APf to present free-to-attend script-in-hand series Mother Road

A Public Fit Theatre Company presents the third show of its 2025-26 season, a staged reading of Octavio Solis’ Mother Road, a modern sequel to John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Offered in partnership with the Clark County-Las Vegas Library District, Mother Road will be presented at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, the Clark County Library, 1404 E. Flamingo Road on Friday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m.  Doors will open one half-hour before showtime and admission is FREE.

Set in the modern era, Mother Road reintroduces us to the famed Joad family of Steinbeck’s classic novel.  In a quest to connect with his only living heir, William Joad embarks on yet another epic cross-country journey to ensure that his legacy lives on.  A contemporary fable about inclusion, exclusion and the difficult necessity of healing, Octavio Solis has crafted a poetic re-evaluation of a true American classic.

“Solis has done a masterful job of capturing the struggles, themes and structure of Steinbeck’s classic,” says Mother Road director Gigi Guizado. “It’s truly remarkable how much it resonates in our modern age.”

Mother Road features the talents of John Allen, Jose Anthony, Augustin Ballesteros-Martinez, Nico Lemus, Jacob Moore, Shakiem R. Smith and Gala Batres Villegas.  “It’s a true ensemble piece in every sense of the word,” says Guizado. “Everyone in the cast plays at least 3 different characters!”

Immediately following each performance, audiences are invited to join the cast and production staff for a moderated discussion of the play's themes and discoveries.   This APf hallmark, The Buzz, ensures that conversations about captivating theatre are shared within the community.  The Buzz is an expression of A Public Fit’s ongoing commitment to engage audiences well-beyond the limits of the stage. 

“And what a conversation it promises to be,” says Guizado, “not just about the play but potentially about the novel that inspired it!” 

APf's occasional podcast, Behind the Buzz, is back, offering extended conversations and details on the processes behind the creation of our season of plays and script-in-hand productions.  In this latest episode, Joe and Ann-Marie are joined by director Gigi Guizado and actor Agustin Ballesteros-Martinez to discuss the production.  They discuss creating an ensemble, ditching props, and the challenge of carrying an enormous script.  Download Behind the Buzz wherever you get your podcasts or stream it by clicking here.

APf offers a seven-show season consisting of four staged readings and three mainstage productions.  APf’s upcoming shows for the 2025-26 season are:  Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl; The Apiary by Kate Douglas; Passage by Christopher Chen and The Effect by Lucy Prebble. 

For more information regarding A Public Fit Theatre Company, including upcoming performances, visit online at www.apublicfit.org and click here for tickets.