‘Of Mice and Men’
Robert Kelly’s gentle control of this 75-year-old Steinbeck classic brings in performances worthy of all tributes in the theatre. An inspired cast brings to life men surviving on companionship and hope in a time where there is little given and nothing to spare.
George (Jos Viramontes) and Lennie (AJ Meijer) move from job to job as farm workers seeking a few dollars here and there to eat, keep a roof over their heads and save a small portion for a place of their own. It’s a simple dream almost within reach.
Lennie a mentally childlike gentle giant with Sampson-like strength. He is constantly rescued by George since he doesn’t know how to control his strength or thoughts. Anything small and furry ends up accidentally meeting its end. All they have is each other, and George’s love for Lennie is unyielding.
They stumble into the latest job in a bunkhouse and we meet sensible Slim (Chad Deverman), rough Carlson (Michael Ray Wisely) and tender, grizzled Candy (Gary Martinez), who operates the machinery with one hand since he lost the other on the farm and was reimbursed $250.
There is Curley (Harold Pierce), the boss’s spoiled son with an uncontrollable temper, and Curley’s young wife (Lena Hart), who has flying, teasing hormones. (Steinbeck did not give her a name.)
Then there is Crooks (Charles Branklyn), the black hand that lives in another area and is treated like an outsider because of his race.
Steinbeck took this hodgepodge of characters and turned it into his most successful book. At one point, the first half of the draft was chewed up by his young pup and had to be rewritten.
This production of “Of Mice And Men” will deeply touch the soul and should not be missed.
‘In The Heights’
“In The Heights” was nominated for 13 Tonys in 2008 and won four: best musical, best original score, best choreography and best orchestrations. It was also voted a finalist for the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for drama. With all these pluses, this show comes with high recommendations.
The story takes us on a journey around three days in lives of people who live in the Washington Heights of New York City.
With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Maranda (written when he was a sophomore in college in 1999), and after much revamping and put in the hands of a prima director and choreographer, “In The Heights” opened to rave reviews on Broadway in 2008 and ran sold out until 2011. With “free style rap,” bodegas and salsa numbers, its upbeat attraction keep audiences absorbed.
For an upbeat lesson in why “In The Heights” is a joy to watch, go and be elated.
Where: Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View
Through: April 29
Details: (650) 463-1960 or visit ww.theatreworks.org.
Where: Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose
Through: April 22
Details: (408) 792-4111 or visit www.broadwaysanjose.com.
