“Serenade and Of Mice and Men”- Joffrey Ballet

[rating=5] There is always something special at the Joffrey Ballet. Every production they take on is unique and different. As I have said for years, a play seen is not always a play seen. Every stage is different, every director interprets things a little differently and each stage is unique. This also holds true for the ballet. Prior to today’s production, the audience was treated to a discussion of how they made “Of Mice and Men” into a ballet. The Serenade portion of the bill was also talked about but more about the late George Balachine and his choreography. The Joffrey, under the staging of Deborah Wingert is using his work for the production. The gentleman in front of me was elated to hear this. It is a marvelous piece that is true ballet, the way you expect a company like the Joffrey to bring to its audiences.

The second half of the production is the one that I was most curious about. Back in the 1960’s, while attending Goodman School ( a part of the Art Institute back then), I was given the role of Lennie in a student production. How can Lenny be portrayed in a “western” atmosphere, and on his toes, dancing? The story by John Steinbeck is about two men, George and Lennie Lennie is strong. but somewhat slow. George relies on Lenny for his strength but loves him like a brother. Lenny is in trouble often, but cannot avoid the things that bring him there. It all began in Weed. They were working with the migrant workers. Lennie saw the lady in the red dress. He always was taken aback by a beautiful woman. George and Lennie took off before the townspeople could do Lennie harm. They moved on, camped for the night and George, as always, reminded Lenny about the dream they shared of a future in their own house on their own land where Lenny could have lots of rabbits. He loved touching their soft fur.

They got to the next town and found work quickly. Lennie could do the work of many men and so he and George were taken on right away. Their new boss had a son, Curly who had a wife.  Curley was very jealous and his wife was very lonely. She needed to be among people even though Curley was against it. What happens is just as in the book and when it comes out, George and Lennie are faced with another situation where they would need to run. If not, Lennie would face a jealous husband who might just bring more pain on him than George could bear to see. George finds a solution to his problem. He will never have to see his friend, his “brother” lennie suffer at the hands of Curley and his men.

The films of this book have been amazing as is the play. I doubted that they could tell the story in a one hour Ballet but Cathy Marston and the Joffrey Company accompanied by the Lyric Opera Orchestra succeeded.

It will close on May 8th so check quickly at www.joffrey.org

Price: $35-$199

Show Type: Performance Art

Box Office: 312-332-2244

Running Time: 2hrs

www.joffrey.org

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Serenade and Of Mice and Men” at the Joffrey