New Village Arts' OF MICE AND MEN Ends Performances

New Village Arts's popular proudction of OF MICE AND MEN plays its final performance today at the New Village Arts Theatre (2787 State Street, Carlsbad Village).

Steinbeck’s OF MICE AND MEN is one of the most cherished stories in American literary history. Frequently included as required reading for most high school students, it is also one of the most banned books in American history. OF MICE AND MEN creates an ensemble of people all trying to find a place to belong, led by two of the best characters ever created: George Milton (actor Justin Lang) and Lennie Small (Manny Fernandes). It’s been adapted for film and television many times, most recently by Gary Sinise and John Malkovich in an award-winning 1992 film version, and has even been adapted into an opera. New Village Arts brings the talent of director Daren Scott, who portrayed Lennie in a 2005 production by San Diego’s Renaissance Theatre Company, to lead this production highlighting the intense, close-knit work of NVA’s Ensemble.

OF MICE AND MEN invites the men in NVA’s Ensemble to take the stage. NVA is gifted with a group of talented actors, and this production showcases that. The production is lead by Manny Fernandes, as Lennie, and Justin Lang, as George. Fernandes has won numerous awards in San Diego and is one of NVA’s founding Ensemble members. Lang portrayed Orlando in NVA’s AS YOU LIKE IT and has appeared frequently with Moxie Theatre, Intrepid Shakespeare and Poor Players. Also featured in the cast are Adam Brick (THOM PAIN), John DeCarlo (SUMMER AND SMOKE), Kelly Iversen (SWEET STORM), Kyle Lucy (AH, WILDERNESS!), and Jack Missett (DEATH OF A SALESMAN), with NVA acting debuts from Charles Maze, Durwood Murphy, and Samuel Sherman (longtime NVA Stage Manager, now making his acting debut).

New Village Arts has partnered with Bill Bradbury and his band MandoBasso to create an original musical soundtrack for the play. MandoBasso is a duo featuring Gunnar Biggs on bass and Bradbury on mandolin. Biggs and Bradbury first came together as colleagues working on projects at both Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos. Biggs comes from a strong background in jazz and classical performance, Bradbury from a composition and computer music background. Their mutual love of Irish and traditional American music brought them together in this unusual pairing of mandolin and bass. MandoBasso performances include mainly new compositions, along with arrangements of traditional music, classical music, jazz and ragtime.

Tim Wallace designed the set with Adam Brick and Bill Bradbury designing sound. Christopher Loren Renda designed lights and Kristianne Kurner designed costumes. Bonnie Durben created the world of props, Ashley Watkins is the stage manager and Kristianne Kurner is the Artistic Director.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NewVillageArts.org or calling 760-433-3245.

Photo Credit: Daren Scott

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