Review: 'Of Mice and Men' by Landmark Community Theatre

Dedicated to the Thomaston High School students who were able to come to the Opera House to support this wonderful cast

Thomaston, CT - An excellent production of OF MICE AND MEN opened to a rapt school audience on Friday at the Thomaston Opera House. The novella was written by John Steinbeck; it tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers, who move around California in search of new job opportunities during the Great Depression.

“Steinbeck wants his audience to have clear pictures--images of what it was to be a migrant worker in California during the Depression. But he also provides us with intensely raw depictions of friendship, isolation, loneliness, hope, racism, social devisiveness, and mental impairment...our unrest around these societal themes has not changed in the past century.” - Lucia Dressel, director of OF MICE AND MEN

Director Lucia Dressel (CUCKOO’S NEST, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK) pointed out to the high school students that the book for the play was written by John Steinbeck himself and was not adapted by another writer. The director is a full time English Professor/Program Chair at Post University and a published author. Ms. Dressel directed her cast with a keen eye to the details and the rise and fall of the action. Rob Richnavsky, whose work has been seen at Phoenix Stage, The Warner and more, was the fight choreographer for the actors; the violent scenes were convincing but not horrific. Andrea Bingham was the production manager and kindly allowed me to attend the school matinee.

Ian Diedrich gave can only be called a “brilliant” performance in the role of Lennie. Mr. Diedrich played McMurphy in CUCKOO’S NEST with Landmark, John Wilkes Booth in ASSASSINS at the Warner. He gave Lennie a level of mental disability without going over the top and often made us smile; I was so proud of this young actor’s work in this classic piece.

Rob Girardin (George Bailey in WONDERFUL LIFE, Buddy in THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY) performed equally well in his role as George, adding an admirable strength to his character.

Lou Guertin returned to the TOH stage and was great as Slim. Ryan Wantroba, who serves on the board of directors for both Hole in the Wall Theater and Backyard Theatre Ensemble, did very well in the role of Curley and Erin Shaughnessy (Miss Honey in MATILDA) held her own as the only woman in the cast in the role billed as Curley’s Wife. Will Jeffries made his mark in the role of Candy in his LCT debut, with the cheerful Nathan Jeffries at his side; he elicited “awws” at his entrance in the role of Candy’s Dog. Nathan makes his first appearance on any stage in this role; he hails from Tennessee and is thought to be a border collie.

“Special thanks to Miss Lucia for the gig, and to the old man who always seems to be next to him.” - Nathan Jeffries in his program bio

I couldn’t miss Chuck Stango, usually seen in more comedic roles with Landmark, in the role of Carlson and Chris Simo-Kinzer (CUCKOO’S NEST at PSC) played Whit. The very busy Wes Baldwin covered the role of “Boss.” Justin Henry (Tom Robinson in MOCKINGBIRD) and Don Atkinson share the role of Crooks. It was difficult for today’s audience to hear the n word in the script.

Christine Mitchell-Robinson was the stage manager. Christine Holmes, who now works with Watertown High School, designed the era- appropriate costumes and worked some magic to make Lennie appear larger than life. Lighting designed by Dylan Norris added to the mood of the already wonderful set built by master carpenter Peter Bard. The first set change that brought the bunkhouse to the TOH stage was very impressive, but the others were just as good. The scenic artists were David Verdosci and Bob Brophy. I met the lovely daughters of Mr. Verdosci before the show began. Kristine Santovasi made her debut as the property mistress. There was some appropriate incidental music of the period that helped the story come to life.

“Thank you on behalf of the cast and crew, for attending; we hope you will reinforce the message of tolerance. As Mr. Steinbeck reminds us, ‘try to understand men. If you understand each other you will be kind to each other. Knowing a man well never leads to hate and almost always lead to love.’” - Lucia Dressel in her Director’s Note

Thank you to the Landmark staff for allowing me to attend the school performance for my review.

LCT is still open for business! Come see "Of Mice and Men" this weekend - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. This might be your only chance to catch this incredible show! We have been diligently disinfecting the theater and are adhering to Governor Lamont's group restrictions of 200 people or less. We will have plenty of room for you to spread out and have hand sanitizer and tissues located at the main door. Call the box office at 860-283-6250 or visit their website to reserve your seats today!
https://tickets.landmarkcommunitytheatre.org/Theat…/1/login…

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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