BWW Reviews: OF MICE AND MEN at the Seattle Rep

Seattle Repertory Theatre is currently presenting John Steinbeck's depression era classic "Of Mice and Men".  While not the most amazing play I've seen this season, the Rep continues to demonstrate that they know how to put up good, strong solid theater and this production is no exception.

Set in the 1930's we journey with George and Lennie (Troy Fischnaller and Charles Leggett), possibly the two best friends you'll ever meet.  Not friends due to commonalities but friendship springing forth from their need for one another.  Lennie, the good hearted yet not so bright and childlike who cannot always control his considerable strength needs George to keep him from getting into trouble.  And George, an angry man just looking to get by, needs someone to talk to who won't judge and who better than a man who often times doesn't even remember what he says.  The two have just fled their last ranch job they had due to a "misunderstanding" caused by Lennie and are hoping to find their way in another town where no one knows them.  They find work and another ranch but trouble is not far behind as the rancher's son Curley (SeanJohn Walsh) looks upon Lennie as a way to prove himself the bigger man while his new wife (Elise Karolina Hunt) seems to want to get close to any man around except her husband.  Not a good combination for Lennie who, despite all of George's warnings, manages to do exactly the wrong thing causing a situation that even George cannot fix.

Director Jerry Manning has brought together an incredible group of talent with the ensemble and his staging is near perfection.  I only wish they had been able to raise the stakes a bit for the pair.  I just didn't quite feel the sense of importance of the two making it out of this life until the very end which admittedly was quite powerful and made choke up, but I felt could have been even more so with more urgency.  But that is a minor qualm in a very rich production.

Leggett is wonderfully lovable and charming as the dim witted Lennie.  It completely breaks your heart each time he messes up.  And Fischnaller's quiet strength in this all too easily over shadowed part is quite a sight.  I should also mention Teagle F. Bougere and Sean G. Griffin in a couple of powerhouse supporting roles.  Both men turn in singular performances as men who, based on their physical differences (one black and one crippled) have both found themselves disposable in this harsh world.  Each of them strives to keep from being discarded in their own way, one through rage and one through desperation.   And each actor has a moment to shine in this production and they make the most of it.

With a beautifully simple yet versatile set by Jennifer Zeyl and a gorgeous lighting design from Robert J. Aguilar, the show is a winner.  And aside from my one little issue, I feel this superior production truly does justice to this classic tale. 

"Of Mice and Men" performs at Seattle Repertory Theatre through April 10^th.  For tickets or information contact the Seattle Rep box office at 206-443-2222 or visit them online at www.seattlerep.org.

Photo credit: Chris Bennion

 

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