Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck's heart-wrenching classic OF MICE AND MEN was written as a "play-novelette" intended to be performed on stage. It's the story of quick-witted itinerant farm-worker George and his large and lumbering yet simple-minded friend Lennie, whose love of soft things and carelessness with his brutal strength often lands him in trouble. The pair travel from farm to farm while they dream of owning their own piece of land, yet just when their dream is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. The cast includes fellow farm hands, including the elderly Candy and African American stable worker Crooks, as well as the malicious ranch-owner's son and his unscrupulous wife.

Author: John Steinbeck
Director: TBD

Rehearsals: Starting September 24 at 7pm
Performance Dates: Oct. 29 - Nov. 18 (15 daytime school matinees & 2 public performances)

Note: This production is presented to area schools, requiring 15 weekday morning performances over three consecutive weeks, in addition to 2 mainstage performances. An honorarium will be offered for the school matinees.

PRINCIPAL ROLES (stage age)

Lennie
- migrant farm worker; large, strong, mentally challenged and child-like, kind-hearted yet doesn't understand his own strength (20s-40s)

George
- migrant farm worker, cares for Lennie; small and wiry, compassionate, responsible, quick-witted (20s-40s)

Candy
- aging farm hand; fearful of the future (50s-60s)

Curly
- ranch owner's son; small, confrontational, mean-spirited, insecure (20s-30s)

Crooks
- black stable worker; proud, bitter, caustic (30s-40s)

Carlson
- macho farm hand; obnoxious complainer (20s-40s)

Slim
- lead farm hand; quiet, insightful (20s-40s)

Whit
- farmhand (20s-40s)

Curly's Wife
- disgruntled farmwife; flirtatious, longs for excitement (20s-30s)

The Boss
- stocky, well-dressed ranch-owner, Curly's father; fair and impartial (50s-60s)