Lindenwood Presents 'Of Mice And Men'

The Lindenwood University Theatre Department will present John Steinbeck's Depression-era classic Of Mice and Men as its second summer theater production.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. and runs Thursday-Saturday, July 28-30, in the university’s Emerson Black Box Theater located in the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts, 2300 West Clay St. in St. Charles. Admission is free.

The production is directed by graduate student Connie Vaught as part of her master's thesis. "The last few shows I've directed have been comedies, so I thought it was time to do something more serious."

Of Mice and Men was published as a novel and a play in 1937. Set in 1930s California, it is the story of two drifters—George and Lennie. Lennie is a giant man but has the mental capacity of a 4-year-old. He's a gentle soul who doesn't know his own strength. When the two friends find work at a ranch, there is hope that they can finally live in peace.

A staple of literature classes, it was while substitute teaching at Winfield Middle School that Vaught came up with the idea for her next theatrical project.

"It struck me while teaching it last spring that I thought it would make a good show," she said. "Steinbeck isn't easy at the best of times, but it would be challenging enough to make a good master's thesis."

One challenge was finding the right actor to play Lennie, a character that must be physically imposing while mentally infantile. "It's difficult to find a Lennie, but I had someone in mind," Vaught said.

"I had a professor in my first acting class here who impressed me greatly," Vaught said. "When reading Of Mice and Men I realized Nick would make a tremendous Lennie if we could get the mannerisms down pat. He grasped it before I did."

Nick Kelly, a professor of theater at Lindenwood, was up to the challenge. "I was very honored she thought of me to play the role," he said. "Before I got into acting, back in high school, Of Mice and Men was one of those literary assignments I really enjoyed. Lennie was one of those roles at some point I wanted to try and play.

"I've played several mentally challenged people before. I went with Lennie being autistic. He has the mind of a 4-year-old. He talks like a baby, there are different physicalities to deal with and the voice—it's been an interesting process. Lennie is such a famous character, there's a real responsibility with the role and doing it justice."

Aaron Allen plays the role of George, Lennie's best friend and companion. "Aaron and I have worked together the past 11 years. He's also one of my best friends," Kelly said. "It really helps with that relationship. I'm always comfortable playing with Aaron."

The cast also includes Larry D. Quiggins, Fred Bittick, Peter Banholzer, Becca Helms, Jason Puff, Adam Martinez, Dan Alder and Parth Patel. Assisting with the production are stage manager Don Krull, technical director Tim Poertner, scenic and light designer Pippin McGowan, costume designer Donna Northcott, props mistress Krista Tettaton and sound designer Drew Mattney.

"Steinbeck is not easy to read or easy to understand," Vaught said. "Steinbeck's characters are very full, very deep and very real. It's the actors in this show that make it what it is. We have a pretty phenomenal cast."

For more information call the Lindenwood University Box Office at 636-949-4433.