(Charleston, SC) One of America’s most powerful and moving stories, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Of Mice and Men, Nobel Laureate John Steinbeck’s American masterpiece, is set to open at the Historic Dock Street Theatre on October 17th for a three-week run. Based on one of America’s most acclaimed novels, Of Mice and Men was adapted for the stage and originally produced on Broadway in 1937. Acclaimed film adaptations followed featuring such actors as Burgess Meredith (1939) and John Malkovich and Gary Sinise (1992). The most recent Broadway revival of Of Mice and Men in 2014 starring James Franco earned a Tony award nomination for his co-star Chris O’Dowd.

Of Mice and Men is a powerful portrait of the American spirit and a heartbreaking testament to the bonds of friendship. Set on a California ranch in the 1930’s, Of Mice and Men chronicles a few days in the lives of two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small. While trying to make a better life for themselves in the desperate days of the Great Depression, they find work at last and with their earnings begin to dream of a ranch of their own. A journey of friendship and hope on the road to the American dream, Of Mice and Men continues to be a part of our country's collective imagination. Labeled "a masterpiece" by Time Magazine and "powerfully moving" by the Wall Street Journal, Of Mice and Men is must-see theatre for those who treasure timeless, compelling storytelling.

The cast of Of Mice and Men features (in the two iconic roles) Resident Professional Actor Colin Waters as the childlike migrant worker, Lennie, and Acting Ensemble Member Jesse Siak as his quick-witted friend, George. Acting Ensemble members Victor Clark will play the aging ranch handyman, Candy, along with Chad Estel as The Boss. Resident Professional Actors Sergio de la Espriella and Sara Sanderson (recent stars of Mamma Mia!) will play Curley and his wife. They are joined by Resident Professional Actors Patrick Brett as the mule driver, Slim, and Brian Nabors as the ranch-hand, Carlson. Rounding out the cast are E. Domonique Henry as the stable-hand, Crooks, and Aaron Andrews as the ranch-hand, Whit.

The production team includes, Marybeth Clark, Director; Cody Rutledge, Set Designer/Scenic Charge; Marianne Custer, Guest Costume Designer; Jamie-Brooke Ruggio, Lighting Designer; Courtney Gomez Odom, Properties Master; Luke Walchuk, Original Music and Sound Designer; Amanda Calcutt, Stage Manager; Ashley Palmer, Production Stage Manager; Rafael Colon Castanera, Production Manager; and Robert Graham, Technical Director.

John Ernst Steinbeck Jr.

(February 27, 1902 to December 20, 1968) was a Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist and the author of Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, and East of Eden. Steinbeck dropped out of college and worked as a manual laborer before achieving success as a writer. His works often dealt with social and economic issues. His 1939 novel, The Grapes of Wrath, about the migration of a family from the Oklahoma Dust Bowl to California, won a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award. Steinbeck served as a war correspondent during World War II, and he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

Of Mice and Men Fun Facts

An early draft of John Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men was eaten by his dog.
John Steinbeck’s original title for his classic novella, Of Mice and Men, was Something That Happened.
Of Mice and Men is one of the most commonly read books in American Schools.

October 17th: “Of Mice and Men.” Presented by Charleston Stage at Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street; By John Steinbeck; Direction by Marybeth Clark; Lead Title Sponsor: Dr. and Mrs. Fred E. Pittman. Nobel Laureate, John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play is a portrait of the American spirit and a heartbreaking testament to the bonds of friendship. Set on a California ranch in the 1930’s, Of Mice and Men chronicles a few days in the lives of two migrant workers, George Milton and Lennie Small. While trying to make a better life for themselves in the desperate days of the Great Depression, they find work at last and with their earnings begin to dream of a ranch of their own. Oct. 17, Oct. 19-20, Oct. 25-27, Nov. 1-3 at 7:30pm and Oct. 21, 28 and Nov. 4 at 3:00pm. $33.75 - $66.75 for Adults, $31.75 - $66.75 for Seniors (60+) and $28.75 - $66.75 for Students (Ages 3-25) and Active Military. Tickets available online 24/7 at www.charlestonstage.com. Tickets by phone available Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm (Also open Sa 1pm-5pm show weeks only) by calling (843) 577-7183.

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CHARLESTON STAGE'S OF MICE AND MEN FACT SHEET

Theatre

The Historic Dock Street Theatre (135 Church Street)

OF MICE AND MEN Performance Dates:

Oct. 17             Wed    7:30pm *PNC Pay-As-You-Please
Oct. 19             Fri        7:30pm **Opening Night
Oct. 20             Sat       7:30pm
Oct. 21             Sun      3:00pm
Oct. 25             Thu      7:30pm
Oct. 26             Fri        7:30pm
Oct. 27             Sat       7:30pm
Oct. 28             Sun      3:00pm
Nov. 1             Thu      7:30pm
Nov. 2             Fri        7:30pm
Nov. 3             Sat       7:30pm
Nov. 4             Sun      3:00pm

OF MICE AND MEN Prices:

Adults $33.75 - $66.75
Seniors (60+) $31.75 - $66.75
Students (Ages 3-25) and Active Military $28.75 - $66.75

OF MICE AND MEN Tickets Now On Sale:

Order by Phone (843) 577-7183

Order online at www.charlestonstage.com

Group Rates Available: Call Mary Adkins, Box Office Manager, at (843) 647-7365

Student Rush: College student tickets, with proof of valid ID, are $10 one hour before curtain (subject to availability)

OF MICE AND MEN Designer Credits:
By John Steinbeck
Direction by Marybeth Clark
Costume Design by Marianne Custer
Scenic Design/Scenic Charge by Cody Rutledge
Properties Design by Courtney Gomez Odom
Lighting Design by Jamie-Brooke Ruggio
Sound Design by Luke Walchuk

OF MICE AND MEN Lead Title Sponsor:Dr. and Mrs. Fred E. Pittman

OF MICE AND MEN Cast (In Alphabetical Order):

Slim PATRICK BRETT

Candy VICTOR CLARK

Candy’s Dog JESSE

The Boss CHAD ESTEL

Curley SERGIO DE LA ESPRIELLA

Crooks E. DOMONIQUE HENRY

Carlson BRIAN NABORS

Curley's Wife SARA SANDERSON

Whit AARON ANDREWS

George JESSE SIAK

Lennie COLIN WATERS