The Playcrafters Barn Theatre's production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice & Men begins with a scene in which Cody Johnson's George and Ed Villarreal's Lenny share a slow and (mostly) gentle conversation about their plans to work as ranch hands, and their dreams of using their money to buy their own piece of land and "live off the fat" of it. The patient way in which Johnson, with obvious compassion, speaks with Villarreal's not-so-bright Lenny leaves no doubt as to George's sincere concern for his daft companion, and Lenny's wide-eyed trust, shown as he hangs onto every word George says, suggests the loving connection Lenny has with George. Their relationship is immediately both clear and touching, and sets the foundation for the deeply emotional events that transpire through the course of this story.
Ed Villarreal deserves plenty of props for successfully completing a 90-minute monologue without any noticeable flubs - and with a few audience-specific ad libs - during Friday's performance of The Agony & the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs at the District Theatre. Memorizing and delivering an hour-and-a-half's worth of text is no small feat, let alone delivering it with the inflections and nuance that Villarreal does.Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts
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