REST IN PEACE—Family and friends bury one of their own in “The Grapes of Wrath” playing at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center. John Steinbeck’s tale of the American spirit comes alive as the Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi presents the Tony Award-winning “The Grapes of Wrath,” directed by David Ralphe and playing at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center.

The 1939 novel won both the Pulitzer and Nobel prizes. John Ford received an Oscar for directing the 1940 film version, which differs considerably from the book. In 1990, the stage version, scripted by Frank Galati, premiered on Broadway.

The title comes from “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” by Julia Ward Howe: “He (the Lord) has trampled out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.” The biblical imagery of grapes crushed in a wine press signifies God’s judgment in the last days.

Although the story is set after the 1935 Dust Bowl that destroyed thousands of Midwest farms, the themes resonate in today’s world of unemployment and of immigrants coming to the West Coast in search of a better life but finding disappointment.

Tom Joad, on parole, returns to what’s left of the family farm in Oklahoma. After the family is evicted, they purchase an old jalopy and head to California with expectations of high wages, plentiful jobs and the good life.

The dream turns into a nightmare as thousands of out-of-work farmers compete for the same jobs. The Californian landowners provide pitiful wages, poor living conditions and backbreaking labor. Workers who complain must answer to crooked cops and sadistic armed guards. The Joads encounter one calamity after another, yet they bear their troubles with determination, generosity and resiliency.

Tom Mesmer plays Tom Joad, the hot-tempered but warmhearted ex-con who takes over leadership of his family and eventually fights for the workers. With his weather-beaten face and inner strength, he’s a natural for the role.

The Joad clan is a colorful bunch. Ma (Kathleen Silverman) is the family’s soul, striving to preserve the household as members leave or die. Tom Puckett plays Pa, and Ed Connelly is the cantankerous Grampa who refuses to leave his homeland. Julie Snyder is Granma, and Chris Carnicelli turns in a fine moment as brother Noah.

Dawn Notagiacomo portrays Rose of Sharon, Tom’s pregnant sister determined to give her child a fine upbringing. Her quiet husband, Connie Rivers (Aaron Anthony Strange), feels slighted among the Joad men. Tom’s teenage brother Al (Wes Robinson) thinks only about girls.

Jeff G. Rack gives a standout performance as former preacher Jim Casey, who once riled up audiences with fiery sermons but now “thinks” about life.

With such a large cast, there’s no time to explore the characters deeply, and the audience only catches glimpses into their souls.

Ensemble members portray the people the Joads encounter on their travels. Notable performances include the four singing car salesmen; Taylor Kasch as the Okie disillusioned by the Californian dream; Don Mills as the mentally ill transient; Kimmie Robinson as Al’s girl; and the children, Selby and Felix Schnobrich and Ericka Lunbeck, who add background atmosphere as they quietly play with their toys.

Two singers, two acoustic guitarists and a fiddler provide an enjoyable soundtrack of Woody Guthrie songs and traditional folk tunes. The musicians come onstage to play a foot-stompin’ hoedown with choreography by Becky Castells.

The excellent technical aspects include the rustic set, sound and lighting effects, a photo slide show and, especially, the unique automobile the Joads literally put together onstage.

The simple country folk spend much time in philosophical monologues. The rhythms of the rural dialect are a delight for the ear. Unfortunately, the dialogue is often lost because the actors talk too quickly. The performers would serve the text better by putting the brakes on their breakneck delivery. At times Silverman needs clearer enunciation, and some of the ensemble players speak too softly.

Another drawback to the production is that, while one feels sympathy for the Joads, the play rarely stirs the heart, possibly because the characters face hardship with so much resolve and acceptance— they hardly shed a tear when someone dies—that they seem superhuman.

Two acts is not enough time to unpack all the issues raised or to see how the characters resolve their stories. Perhaps the “third act” would be the audience taking home and living out the play’s values of social justice and family unity as they fulfill their own dreams for a happy life.

Running time is two hours, 45 minutes.

The play continues through Aug. 29 at the arts center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. For tickets, call (805) 583-7900.