Of Mice and Men
January 15 - 30, 2010
Of Mice and Men
by John Steinbeck
January 15 - 30, 2010
Directed by Charles Ballinger
Well loved classic
Dupree Theater
Irving Arts Center
3333 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, TX 75062
Fridays & Saturdays, January 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, 2010 at 8pm.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 8pm.
Sundays, January 17, 24, 2010 at 2:30pm.
John Steinbeck’s classic tale of friendship follows two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression. George Milton looks after his mentally-disabled friend, Lennie Small, as they travel looking for work. The two men hope to one day settle down on their own piece of land, but their plans of living the American Dream prove difficult to achieve.
When a ranch boss' promiscuous wife is found dead in the barn with a broken neck, it's obvious that Lennie, albeit accidentally, killed her. George is faced with a moral question: how should he deal with Lennie before the ranchers find him and take matters into their own hands.
PG
Produciton Images
Jason Leyva (George), Dustin Sautter (Lennie)
Dustin Sautter (Lennie), Jason Leyva (George), Randal Scott (Curley)
Dustin Sautter (Lennie), Cassidy Crown (Curly's Wife)
*Photography by Mike Morgan Photography
Reviews
"Gird your loins and head to ICT for a wrenching, compelling night of theater."
by Doug Dodasovich
EDGE Contributor
Monday Jan 18, 2010
ICT Main Stage in Irving is one ballsy theater group. Having tackled Arthur Miller and Gilbert & Sullivan last season, they kick off the New Year with John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Due to the subject matter of this classic play, I can’t call it a crowd-pleaser, but Director Charles Ballinger has assembled an exhausting and unyielding production that leaves the audience speechless and/or in tears. In other words, ICT’s Of Mice and Men is a major achievement.
Of Mice and Men is not an easy play to watch. It’s a play about loneliness and the lengths the characters go to overcome it. It’s a play about dreams and the lengths the characters go to achieve them. It’s also about the internal and external obstacles that block the characters from achieving their goals. There is visceral, graphic violence played out on stage and the play is flavored with vulgar language including repeated use of the n-word epithet.
For those of you who missed English 101, Of Mice and Men is set during the depression in central California. George and Lennie are two nomadic ranch-hands who roam from ranch to ranch looking for work but who dream about owning their own parcel of land to farm. George feels a responsibility to look out for Lennie, who in today’s PC vernacular would be described as mentally handicapped. Lennie’s disability combined with his huge and imposing size often produces unintentional dangerous results, which is why George keeps the pair constantly on the move. When George and Lennie arrive at their latest ranch, they meet Candy and Crooks, another pair of mismatched, lonely ranch-hands. Candy and Crooks have dreams of their own and help make George and Lennie’s dream seem tangible. However, damaged characters at the ranch and troubling circumstances combine to produce tragic results that George and Lennie can’t run away from.
The character of Lennie is a tricky one to pull off; there are so many ways he could be misplayed which could throw off the balance of the production. Fortunately, Dustin Sautter avoids these traps and gives us a Lennie that makes our hearts ache. At first we find Lennie amusing; constantly rambling on about tending the rabbits and asking George to tell him, once again, the dream about owning their own land. However, Sautter maintains Lennie’s innocent nature even as the story whirlpools around him. His confusion when ’he does a bad thing’ is agonizing to watch because rather than expressing guilt over his actions, Lennie is only concerned that George may be mad and not let him tend to the rabbits. Sautter’s performance is a high-wire act with no net. Sautter fearlessly and seemingly effortlessly crosses the wire to its tragic end amidst sobs in the audience.
Jason Leyva’s George is the most thoroughly satisfying George I have witnessed (including the 1939 film version with Burgess Meredith and the 1992 version with Gary Sinise). Nearly pulled from Steinbeck’s novella, Leyva balances George’s frustrations and rewards as Lennie’s keeper with every line, glance and mannerism. While Sautter’s is the showier role, Leyva’s George grounds the play and the audience experiences the play’s downward emotional arc through Leyva: companionship, burdensomeness, lost dreams, despair and hopelessness. Sautter and Leyva together are superb. Dennis West makes a considerable impression as Candy, an older, physically challenged ranch-hand with enough power left to dream. He’ll also break your heart when he is harassed into putting down his beloved old dog.
