Best lay some plans for ‘Of Mice and Men’
Steinbeck’s Depression-era masterpiece hits the stage in Newport
By Barbara B. Covell
For the TODAY
Photos by Chris Graamans
It was 1937 and America was reeling from the effects of the Great Depression, as well as the prospect of engaging in another world war. Employment was at an all-time low and men were forced to search for migrant field work on farms and ranches. The work was not steady, but offered a place to sleep and three meals a day until moving on to the next job.
This is the core of John Steinbeck’s play “Of Mice and Men.” It features two men, George Milton and Lennie Small, searching for independence and their own piece of land. George is intelligent but uneducated, Lennie is a bulk of a man with mental disabilities. Lennie loves to touch and pet soft animals but, unable to control his strength, accidentally kills them. It becomes clear that this compulsion is a real danger in other ways. And while George is Lennie’s protector, they are bound together as friends since childhood and share the same hopes of a quiet life in a place they call home.
George and Lennie are hired at a California farm where a host of characters come to life, reinforcing the frustrations of the times and how isolation and desperation wreak havoc on everyman’s hopes and dreams.
Director Marc Maislen brings this stunning, tour-de-force art to the Alice Silverman stage at the Newport Performing Arts Center.
“This socially relevant theatre highlights the treatment of people of color, women and people with disabilities — limitations imposed by society that still exist today,” he said. “Steinbeck expresses themes about fragmentation in communication, dreams and family.”
This is a theatrical masterpiece interpreted by Maislen and a cast of talented actors. The portrayals of George and Lennie by Nate Bush and Gary Herd, are riveting performances that are truly the backbone of the play. Bush puts forth the emotional caliber that keeps the storyline moving at a rapid pace. George’s dreams and aspirations inject some hope and validation that an independent life is possible.
Herd shines as Lennie, evoking compassion and sympathy for his limitations and conflicting behaviors. Herd masterfully portrays Lennie’s innocence with his uncontrollable urges. The friendship between George and Lennie is bittersweet and the inevitable tragic ending is emotionally draining.
Maislen has cast strong actors in supporting roles. These characters all demonstrate loneliness sustained by feelings of powerlessness. They often act inhumanely to one another.
“Each of these characters develop in revealing their frustrations, hopes and dreams,” Maislen said. “Two of them, Candy (who fears his age is making him useless) and Crook (the man of color who self identifies as a half breed) actually become included in George and Lennie’s possible future of independence.”
Both Candy, played by Frank Ward, and Crook, played by Michael Spivey, are essential to the storyline as they develop an understanding of George and Lennie. Spivey’s character is forced to live separate from the others because of his race. He is showcased by Maislen and gives an outstanding performance.
Other characters include the farm boss, played by Mitch Lampson, who wants the maximum work done; his aggressive son Curley, played by Paul Kimberly, a bully who takes an instant dislike for Lennie; Carlson, played by Jim Erikson, an outspoken and self-assured sidekick to Curley; the grain mule team leader Slim, played by Pete Theodore, is greatly respected, kind, and has a natural authority; and Whit, played by Alex Robbins, a young and restless ranch hand. Not to be missed is Curley’s wife, played by Kateri Eastman, who remains nameless but has a strong impact on all the others with her beauty and flirtatiousness. Eastman is integral to Steinbeck’s message on oppression and abuse and gives power to this role.
Stage manager is Sara Herd with Allie Poling assisting, set design is by Mary Eastman, costumes by Jeri Harris and Jed Hansen is tech operator.
Steinbeck is one of the most prolific writers of the 20th Century and his books are still part of the required reading curriculum in many American and International high schools. “Of Mice and Men” has been a target by those in favor of banning books in public and school libraries banning due to its contents and the perceived impact of negative stereotypes.
“Of Mice and Men” runs through October 29, with performances every Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinées at 2:30 pm. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students. For tickets and more information, go to coastarts.org or call 541-265-ARTS.