald). Now, in her sixth novel, Morris has achieved new heights with her riveting chronicle of the Talcotts, a family in rural Vermont during the Great Depression. For more about the author and book visit www.marymcgarrymorris.com.

Author Talkback with Mary McGarry Morris
Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00pm
at Stoneham Library
Mary McGarry Morris participates in a discussion about Stoneham Library’s “Community Reads” selection of her book The Lost Mother. For more about the author and book visit www.marymcgarrymorris.com.

MARCH 2007

The Grapes of Wrath
March 1 – 18
at Stoneham Theatre
Directed by Artistic Director Weylin Symes, Stoneham Theatre presents Frank Galati’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. The classic novel about the Great Depression is stunningly adapted for the stage. More than just the tale of the Joad family’s trip from the dust bowls of Oklahoma to the “promised land” of California, it tells the story of a nation trying to regain its innate goodness, selflessness, and generosity. Steinbeck’s masterwork provides hope that America’s soul was not lost forever in the brutality of the Depression, so much as waiting to be found again. Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 4:00pm & 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Tickets are $16.00 – $40.00. For tickets, visit or call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at 781-279-2200 or buy online.

The Grapes of Wrath and The Greater Boston Food Bank
Thursday, March 1 at 7:30pm
at Stoneham Theatre
Stoneham Theatre donates $5.00 to The Greater Boston Food Bank for every ticket purchased at full price for the March 1 performance of The Grapes of Wrath. For tickets, visit or call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at 781-279-2200 or buy online.

The Grapes Of Wrath Post-Performance Talkback with Mary McGary Morris
Sunday, March 4 from 4:30pm – 6:30pm
at Stoneham Theatre
A post-performance discussion about the play with Author Mary McGary Morris and members of the creative team. Ms. Morris is aslo available to autograph her book following the performance.

Banjos, Bones, and Ballads
with musician Jeff Warner
Tuesday, March 6 at 7:30pm
at Stoneham Theatre
Free to the public
While books are an important permanent record of a time and place, traditional folk music is a more ephemeral record, passed down orally. Music is, however, a powerful tool for bringing those experiences to life. Stoneham Theatre and the Stoneham Library co-present this free concert featuring folk singer Jeff Warner (featured in The Grapes of Wrath). Mr. Warner has extensive experience developing programs that are designed to teach American history and culture through traditional songs. Learn more and listen at www.jeffwarner.com. For tickets, visit or call the Stoneham Theatre Box Office at 781-279-2200.

The Grapes Of Wrath Student Matinees
Wednesday March 7 at 10:00am
Thursday March 8 at 10:00am
Wednesday March 14 at 10:00am
at Stoneham Theatre
In addition to 15 public performances of The Grapes of Wrath, Stoneham Theatre presents three special student matinees for Stoneham High School students ($8.00/per student) studying the Steinbeck novel. In addition, the theatre is working closely with the school departments in other area towns including Wakefield and Reading. For more information or to book a group, please contact Christopher Webb by email at Christopher@stonehamtheatre.org or by phone at 781-279-7885 ext. 113.

Comcast Family Legacy Offer
The Grapes Of Wrath
Sunday March 11 at 2:00pm
at Stoneham Theatre
To continue this important intergenerational dialogue, Comcast is sponsoring a special ticket promotion for the Sunday, March 11 matinee performance of The Grapes of Wrath. Every Grandparent who brings their grandchildren to the performance on the 11th is also able to purchase their tickets at the student price of $20.00 each. After the performance, there is a special Talk Back discussion that encourages the Grandparents to share their memories of The Great Depression (or the stories they remember their parents telling) and how those family stories were the same or different than the experiences in the play.

Stoneham Theatre
395 Main Street
Stoneham, MA

Show Details

Dates: Opening Night: February 14, 2007 Final Performance: March 18, 2007