While not terminal, casting choices infect several of the remaining supporting characters. Justin Lucas is fine as Crooks, the lone black ranch hand and most pragmatic character on stage, but Lucas is far too young to play the wizened Crooks. Randall Scott as Curly, the son of the ranch owner plays evil savagely, but Scott is too handsome to play the insecure, villainous son. Finally, Cassidy Crown, as Curly’s nameless wife hits the right notes when describing her own loneliness, but like Scott is physically wrong for the part. Curly’s wife, the pivotal role in the play, is described as a tart, jailbait and a whore. Ms. Crown is not and cannot play tart. These visual infections distract from Ellen Mizener’s aptly desolate, nearly barren Scenic Design.
Gird your loins and head to ICT for a wrenching, compelling night of theater.
Cast
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CASSIDY CROWN (Curley’s Wife) is very excited about her debut performance with ICT's OF MICE AND MEN. Most recently Cassidy performed in New York City's International Fringe Festival with THE BOXER. Other favorites include THE SOUND OF MUSIC with GSM, FOOTLOOSE with GCT, and playing Isabelle in SCROOGE the Musical with Plano Community Theatre. She designed puppets for PUPPET GOVERNMENT which premiered at FringeNYC 2006, provided voice-overs for RADIO GHOST in Austin, and was involved in a film, THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE, this fall. Cassidy holds a degree in Vocal Performance from Baylor University and thanks her friends and family for their encouragement and support. ~ |
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PATRICK LYNWOOD HENRY (Whit) is happy to make his first appearance with ICT MainStage. After graduating from Texas A & M-Commerce with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater, he moved to Dallas and appeared in Dallas Children’s Theatre production of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. He most recently portrayed five characters in Rover Dramawerks production of EPIC PROPORTIONS. His favorite roles include Skip Hampton/LU ANNE HAMPTON LAVERTY OBERLANDER, Grampa Sycamore/YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and Mr. Fleet/THE GREAT CROSS COUNTRY RACE. ~ |
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JASON LEYVA (George) is very pleased for his first role on the ICT MainStage. Jason comes to us from McAlester, Oklahoma. He has recently moved back to the south after spending 10 years in the north working, as an Entertainment Manger for Six Flags, and Director of Entertainment at Double JJ Resort in Michigan. He is currently employed as the Technical Director at the Artisan Center Theater in Hurst, and also owns and operates his own production company L.I.P. Service. He has preformed, directed, and designed in over 100 stage shows from Washington D.C. to Dallas, Texas. His stage credits include the title role in HAMLET George in WHO’S AFRIAD OF VIRIGINA WOOLF, Treat in ORPHANS, Austin in TRUE WEST, as well as the recent independent films, DIRTY RED and ECSTASY OF GOLD. ~ |
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JUSTIN LUCAS (Crooks) is proud to be making his ICT MainStage debut. He performed once before at the Irving Arts Center as Rodney in the play I WISH I HAD WAITED. His last appearance was as Fred Casely/Ensemble in the musical CHICAGO at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre. Justin's other roles include playing Mr. Bingley/PRIDE & PREJUDICE, Red Cross Volunteer/F5, and Chad Danforth/HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. ~ |
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WALT MARTS (Carlson) is delighted to be back with ICT for a 3rd show. First he portrayed Rev. Tooker/CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, and more recently several supporting roles in HEAVEN CAN WAIT. Performing for some 40 years, he’s played; Nathan/GUYS & DOLLS, Launce/TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, and Mushnik/LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. But his favorite will always be TheWizard/THE WIZARD OF A.I.D.S., which he toured in for 2 years with Chicago’s HealthWorks Theatre. ~ |
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DAVID MCCALIB (The Boss) is quite honored to be chosen for this outstanding play. Having run a spotlight for NINE and HMS PINAFORE he last appeared at ICT Mainstage in THE CRUCIBLE. Previous appearances were in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, 42nd ST., MAME and THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS. David currently serves as an Irving Arts Center Advisory Grant Panelist, is a DFW Ambassador, a volunteer at the Irving Teen Court and is a substitute teacher. ~ |
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DUNCAN ROGERS (Slim) is excited to be making his ICT MainStage debut in this great American story. He was last seen as Mr. Beaver in THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE at Artisan Center Theater and as the various characters in his one-man show THE BOOK OF JOB. ~ |
