Costa Mesa Playhouse Will Open 52nd Season with OF MICE AND MEN

The Costa Mesa Playhouse presents the first production of its 52nd season, John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men," running July 29 through August 21, 2016.

The Costa Mesa Playhouse launches its 52nd season with John Steinbeck's classic play, "Of Mice and Men," opening July 29, 2016, and playing through August 21. Two migrant ranch workers, George and his physically powerful but simple-minded companion, Lennie, in central California during the Great Depression, are on the run from trouble and faced by a bleak reality, but they still dream of saving enough money to buy a piece of land and a home of their own.

Steinbeck intentionally structured his best-selling 1937 novella like a play, and the stage version earned the 1938 New York Drama Critics' Circle award for Best Play. The 1939 film adaptation, starring Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney, Jr., was nominated for four Academy Awards. There were two tv versions, in 1968 and 1981, and another feature version in 1992 starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. A 2014 Broadway revival starred James Franco. The original novella, although often banned over the years for some of its themes, remains required reading in many high schools.

"Of Mice and Men" is directed by Michael Serna, who last directed "A Behanding in Spokane" and "God of Carnage" for the Costa Mesa Playhouse. It stars Angel Correa and Peter Hilton as George and Lennie, with Michael Dale Brown, Bill Carson, Mauricio Zamora, Kelsey Olson, Mark Tillman, Stefan Marchand, Chris Mertan, and Van Hudson.

The first performance, Friday, July 29, is a preview for which all seats are $18. Saturday, July 30 is the official opening night Gala, with a catered reception, for which tickets are $22 general and $20 for seniors & students. For all other performances, tickets are $20 and $18. Groups of 10 or more are $13 each. Reservations can be made at www.costamesaplayhouse.com or by calling 949-650-5269. The Playhouse is located at 661 Hamilton Street in Costa Mesa.