'Of Mice and Men' opens CTC's 91st season

photo The cast of Chattanooga Theatre Centre's production of "Of Mice and Men" includes, from left, Greg Rambin Sr. (Candy), Jim Eernisse (George), Sugar the dog, LaFrederick Thirkill (Crooks), E.J. Laughter (Lennie), Joanna Lewis (Curley's wife), Will Park (Curley), Lamar Bankston (The Boss), Stacy Helton (Carlson), Jacob Moore (Whit) and Austin Mull (Slim).

IF YOU GO• What: "Of Mice and Men"• When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Oct. 3-4, 10-11, 17-18; 7 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 9 and 16; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 12 and 19• Where: Chattanooga Theatre Centre, 400 River St.• Admission: $25 Fridays and Saturdays; $25 in center section, $12.50 on sides Thursdays or Sundays• Phone: 423-267-8534• Website: TheatreCentre.comSPECIAL EVENTS• Friday, Oct. 3: Opening night gala, 7 p.m.• Thursday, Oct. 9: Real-time captioning for deaf/hard-of-hearing patrons• Friday, Oct. 10: Ghost Light Session following performance• Friday, Oct. 17: Brewer Media Girls Night OutSTILL TO COME THIS SEASON• Nov. 7-23: "Fantastic Mr. Fox," youth production, Circle Theatre• Dec. 5-23: "A Christmas Story, the Musical," MainStage• Feb. 13-March 1: Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," MainStage• March 13-29: Festival of New Plays, MainStage and Circle Theatre• April 24-May 3: "Miss Nelson Is Missing," youth production, MainStage• June 12-28: Christopher Durang's "Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike," Circle Theatre• July 17-Aug. 2: Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," MainStage

A Chattanooga Theatre Centre veteran and a newcomer to the stage will play the lead roles in John Steinback's powerful drama "Of Mice and Men" when the Chattanooga Theatre Centre opens its 91st season Friday night, Oct. 3.

Community theater veteran Jim Eernisse is portraying George Milton, a sharp-minded but uneducated man, while E.J. Laughter makes his stage debut as Lennie Small, a large, physically strong man with a simple mind. The two itinerant workers, traveling through California during the Great Depression, share a goal of owning their own piece of land one day. But Lennie's troubles will prove to be their greatest obstacle in achieving that dream.

Laughter has been an extra on the television drama "Nashville," but this is his first speaking role.

"Talk about a baptism by fire!" exclaims director Scott Dunlap. "His first time onstage, and he's playing the iconic Lennie."

Dunlap says the two leads complement each other in that the nature of their characters mirrors this life experience: In the play, George protects Lennie just as the inexperienced actor has learned from the veteran during this production.

"E.J. has no fear and does things a seasoned actor might overthink and not do. Lennie also has no fear; he approaches everything like life is not going to hurt him. Jim is a very thoughtful actor, very precise. E.J. looks up to Jim as a mentor and guide not only through their characters but as actors," Dunlap says.

Dunlap says Laughter portrays Lennie "with amazing sympathy and fragility and softness that I haven't seen anybody do before."

"George is a different character," Dunlap says of his other lead. "On the surface, he's short-tempered, but any parent or caregiver who has looked after someone who is difficult will have to sympathize. Jim displays a rawness and honesty in his portrayal of George that reminds me of (Broadway's) James Franco. Jim has a no-nonsense style that is just right for George. I'm thankful he auditioned."

Although Steinbeck wrote "Of Mice and Men" in 1937, its social issues of racism, sexism, treatment of the mentally ill and homophobia make it relevant to today's audiences.

"I saw the play on Broadway, and I was shocked to see how contemporary the language felt," says Dunlap. "We feel like we have changed so much, but, really, human interaction hasn't. People might feel it's depressing or sad, and there are elements of that, but it's actually quite funny and entertaining. Lennie is very funny in some instances. Lennie says what he thinks because he's not worried about what society says he should say or do. This is presented in such an entertaining way, it's something you will want to have coffee and talk about afterward."

Lamar Bankston plays the boss of the ranch where George and Lennie are hired. Will Park plays his son, mean-spirited Curley, and Joanna Lewis plays Curley's lonely wife.

Greg Rambin Sr. plays Candy, who fears that his days of usefulness on the ranch are nearing an end. LaFrederick Thirkill returns to the CTC as Crooks, a caustically funny man who latches on to George and Lennie's dream of owning a piece of land. Stacy Helton as Carlson, Jacob Moore as Whit and Austin Mull as Slim portray hands on the California ranch.

Although the drama's content is for mature audiences - Dunlap suggests high school or older - he is quick to add it offers many teachable moments for parents and their teens.

"Even though it's set in a very specific time in history, there is a lot I think people can relate to it. You have racism, sexism, treatment of the mentally ill, treatment of the elderly, and these are still political issues for us. But there is an undertone that if these people could work together, they would have everything they need for a successful society."

Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.

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