Playwright Brings 1936 Sandburg Work to Life

In “The People, Yes,” a 1936 compilation of poems, character sketches, anecdotes and dialogues, Carl Sandburg extolled the virtues of the working man. Fifty years later, playwright Mark Harelik covered some of the same ground in “The Immigrant--A Hamilton County Album.”

“The world is powered by the invisible people, and too much attention is spent on people in high profiles,” Harelik said. “The people who remain below the horizon are the engines that run the world. Sandburg was so articulate in his sympathy and praise for the common man. His poetry is so stimulating.”

It was his deep admiration for the famed American poet that prompted Harelik to produce a theatrical version of “The People, Yes” in 1975 at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Santa Maria and subsequently take the show on the road for six weeks.

Fourteen years later, Harelik, 37, has organized a theatrical reading of “The People, Yes,” which will be presented Saturday night at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center in Van Nuys.

Compiled from Sandburg’s original book by writer Randall Myler, the work will consist of two segments each about 40 minutes long. Folk music selections from Sandburg’s “The American Songbag” have been woven into the performance.

“The music is befitting since there is already such music in Sandburg’s language,” Harelik said. “The folk songs are a different way of presenting the same message. Sandburg’s work has a folk-oriented flavor. It bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart.” Several Woody Guthrie songs have also been included in Harelik’s production.

Singer-guitarist Paul Hobbs will provide accompaniment. In addition to Harelik, the cast includes Pacific Theater Ensemble members Jacqueline Antaramian, Andrew Philpot and K. T. Vogt.

Born in Hamilton, Tex., Harelik moved to California in 1973 to pursue an acting career at the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. For a time, he also worked at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. In 1984, he began working with the Mark Taper Forum and has since had two of his plays produced there--”The Immigrant” and “Lost Highway--The Music and Legend of Hank Williams,” which he wrote with Myler. Harelik would eventually like to see “The People, Yes” have a long-term run in Los Angeles.

When Sandburg wrote “The People, Yes,” he intended it to be encouragement following the Great Depression. Harelik thinks that the piece still has the potential to infuse modern-day audiences with self-esteem and courage.

“We’re in a time when the working man is taught to despise himself,” Harelik said. “Television tells working people to be thin and rich and beautiful. It’s time for a reminder that there is great spiritual wealth in turning your back on what is shown on TV. Regardless of what we’re told, an honest day’s work is glorious.”

“The People, Yes” will be presented at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Van Nuys. Tickets range from $4 to $6. For information, call (818) 786-6310.