Review: OF MICE AND MEN Leaves You Breathless, Speechless

John Steinbeck's classic Of Mice and Men, a co-production with Milwaukee Repertory Theater and winner of the NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, continues the Arizona Theatre Company 2015-2016 season. It tells the emotional story of two migrant ranch workers, George (Jonathan Wainwright) and Lennie (Scott Greer), both of whom are trying to achieve their dream of settling down on their own farm, living off the fat of the land, and tending to the softest of rabbits.

Drifting from job to job as they dream together of a better life where they have to answer to no one places these two unlikely friends in the fields and farms of the Salinas Valley in northern California in the 1930s. It is here where their story of friendship, loneliness, and sacrifice unfolds before an audience who already knows the tragic end of this 79 year old beloved piece of American literature.

Yet we keep returning to this story. We keep returning because we all know the feeling of wanting something more - of working so hard for a yearnful dream that seems just beyond our reach. We all know what it feels like to be lonely in our own right; we all know what it feels like to make sacrifices for those we love. We keep returning to this story about human connections because of productions like that of the ATC's, where the cast and director Mark Clements bring such tension, believability, and passion to a well-known story.

Of Mice and Men brings together a brilliant cast of ensemble actors, all of whom deserve merit and have incredibly strong performances. Leading this wonderful group of actors are Wainwright and Greer, who play George and Lennie, respectfully. Wainwright brings such a raw and credible frustration to George, but, just as easily, he shows how compassion and protective this very same person can be.

As the strong, tireless worker Lennie, Greer is unbelievably stunning, able to convey such a simple mind with brilliantly chosen body language and radiates this sense of nearly child-like innocence with incredible ease. Through this portrayal of innocence, of a man who so obviously does not know better, we can see why George is always on Lennie's side.

We can also understand, deeply, achingly, how tragic their relationship ends. Up until the very end, George is protecting Lennie. And with tears in Wainwright's eyes, threatening to stream down his face, we see how real the agony George faces in his decision.

This is not a production to miss.

The Arizona Theatre Company's 2015-2016 season is sponsored by I. Michael and Beth Kasser. Of Mice and Men runs until March 26th (total run time of two hours, with one intermission), with tickets starting at $23 a piece, which can be purchased at the box office at the Temple of Music and Art (333 S. Scott Ave), via telephone at (520) 622-2823, or online at www.arizonatheatre.org. Discounted rates are available at all performances to seniors and active military members. Students can purchase tickets for $10 at all performances and half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seats one hour prior to curtain.

Following Of Mice and Men will be Scott Carter's new play: the Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens, and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord (April 4th - 30nd), closing the 2015-206 season at ATC.

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