The Villagers stages the popular adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel.
By: Stuart Duncan
In 1940, John Steinbeck wrote The Grapes of Wrath, which almost instantly became his "breakthrough novel" and won the Pulitzer Prize for literature. Later it became a major motion picture, cementing Henry Fonda’s career. But three years earlier Steinbeck had written Of Mice and Men, adapting it to the stage almost immediately, and it is the earlier work that has become a favorite through the years.
The latest production is by The Villagers, and next week another staging will be offered by Actors’ NET in Morrisville, Pa. Villagers’ Director Jonathan Wierzbicki is rapidly rising to the top level in the area. He has his own style, which fits beautifully with the demands of a Steinbeck work. It begins with superb casting. Critics often draw attention to the writer’s realistic studies of life among the depressed economic classes of the U.S. and suggest that he had a strong sense of sentimentalism, even in his most somber works. True enough, but director Wierzbicki cleverly takes this further; he finds individual character in each role and allows that to further the playwright’s instincts.
The story is a simple one: it deals with the friendship between two migrant laborers in California Lenny Small, a giant half-wit of enormous strength who likes to caress soft things, and George Milton, who acts as Lenny’s protector. The two dream of owning a farm one day. The daughter-in-law of the owner of the farm on which the two are working is a nymphomaniac and decides to try to seduce Lenny. When, in response, he attempts to stroke her "soft" hair, she becomes frightened and tries to escape. Lenny accidentally breaks her neck with his huge hands. In order to save his friend from an angry lynch mob, George shoots Lenny.
The Villagers production is peopled with characters you will remember: Rich Kline as Candy, the old-timer agonizing over his aging dog; Joseph Porter as the Boss, truly believing he is fair and balanced; Pete DiMarco as his son, hot-tempered and mildly sadistic, with a basic small-man attitude; Linda Missal as the wife with "the roving eye"; and Christopher McGuire as Slim, the "skinner" and therefore the bunkhouse natural leader.
But the evening, as indeed in the novel, belongs to Danny Siegel as George, ever patient even at risk to his own well-being, and Randall McCann as Lenny, needing much care. It is these two who give the play its beauty and its ultimate devastation. Director Wierzbicki has his own tricks. The simplest is also one of the best. In the opening scene as George recalls some of his memories of the past, a girl appears without speaking, partially hidden by the sage brush and lit only by the embers of the glowing fire, crosses the stage and exits. A passing memory, perhaps. It’s not in the script, nor yet the novel, but it’s a wonderful moment.
Of Mice and Men continues at The Villagers, 415 DeMott Lane, Somerset, through May 14. Performances: Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Tickets cost $16, $14 seniors/students. For information, call (732) 873-2710. On the Web: www.villagerstheatre.com

