VALDOSTA — Mike Ostroski can see the parallels between his life as a traveling actor and that of his character in John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men.”
Ostroski plays Lennie, the lumbering giant who wanders the Depression-era country from place to place with his friend George. For the past several weeks, Ostroski and the “Mice” cast have been wandering from place to place across the nation.
On Sunday, “Of Mice and Men” wanders into Valdosta for the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Presenter Series’ showing.
“Lennie and George keep dreaming about finding a home one day,” says Ostroski, who called earlier this week prior to a show in Montana. “And they won’t have to travel so much and live hand to mouth. They’re looking for the American Dream of having a home and security and that feeling of comfort.”
He draws comparisons and contrasts to Lennie and George’s lives to the lives of touring, professional actors.
“There’s the travel. There’s something new every day,” he says. “... The crew will wake up from sleeping on the bus in a completely different climate from where they left the night before. It can be surreal.”
The Barter Theatre troupe will travel from Montana, stopping for shows along the way, to Valdosta during a short period of days.
“Still, as actors, we’re getting paid and there’s a per diem,” Ostroski says. “Things are secure and warm ... at least until Thanksgiving.”
The national tour ends the weekend prior to Thanksgiving then Ostroski and the rest of the actors will be looking for new roles and new work.
Until then, Ostroski will inhabit the role of Lennie each night. Lennie is one of the most recognizable characters from 20th century literature. Even people unfamiliar with Steinbeck and “Of Mice and Men” often recognize the slow-witted characterization of Lennie.
Ostroski received good direction early in this production to avoid playing Lennie as a stereotyped character, or impersonating a previous actor’s performance of the character.
“The director wanted us to tell our version of the story and not at all attempt to tell the story people think they know,” he says. “We’re doing Steinbeck, but we’re trying to find our own truth to these characters.”
SHOWTIME
Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Presenter Series hosts “Of Mice and Men.”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St.
Ticket: $45, general admission: $20, students.
Reservations, more information: Call 247-2787; or visit the arts center at 527 N. Patterson St.
NOTE: Adult content.
The Valdosta Daily Times is a Presenter Series sponsor.
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Mike Ostroski, left, as Lennie in ‘Of Mice and Men,’ playing Sunday afternoon as part of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts Presenter Series.
Discussion
‘Of Mice and Men’
Show plays Valdosta Sunday
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