Iron Age Theatre
&
The Centre Theater
Present


Directed and Designed by
Randall Wise & John Doyle

November 1-24
Friday - Sunday
8pm (2pm Matinee on Sunday)
in the Centre Theater

Featuring: Anthony M. Giampetro as Lennie Ray Saraceni as George Melissa diLeonardo as Curley's Wife Steve McLean as Candy Bob Weick as Slim lary moten as Crooks John Fidler as Curley Markus L. Zanders as Carlson Jared Delaney as Whit R J Timlin as The Boss Stage Manager and Scene Painter: Kate McLenigan Lighting Technician: Jamie Knobler Sound Technician: Lauren Joseph Music by Scott Radway

at the Montgomery County Cultural Center
208 Dekalb Street, Norristown

(610) 279-1013

Links of Interest
The Poem "To a Mouse" by Robert Burns which includes the inspiration for the title of Steinbeck's play.
A Great Resource for information about the Novel and its Real World Inspirations.
A Scientific Look at the Similarities between Mice and Men.
Monterey County Historical Society: John Steinbeck.
The Text of Steinbeck's Nobel Acceptance Speech.
A Page about Steinbeck
Classic Notes about the Novel.
Background on the Novel.
An Opera Based on the Novel.
Voices from the Dustbowl to the Novel.
A Brief Description of the Period with a Movie of a Dust Storm
A Student Created Survival Guide to the Novel.
A Guide to the novel

REVIEWS

Of Mice and Men is a superb piece of theater, whose worth is reaffirmed in the current Iron Age Theatre Company production at Montgomery County Cultural Center in Norristown.
As readers of the novelette will recall, Of Mice and Men revolves around Lennie, who is mentally deficient, and George, the companion who takes care of him, as the two wander through Depression-era California working on farms. With fine performances in the lead roles, a competent supporting cast, and firm, knowing direction from Randall Wise and John Doyle, this show finds the dramatic power and poignancy of the story.
At the core of the play are Lennie and George and their relationship, and it comes through strongly in portrayals by Anthony M. Giampetro and Ray Saraceni. Large and broad enough to suggest the terrific strength Lennie possesses, Giampetro offers an arresting portrait of this gentle, lovable, infantilish character. He persuasively presents the skittish, childish behavior, thought processes, and speech pattern (Steinbeck gets the language just right, too) of this mildly retarded man.
Lennie loves George unreservedly, whereas Saraceni effectively conveys both the deep affection and the resentment George feels toward Lennie. It's a touching relationship, plumbed truthfully by Steinbeck and feelingly presented by the actors.
Among the large supporting cast, two key roles are especially well played. Embodying the strain of loneliness that runs through the play, Steve McLean is touching as Candy, a farmworker who has lost a hand in an accident, whom we see lose his dog, and who briefly finds hope as he joins George and Lennie in their dream of buying their own place. Lary Moten projects the anger and bitterness of Crooks, the black stable hand who resents his racial exclusion from the camaraderie of the farm bunkhouse.
Douglas Keating
Philadelphia Inquirer

Iron Age Theatre keeps defying the odds, producing quality plays with loving care despite earning little attention from audiences in their downtown Norristown home at the Montgomery County Cultural Center.
What makes Of Mice and Men so special, though, is the fine, acting. Anthony Giampetro plays the gentle giant Lennie, and Ray Saraceni is George, his protector. The men share a sincere bond. George protects simple-minded but overly strong Lennie from the world's harshness.
This carefully balanced production makes each character nakedly understandable; all are in some way wounded and lashing out, but each also has a tender side that's lovingly revealed.
This Of Mice and Men is a classic not to be missed.
Mark Cofta
Main Line Ticket

Under the direction of John Doyle and Randall Wise, with the assistance of a superb cast, this timeless story was brought to life once again.Anthony M. Giampetro and Ray Saraceni were superbly cast in the roles of Lennie and George. They vibrantly depicted the emotions of the two migrant workers and intensely demonstrated the overwhelming sadness that affected the lives of most men during that era of difficulty and dismay.
The portrayals of Lennie and George by Giampetro and Saraceni were touching and truthful, and made a new generation of viewers appreciate the profound insight of Steinbeck’s classic novel.
Their brilliant acting was supported by a firm and sensational cast including, Melissa diLeonardo (Curley’s Wife), Bob Weick (Slim), Steve McLean (Candy), John Fidler (Curley), Jared Michael Delaney (Whit), Markus Zanders (Carlson), Lary Moten (Crooks), and R.J. Timlin (The Boss).
The most riveting part of this production was the exquisite stage setting done under the talented and brilliant artistic direction of Kate McLenigan, a visually articulate and creative genius, who vividly depicted the Salinas, California countryside on the stage of the Cultural Arts Center.
The platform was complete with the migrant workers’ bunk house, Crooks’ stable quarters, a barn, forest area, and even a functioning river at the foot of the stage.
Along the walls was a carefully hand-drawn eloquent mural of the west coast farmland delicately painted by McLenigan.
Amanda Nelson
The Wingspan

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