Photo Flash: TheatreWorks Presents OF MICE AND MEN, 4/4-29

A literary masterpiece comes to life this spring when TheatreWorks of Silicon Valley presents OF MICE AND MEN. Crafted for the stage by Steinbeck himself, this portrait immortalizes the strength of friendship and the depth of the American dream. OF MICE AND MEN plays April 4-29, 2012 (press opening April 7) at TheatreWorks at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. For tickets ($19-$69) and information the public may call (650) 463-1960 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

Broke and escaping a misunderstood past, quick-witted George and his friend Lennie, a towering giant with the mind of a young child, find work on a Salinas Valley ranch during the Great Depression. The two men dream of having land of their own, but the road to proprietorship is filled complications, as they struggle to discern who they can trust. While George does his best to protect Lennie, the boss's hot-tempered son Curley is itching for a fight and Curley's lonely, flirtatious wife is determined to stir things up. In this powerful tale of ambition and loyalty, the men forge strong alliances and make dangerous enemies, all while harboring the most American dream of all.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author John Steinbeck (1902-1968), one of the great American writers of the 20th century, is known for his stirring social commentary about the plight of the rural farm worker during the Great Depression. His most famous works include The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden, Cannery Row, and Of Mice and Men.

The cast for this production includes TheatreWorks newcomers AJ Meijer (Ahmanson Theatre, LA Theatre Ensemble, Getty Villa) as "Lennie"; Jos Viramontes (Bones and Lie To Me on FOX, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Cleveland Playhouse) as "George"; Harold Pierce (California Shakespeare Theater, Marin Theatre Company, Shotgun Players) as "Curley"; and Lena Hart (Chautauqua Theatre Company, TheatreWorks/USA) as "Curley's wife."

Returning to the TheatreWorks stage are Charles Branklyn as "Crook," seen in Radio Golf at TheatreWorks and has also played roles at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, and the Magic Theatre; Chad Deverman as "Slim," seen in The Sisters Rosensweig at TheatreWorks, and also in roles at SF Playhouse, California Shakespeare Theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre; Gary Martinez as "Candy," remembered for roles in Into the Woods and Shakespeare in Hollywood at TheatreWorks, and has performed with Broadway by the Bay, Teatro Vision, and San Jose Stage Company; Josiah Polhemus as "Whit," who was last seen in Snow Falling on Cedars at TheatreWorks, and in other roles at American Conservatory Theater and Shakespeare Santa Cruz; and Michael Ray Wisely as "Boss / Carlson," last seen at TheatreWorks in To Kill a Mockingbird, and has played roles at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, San Jose Stage Company, Marin Theatre Company, and the Magic Theatre.

TheatreWorks Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley directs OF MICE AND MEN. 

For information or to order tickets call (650) 463-1960 or visit theatreworks.org

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