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Scott RC Levy (top) reviews notes with lead carpenter Brantley Haines. Photo by Moxie Photography |
Although most widely known and read as a novella (a short novel), John Steinbeck wrote Of Mice and Men with the stage somewhat in mind, where each chapter takes place in one place, and dialogue between characters is of great importance. Published 75 years ago in 1937, it shows the tragic story of two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California. George Milton and Lennie Small, the protagonists and best friends of the novel/play, attempt to start their own farm. The heart-warming and simultaneously heart-wrenching tale of the protective George and his mentally handicapped friend, Lennie, retold at the SaGaJi Theatre will be the best way to complement Resilience and the 75th Anniversary celebrations.
Here’s a Q&A with Scott RC Levy, the Producing Director & Director of Performing Arts at the FAC:
What were the biggest challenges to putting a novel on stage?
How to make the characters’ sitting around and talking a lot theatrically engaging—there’s not any singing or dancing! There are a lot of words in this play and to make it engaging and to really focus on the storytelling is a welcome challenge.
What’s your favorite part of working on a theatre version of Of Mice and Men?
I really like working on these types of plays because it allows me to do very specific moment-to-moment emotional work, because it’s the way that they’re telling the story that is most important. To be able to dive into these speeches and to figure out why they are using and speaking these sentences in a particular grammatical way is very heady kind of stuff. It’s what I love about these types of plays.
What makes this work so compelling, especially for the stage?
It is more about the relationships between the characters—mainly George and Lennie. Their relationship is so interesting and so rich that we get to see it in many different levels throughout the play, like in how they interact with these other people they’re just meeting for the first time. [It becomes] more than a scene, it is about how these two men react to other people.
What attracts you to Of Mice and Men?
I’ve always been a big fan of Steinbeck and I really personally enjoy early 20th century Americanism, and that’s what Steinbeck likes; he writes about the common man. Even though this particular story is 75 years old, still very relevant to American society today. It’s definitely an American classic and it really does hold 75 years after it was written. It still feels fresh.
Of Mice and Men will run from March 15-April 1. The play contains adult situations and language. Tickets are available online, or call the Box Office at 719.634.5583. Become a member of the FAC and enjoy Theatre discounts among many other benefits!
CAST MEMBERS:
George……………………
Lennie……………………
Candy…………………….
The Boss……………………..
Curley……………………
Curley’s Wife……………………..
Slim……………………..
Carlson…………………..
Whit……………………..
Crooks……………………