1 Photo
The title of John Steinbeck’s tragic novel “Of Mice and Men” originated from the Robert Burns poem, “To a Mouse,” which reads: “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men/Gang aft agley.” In other words, “The best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.”
The author pulled inspiration from his years spent in the 1920s as a bindlestiff and centers on the theme of friendship, the driving force of the Great Depression-era narrative that looks past human elements, such as handicaps and class distinctions. It powerfully illustrates societal hierarchies, ranging from the African-American struggle to mental illness, and explores sacrifice, dignity and profound loneliness.
Starting Monday, Literature Live! will stage the adaption of Steinbeck’s circa-1937 novel at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, a program that has served more than 7,500 students and 53 schools over the course of seven years. It offers a free student ticket initiative, which allows all students to attend the production, directed by Joe Minutello, at no cost.
“I am delighted that we serve students from Wyandanch to Montauk,” said Ava Locks, director of education at Bay Steet Theater, “and this year we have over 3,000 students and 25 schools that plan to attend.”
The general public can catch performances on the weekends, through Saturday, November 28, and relive the familiar story of two traveling, temporary workers—George, who makes all the decisions, and Lennie, the mentally handicapped giant—and their dream of owning their own ranch.
Lennie, whose only true pleasure in life is to pet anything soft, opens the play with a dead mouse in his pocket. He is quickly reminded by George that they had to leave the last town because he touched a girl’s soft dress. This theme continues, as people mistake the simple pleasure of a mentally ill Lennie for something more sinister.
The role of Lennie, which was originally cast to Nick Cordero, will be played by Preston Truman Boyd, who most recently performed in “Bullets Over Broadway” at the St. James Theatre and “Big Fish” at the Neil Simon Theatre, both in Manhattan and directed by Susan Stroman.
“Lennie is a deceptively complex character,” Mr. Truman said. “It’s fun to play the hope of a character. The only person in Lennie’s life is George. It’s kind of like playing the master and the dog. I’m devoted to him and the dream. George is my family. If anyone speaks ill of George, I freak out at them.”
“It’s plain and simple,” he continued. “He likes to touch soft things, pet mice. We see moments where he doesn’t know how scary he can be. He learns how to act as a human by watching how people respond to honest reactions. He just doesn’t understand something has been killed.”
Joe Pallister will portray George—a role with which he is deeply familiar, as he acted it four years ago at the Southampton Cultural Center, he said.
“The character of George is very raw. Anyone watching can relate,” he said. “One of the biggest things that we take away from this story is that within society’s hierarchy, everyone has power over other people. Whether it’s at work or home, especially over people with some kind of handicap, like autism, we see how people treat that person. During the play, even Crooks terrorizes the simple Lenny. You can see the hierarchies of society again. We take advantage of people. Or we can care for that person.”
Mr. Pollister said he is very enthusiastic about performing for children. “This is a big show for kids, these Literature Live! productions. The kids that come probably don’t get to go to a lot of theater. I love how when we take the stage, how focused the kids get. I think it’s because they’re so used to television or what’s on their phones. During the play, they are almost in the bunkhouse with us.
“It does something,” he continued. “The piece is so powerful. I think the kids will think about people, how everyone has a weight and how they throw their weight around.”
Literature Live! will present “Of Mice and Men” from Monday, November 9, through Saturday, November 28, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. Public performances will be held on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m., with matinées on Sunday, November 15, and Saturday, November 28, at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $50, but are free for students with a valid ID. For more information, call (631) 725-9500, or visit baystreet.org.
on Nov 3, 2015