Acclaimed Acting Company presents Steinbeck classic at WSU

Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012

Christopher Michael McFarland and Joseph Midyett in The Acting Company’s 'Of Mice
and Men.' (Photo by Richard Termine)

PULLMAN, Wash. – One of the most widely read stories in America, John Steinbeck’s "Of Mice and Men,” will be performed by The Acting Company at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in Jones Theatre, Daggy Hall, Washington State University as part of the WSU Performing Arts (WSUPA) 2012-2013 Main Stage theatrical series.

Written as both a novella and play script, "Of Mice and Men” tells the tragic story of two California migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression. George and Lennie dream of making enough money to buy a place of their own. Lennie is a little boy in the body of a man. George is ever cautious of his insecure, gentle giant of a friend, who is unaware of his own dangerous strength.

"This production looks, sounds and smells like the worker of the 1930s,” said Ian Belknap, the play’s director and associate artistic director of The Acting Company. "However, this play could be set yesterday, today or tomorrow.

"The context of our world has changed but our daily life values remain the same,” said Belknap. "‘Of Mice and Men’ fascinates audiences as it shows us ourselves and speaks to our shared human condition – to want, to love, to fear and to die.”

Founded by John Houseman and Margot Harley in 1972, The Acting Company has been hailed by the New York Times as "the major touring classical theater company in the United States.” It has brought 138 productions to 49 states and 10 foreign countries across 39 seasons and earned awards including Obies, Audelcos, Los Angeles Critics Circle Awards and a 2003 Tony Award for Excellence in Theater.

Admission to "Of Mice and Men” costs $20 adults; $16 seniors; $12 students and youth; and $10 WSU student with valid ID.

Tickets may be purchased through Ticketswest - online at http://www.ticketswest.com; by phone at 800-325-7328; or in person at all outlets including the Beasley Coliseum box office 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mon.-Fri. - or at the Daggy Hall ticket office beginning two hours before the performance. Additional fees apply to online and phone purchases.

The cast includes actors from some of the finest acting conservatories in the U.S. They were cast in New York and through Minneapolis’ Guthrie Theater Experience and its training program with the University of Minnesota.

The cast follows in the footsteps of Kevin Kline, Rainn Wilson, Patti LuPone, Jesse L. Martin, Frances Conroy, Hamish Linklater, Harriet Harris, David Ogden Stiers, Jeffrey Wright and Keith David - who all began their careers on tour with The Acting Company.

WSUPA’s 2012-2013 season features more than a dozen performances including theater, dance, musical theatre, bluegrass, jazz, classical and comedy. Find more information at http://performingarts.wsu.edu.