Of Mice and Men
The Herndon Times Review
THEATER
Elden Street Players attempt 'Of Mice and Men'
By Michael Birchenall
Weekender Theater Critic
Page A6
TIMES COMMUNITY
NEWSPAPER (The Herndon Times)
Wednesday, October 25, 2000
John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" strips away the illusions of the
American dream with a simple compelling story of the elusive quest for happiness
and equality. The power of the play comes from the simple setting and its cast
of easy to comprehend characters. Elden Street Players' (ESP) opening production
of the 2000-2001 season tackles the complexity of this classic literary work.
Unfortunately it finds itself overmatched by the Steinbeck tale of
bewilderment and struggle in the poor times of political and social upheaval in
late 1930s America.
The story focuses on two traveling farm workers, George and Lennie. George
has taken on responsibility for the mentally retarded Lennie, who constantly
seems to fall into trouble because of his childlike mind, inside the large
powerful body of a man. The men don't plan to travel forever--someday, they will
live off the "fat of the land" and have their own place to tend.
They travel along the Salinas River, carrying their only possessions--bed
rolls and a few articles of clothing. Lennie had cost them their previous jobs,
including recently, his innocent attempt to touch a young girl's red dress. She
became frightened by his size and when she screamed he became scared and
confused. Next, George and Lennie find themselves fleeing a lynch mob.
It's off to a new town and a farm where they have gotten papers for work.
George reminded Lennie once again to let him do all the talking so they wouldn't
lose the job. Lennie promised that he would, and then begged George to tell him
again about the farm they hoped to own one day. Hired on, the men are thrust
into the world of the help at the ranch and meet the wife of the son of the
owner. The synergy of the group and the far away reality of the dream creates
the tension. The play is set in motion and this is not a Disneyesque
world--strong issues make for a not so perfect resolution.
The play demands a tight, strong cast. David Fallen, director, could not pull
that off this time. The acting is uneven and, in this show, that crucial
deficiency leads to a flat production. Wayne Reusch is never quite believable as
the lead character, George. He obviously knows the part and delivers it
capably--he just couldn't ring from the role a sense of the emotion and
hopelessness of the sad wanderer.
Lennie, as played by Matthew Fielder, is large and simple. Once again,
though, Lennie cannot draw enough pain and longing from Steinbeck's words to
stimulate the conscience of the audience.
Mike Broussard plays Candy, the hired hand, who becomes the confidant of
George and Lennie. He comes closer to stirring compassion and believability.
Mike Russell, as the boss, is forceful and at ease in his role. The role of
the jealous husband, Curley, was played by Regan Wilson. He was zealous in his
treatment of rage and jealousy. Laura Russell has a clear sense of the tramp
(Curley's wife). This is a one-dimensional character built upon Steinbeck's
interpretation of a man's view of women in this environment--it's very real and
uniquely revealing.
Bruce Ward, as Slim, is a man of common sense and appreciation for the men in
his own world. He balances the mind struggle of George with a bit of sympathy.
Rickmen Parker evokes some of the imbalance of American equality as the black
hand who has to live in the barn away from his white compatriots.
"Of Mice and Men" is a naked play of common souls. You have to
strip away the defenses we all use to cope with the balance of reality and
dreams and social justice. Steinbeck gives us the raw elements. Every emotion is
revealed intimately.
Fallen's "Of Mice and Men" lacks the cohesive, powerful acting to
make this a stellar performance--leaving me with an empty feeling that we had
missed something really great.
ŠArcom Publishing Inc. - Reston/Herndon 2000
