It would be difficult to imagine a better rendering of John Steinbeck's 1937 classic Of Mice and Men than this revival, the second offering of a group called Cyclops Productions. Under Pat Diamond's taut direction, the story unfolds with the compelling inevitability of Greek tragedy. Strongly drawn performances throughout the 10-person cast underscore the veracity of Steinbeck's firsthand knowledge of the mise en scène — California ranch life in the 1930s, the years of the Great Depression — and his passionate affinity for society's underdogs.
In his two central characters, Steinbeck also illuminates the grace of friendship and human interdependence in a hardscrabble world of loners. The wary, hard-edged George is the committed caretaker of the hulking, feeble-minded Lenny, whose fondness for soft things — velvet, puppies, etc. — leads to the pair's downfall. Fate finally catches up with them when they sign on as workers on a corporate-owned ranch run by the stern but benevolent Boss and his pugnacious son Curley, who is fraught with jealousy caused by his flirtatious new wife.
Douglas Taurel creates a multilayered George whose taciturn nature and harsh rein on Lenny give way movingly when he talks about his dream of their someday having their own place, being their own boss. Tony F. DeVito is equally affecting in revealing the essential sweetness of Lenny, along with the confusion of his mind and threat of his strength. Among the other fine performances, Elizabeth A. Davis captures the little-girl loneliness and winsome sexuality of Curley's wife, and James Broderick is extremely touching as Candy, the aged ranch hand who wants to join George and Lenny in their dream.
The solid, uncredited sets, the lighting by Scott Bolman, and the costumes by Christie Carroll all add strongly to the atmosphere of place and period. Also noteworthy are the obviously unreal props — or sometimes no props at all — used to represent the various little creatures Lenny likes to fondle. The actors' belief makes the creatures totally real.
Presented by Cyclops Productions
at Urban Stages, 259 W. 30th St., NYC.
May 10-26. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. (Sat., May 26, matinee at 3 p.m.)
(212) 868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.