Original language English | Date premiered November 23, 1937 | |
Setting An agricultural valley in Northern California | ||
Of Mice and Men is a play adapted from John Steinbeck's 1937 novel of the same name. The play, which predates the Tony Awards and the Drama Desk Awards, earned the 1938 New York Drama Critics' Circle Best Play.
Contents
Background
The 1937 production opened while the novel was still on best seller lists. At the time, George S. Kaufman was the top director in the country.
Plot
George, an affable migrant farm worker, and Lennie, a towering simple-minded pleasantly humble young man, are the subjects. They are bound by George's devotion and Lennie's "pathetic helplessness". George's guardianship keeps Lennie out of trouble, but we soon see this is a slippery slope. Lennie's displays of love result in several deaths ranging from mice and puppies to a beautiful woman. Eventually, in the face of a lynch mob, George kills Lennie to put him out of his misery.
Productions
Steinbeck adapted the play from the novel.
The play had its world premiere circa October 1937 by the San Francisco Theatre Union The play premiered on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on November 23, 1937 and closed in May 1938 after 207 performances. Directed by George S. Kaufman, the cast starred Broderick Crawford as Lennie and Wallace Ford as George. In 1939 the production was moved to Los Angeles, still with Wallace Ford in the role of George, but with Lon Chaney, Jr., taking on the role of Lennie. Chaney's performance in the role resulted in his casting in the movie.
There have been several revivals, with another Broadway revival scheduled for 2014, directed by Anna D. Shapiro with James Franco (George), Chris O'Dowd (Lennie)and Leighton Meester (Curley’s Wife).
By the Book Theatre's production won 6 Brickenden Awards including Outstanding Drama, Director, Set Design, Actor, Supporting Actor, and Lighting Design.
Historical casting
The following tables show the casts of the principal original productions:
Awards
The production was chosen as Best Play in 1938 by the New York Drama Critics' Circle. The 2014 production earned two Tony Award nominations at the 68th Tony Awards (O'Dowd—Leading Actor and Japhy Weideman—Lighting Design).
Critical review
Brooks Atkinson of The New York Times wrote "...Steinbeck has caught on paper two odd and lovable farm vagrants whose fate is implicit in their characters."