By Elizabeth Hulsbrink
Geneseo Current
If you have ever read John Steinbeck’s 1937 classic, “Of Mice and Men” you might remember the story- George and Lennie find themselves working on a ranch, where they encounter various characters, including Candy, Slim, Curley (the boss's aggressive son), and Crooks, the isolated black stable hand. The story explores themes of friendship, dreams, loneliness, and the harsh realities of life during the Great Depression. But what you might not remember is how those characters interacted, how they fed into each other, how each one couldn’t exist without the other. THAT is exactly what director Justin Raver brought to life on the stage of Richmond Hill Players!
When you enter the only theater in the round within 150 miles, you will find yourself drawn back to the 1930s in the agricultural valley of Northern California, along the Salinas River in the small town of Soledad. Birds and insects singing, the gentle wind whispering through the brush, bluegrass music quietly playing in the distance, and two travelers (migrant field workers), George and Lennie, find themselves stopping for the night. The two share a deep bond and dream of one day owning their own piece of heaven where they can “live off the fat of the land.”
Nothing is simple about this story. And time and time again we have seen theater troupes try to tackle this particular play, but oftentimes they fall flat. However, the vision of Justin Raver, with the help of Megan McConville and Jennifer Kingry, not only brought the story to life, they told it in such a way that we as the audience were completely drawn in! The stage connection between actors Kevin Maynard (George) and Matthew McConville (Lennie) proved to display incredible chemistry, complementing each other's performances seamlessly. Then add the dynamic energy of Patrick Kelley (Candy), elevating the entire production. Their interplay was so natural and engaging adding richness and depth to the play, making it a truly captivating experience.
A few new faces to Richmond Hill Players (Lily Blouin, Zack Sullivan, and Anthony Mitchell) as well as some seasoned veterans (Mike Skiles, Kevin Keck, Glenn Kluge, and Julian Totton), filled in the rest of the story. Their contributions added layers to the performance, enriching the production and creating a balanced ensemble. Of course, the special guest appearance by “Kane”, a 9-year-old German Shepherd dog owned by Matt Escoto, was the final element needed to make “Of Mice and Men” truly powerful.
Do not hesitate to see this show- buy your tickets before it sells out. “Tell me about the rabbits, George.”