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DUSTIN SAUTTER (Lennie) is over joyed to be making his debut at ICT MainStage. He was most recently seen at Northlake College in THE CRUCIBLE as Judge Danforth. Additionally for Northlake College, he has portrayed Cletis/LONESTAR, Will/Bus Stop, and Big Daddy/CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. He can also be seen entertaining and educating elementary level children as King Author/THE TREASURE IN YOU. ~ |
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RANDAL SCOTT (Curley) is pleased to be making his ICT MainStage debut. He last appeared on stage at ONStage in Bedford in ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST as R. P. McMurphy. Prior to Cuckoo, he was seen in the The Met Theater’s production of FOOL FOR LOVE as Eddie. He thanks the entire cast and crew for their sacrifice and dedication for a one-of-a-kind, never-to-be-replicated work of art. ~ |
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DENNIS WEST (Candy) Beginning my theater career in set construction, I am thrilled as a new actor to have this plum role in such a great classic, especially at ICT MainStage. Previous roles include: Conductor/THE MUSIC MAN, The Renaissance Theater, Dickson, TN; Sheriff/THE HOMECOMING, Houston County Community Theater, Erin, TN; and Pa Culpepper/HARTBURN HOTEL, McKinney Performing Arts Center, McKinney, TX. ~ |
Crew
CHARLES BALLINGER (Director) is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with ICT MainStage. Mr. Ballinger is an award winning director of such productions as WEST SIDE STORY, OKLAHOMA, PHANTOM and DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE. His local credits include NUNSENSE, HARVEY, MOON OVER BUFFALO, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, A BENCH IN THE SUN, BIG RIVER and THE BOOK OF LIZ. He is the former Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Civic Theatre, the North Browrad Prop School, the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera Company and Casa Manana Musicals. Other plays directed by Mr. Ballinger include DISNEY”S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, RAGTIME, BRIGHTEN BEACH MEMOIRS, MAN OF LA MANCHA, GYPSY, LA CAGE AU FOLLES, THE KING AND I and GREASE to name a few.
ELLEN MIZENER (Scenic Design) with OF MICE AND MEN, Ellen makes her design debut at ICT. She is an award winning designer with credits in several metroplex theatres. Her work was most recently seen at ONStage in Bedford's production of DUCK HUNTER SHOOTS ANGEL. Favorite set credits include AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, URINETOWN, (for both of which she received Column Award nominations), ENCHANTED APRIL , NIGHT WATCH, MY THREE ANGELS, and A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE. She would like to thank director Charles Ballinger for the challenge he presented with his vision for this production and a very special thanks to her husband, Jeff, for his unfailing love and support.
KAREN PIERCE-BURKS (Costume Designer) has been on stage or backstage since she was 4 years old. She has worked in most of the major theatres in the area including Six Flags over Texas, Dallas Theater Center, and Creative Arts Theatre & School where she can be found most of the time these days. At CATS, she teaches Stage Makeup and Costuming. For a short time she worked in film, but found she enjoyed working with stage productions best. She would like to thank ICT and the production staff of OF MICE AND MEN for giving her the opportunity to work with this wonderful theater.
SAM NANCE (Lighting Designer) is resident lighting designer this season for ICT MainStage where his most recent work was DON’T DRESS FOR DINNER. He is the resident lighting designer for Pegasus Theatre where he has lit their innovative “living black and white” shows for a number of years as well as their more colorful presentations. Other companies that have seen his light, include the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, Dallas Theater Center, Theatre Britain, the Lois Pope Theater in Florida and Theatre Three. Shows include WOODY GUTHRIES AMERICAN SONG, THE LION IN WINTER, CATHOLIC SCHOOL GIRLS, AND A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM. He has received two Column Awards for his lighting of THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA at Theatre Three and NINE at ICT.
TOM ORTIZ (Stage Manager) dedicates this show to Rudy Seppy, a wonderful friend who for years waited and hoped for the opportunity to perform the role of George. I'm sure Rudy is watching from above smiling and critiquing as to whether he would have been a better George. Here's to you my friend. I hope we do it justice.
Auditions
Directed by Charles Ballinger
Sunday, November 8, 2009 from 2 - 4pm
Monday, November 9, 2009 from 7 - 9pm
Performances: January 15 - 30, 2010
Call 972-594-6104 to schedule an appointment.
Roles: 9 Male, 1 Female
(all roles are available)
