There are certain stories that never lose their power. John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath is one of them — a story about a family that loses everything and keeps going anyway, about dignity in the face of hardship, about what people owe each other when the world turns hard.

This week, that story comes to life on stage in Brainerd.

The Central Lakes College Performing Arts Center opens its production of "The Grapes of Wrath" on Thursday, April 30, with performances running through Sunday, May 3 at the Chalberg Theatre on the CLC campus.

CLC's Performing Arts program is one of the hidden gems of this community. Each season, students, faculty, and local performers collaborate on productions that match — and often exceed — the quality of what you'd find in larger cities. The Chalberg Theatre itself is a beautiful space that fills up fast for any major production.

The Grapes of Wrath tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma farmers forced off their land during the Dust Bowl, who make the desperate journey to California in search of a better life. It's a story about resilience. About family. About what it means to hold on to your humanity when circumstances are stripping everything else away.

If you've never seen a CLC production before, this is a great place to start.

Check the CLC Performing Arts website for ticket prices and reservation information. Shows sell out — don't wait until the last minute.

Thursday, April 30 – Sunday, May 3

Chalberg Theatre, Central Lakes College, Brainerd

Visit the CLC Performing Arts Center website for tickets and show times.