Of Mice and Men Opens at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor.
A strong production of John Steinbeck’s OF MICE AND MEN, directed by Joe Minutillo, opened on November 14 at Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts. Literature Live performances will be held at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor with public performances on Friday’s and Saturday’s November 13-14, 20-21, and Thanksgiving Weekend November 27-28 at 7 pm. Matinees are on Sunday, November 15 at 2 pm and Thanksgiving Weekend Saturday, November 28 at 2 pm. Groups and weekday show times vary and are open to the public based on availability. Tickets are on sale now at the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or online at www.baystreet.org.
The cast is made up of many local actors from Shelter Island, East Hampton, Hampton Bays and Calverton who have participated in a variety of programs at Bay Street Theater, as well as actors from New York City. The cast includes Preston Truman Boyd (Lennie), Joe Pallister (George), Terry Brockbank (Candy), Josh Gladstone (Boss), Jon Kovach (Curley), J. Stephen Brantley (Slim), Georgia Warner (Curley’s Wife), Sawyer Spielberg (Whit), William Sturek (Carlson), and Chauncy Thomas (Crooks). Many of the cast members have participated in Literature Live productions such asTo Kill a Mockingbird, The Crucible, and The Diary of Anne Frank, as well as in Bay Street’s Mainstage productions. The terrifically inventive set by Gary Hygom incorporated diverse locations from a river bank, to a bunkhouse, a stable room and a barn. Fight direction is by Rick Sordelet.
With Literature Live Bay Street Theater is offering FREE Student Ticket Initiative for all students. Schools have the opportunity to bring students to the theater to get a unique understanding of the subject matter by witnessing the characters from great plays and novels living and breathing and telling their stories right before their eyes. Literature Live has served students from Wyandanch to Montauk.
"Since the start of this program seven years ago, we’ve brought nearly 10,000 students from 53 schools across Long Island," said Tracy Mitchell, Bay Street Theater’s Executive Director. "In working to ensure that theater remains accessible, this year we are once again offering the Free Student Ticket Initiative. And we’ve seen a large jump in the number of students attending because of it. I hope everyone will take advantage of this opportunity."
John Steinbeck’s classic American novel, OF MICE AND MEN is a compelling tale of friendship and survival in the time of the Great Depression. George and Lennie are two migrant farm workers who dream of one day owning their own piece of land. But when Lennie gets too close to the wife of the boss’s son, George must choose between protecting his friend and staying the course towards his version of the American Dream. Steinbeck was a proud resident of Sag Harbor.
OF MICE AND MEN follows the themes of strength and weakness, while playing on the idea of the American Dream and how most in the novel never get to experience the life they hoped they would live. During the time of the Great Depression, people worked toward what they saw as the American Dream in an effort to overcome poverty. The novel and play explore human nature in regards to isolation and loneliness. Steinbeck reveals through the play that oppression comes not only from the powerful and strong, but also from the meek and poor. The struggle of power and isolation is still relevant to students today. The fully-staged professional production and its supporting programming offer students the unique opportunity to explore this classic tale and its themes in a variety of ways.
"The entire experience is supported with teacher-developed Common Core-aligned lesson plans and reference materials available for use immediately upon booking," says Ava Locks, Bay Street Theater’s Director of Education.
In addition to the performances, audience members can begin to explore a more detailed history of Steinbeck in Sag Harbor and of conditions of migrant workers on the East End during the Great Depression through post-show talkbacks and Q&A sessions. For select performances, speakers from the Long Island Parent Center, John Jermain Library, and the International Society of Steinbeck Scholars will explore topics that include Steinbeck’s writings, The Great Depression, and the acceptance of people with visible and invisible disabilities.
Bay Street Theater will also collaborate with local organizations and artists to additionally enhance audience members’ experience. In addition to the speakers, Bay Street Theater is partnering with The Bridgehampton Museum (The Bridgehampton Historical Society), who will provide historical artifacts that will anchor the exhibit’s themes of farming and migrant workers on the East End. In addition, The Roger Memorial Library will provide historic audio and visual files (Talking Histories) of local farm families. Images and graphs will be displayed in order to illustrate the impact of the Great Depression both locally and globally. Canio’s Books will provide an East End and Steinbeck centric presence in the lobby with merchandise for purchase.
In addition, the lobby will also include information about the theater production process by explaining the terminology and showing images and sketches from the rehearsal process through the show’s opening. The seven year history of Literature Live will be exhibited through pictures and a map of participating local and regional schools.
All Students are FREE with a valid ID and adults $27-50. To book groups or to buy single tickets, call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 or buy online at www.baystreet.org. The Box Office is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.
Bay Street Theater is proud to announce that the Century Arts Foundation has provided a challenge grant that will match donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000 in order to continue the FREE STUDENT TICKET INITIATIVE, which allows students to attend performances for free.
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Photography Opening Night: Barry Gordin
