Starry Of Mice and Men, Featuring James Franco and Chris O’Dowd, Begins Performances

Three stars of the screen are in the wings, ready to make their Broadway debuts on March 19 as Of Mice and Men begins previews at the Longacre Theatre.

Oscar nominee James Franco, Chris O’Dowd and Leighton Meester lead the cast of the stage adaptation of the classic John Steinbeck novella. This is the first time the play will have been on Broadway in 40 years.

Of Mice and Men tells the story of two migrant workers: George (Franco), a sharp but uneducated, short-tempered man, and Lennie (O'Dowd), a large but simple-minded man. Together they hope to one day acquire their own piece of land. But when Lennie stirs up trouble on the job, George must choose between protecting his friend or continuing to strive for the American dream.

Additional cast members include Tony winner Jim Norton, Ron Cephas Jones, Alex Morf, Joel Marsh Garland, James McMenamin, Jim Ortlieb, Jim Parrack, Michael Dempsey, Kevin Jackson, Erica Lutz and Stephen Payne.

The strictly limited engagement will open officially on April 16.