BWW Reviews: OF MICE AND MEN Is Compelling at Blank Canvas

OF MICE AND MEN compelling at Blank Canvas

Roy Berko
(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

There is a new theatre in town…Blank Canvas. Founder Patrick Ciamacco explains that this is a professional theatre which pays designers and actors for their services. He states that the organization's staff is "dedicated to providing a positive working environment and want to show loyalty and investment in actors."

Ciamacco states, "it is our goal to create a new love for theater in people who might not usually see a show. That was why we opened with THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MUSICAL. We saw a large number of non-typical theater people. We'll always have one show in our season that fits this criteria. We want to create a versatile season that appeals to many different people."

The company's opening show, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MUSICAL, was well received. Their latest staging is OF MICE AND MEN.

John Steinbeck's novella, OF MICE AND MEN, which was written in 1937, is required reading in many high schools. Not in all, however, because some religious zealots believe that the "offensive" language of the book, is not fit for teenagers. Too bad for those who miss out because it is a well-written and meaningful piece of literature. The play version follows closely the book's plot.

Steinbeck knew well the migrant laborers of the depression days. Mainly white, poor, and solitary, they travelled the country seeking work. The men were mainly frustrated over their working conditions and often dreamed of having a small place of their own, where they didn't have to work for someone else and take orders from bosses who were often as miserable as themselves. Steinbeck worked on a company-owned ranch, so he writes from personal experience.

OF MICE AND MEN basically tells the story of George Milton and Lennie Small, who wander California in search of work. They dream of getting enough money to buy a small ranch site they know is available. Much like the Robert Burns poem "To A Mouse," which reads, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men, often go awry,' the men's plans often get destroyed.

George and Lennie are best friends. George is smart, not from book learning, but filled with common sense. Lennie is anything but the small stature his last name indicates. He is large, has great strength, but limited intelligence. A creature of emotional drives, he is childlike in his obsession for touching soft things. When he touches softness, whether it be mice, rabbits, puppies or cloth, he can lose rational control. The living things he touches often, because of his strength and uncontrolled emotions, wind up dead.

George attempts to protect Lennie from the world around him. Lennie makes George's life meaningful by giving him someone who needs him.

The duo finds works at a ranch, working under the supervision of the ill-willed Curley, the boss's son. Just when the duo's hopes for getting their little farm seem to be within reach, Curley's beautiful, but unhappy wife, becomes the innocent victim of Lennie's compassion, and true tragedy strikes on several fronts.

Presented on a thrust stage surrounded by only three rows of seats, the entire staging is close and personal. For this closeness to work, the production must be realistic. Under the careful direction of Patrick Ciamacco, the Blank Canvas's production is compelling. Everything from the realistic fight scenes, to the clear character development, is on-target. Laughter or emotional gasps from the audience at key moments, clearly reflect the quality of the show. More than one handkerchief was pulled out at the concluding blackout.

Ciamacco, who not only directs, has designed the sets, serves as technical director, created the program, and conceived the poster design, makes Lennie live. This is not a portrayal, this is a case of immersing yourself into a part so much that you become the person. He walks the fine line between being childish and child-like with precision. He creates a man-child who the audience wants to cuddle and save from himself.

Joe Kenderes as George, is Ciamacco's equal. He is totally believable in creating a man who says that he would be better off alone, but who cares so greatly for Lennie that he would do about anything to save the hulking man of limited abilities from pain.

Tim Tvcar as Candy, the old man who lost his hand in a ranch accident, sees no personal future, Noah Hbrek, as the hateful insecure Curley, Betsy Kahl, Curley's lonely wife who finds herself isolated and wanting only "someone to talk to," Daniel Bush, as a rational mule man, Lucas Scattergood (Carlson), William Goff (Whit), John Polk (The Boss), and Marvin Mallory (Crooks), are all excellent. Even Riley, who portrays Candy's aged dog, has great stage presence.

Roy Berko, a life-long Clevelander, holds degrees, through the doctorate from Kent State, University of Michigan and The Pennsylvania State University. Roy was an actor for many years, appearing in more than 16 plays, 8 TV commercials, and 3 films. He has directed more than 30 productions. A member of the American Critics Association, the Dance Critics Association and The Cleveland Critics Circle, he has been an entertainment reviewer for more than twenty years. For many years he was a regular on Channel 5, ABC-Cleveland's "Morning Exchange" and "Live on 5," serving as the stations communication consultant. He has also appeared on "Good Morning America." Roy served as the Director of Public Relations for the Volunteer Office in the White House during the first Clinton Administration. He is a professor of communication and psychology who taught at George Washington University, University of Maryland, Notre Dame College of Ohio and Towson University. Roy is the author of 31 books. Several years ago, he was selected by Cleveland Magazine as one of the most interesting people in Cleveland.

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