'A Little Piece of a Great Big Soul' Meet the Full Cast of Broadway's OF MICE AND MEN, Beginning Tomorrow!

Directed by Tony Award-winner Anna D. Shapiro, the new Broadway production of Of Mice and Men begins performances tomorrow, Wednesday, March 19, 2014 and will officially open on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the full company, plus watch interviews with the cast and get a sneak peek at the play below!

Starring Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester and Tony Award winner Jim Norton, Of Mice and Men features Ron Cephas Jones, Alex Morf, Joel Marsh Garland, James McMenamin, Jim Ortlieb, Jim Parrack, Michael Dempsey, Kevin Jackson, Erica Lutz and Stephen Payne.

The creative team for Of Mice and Men includes scenic design by Tony Award winner Todd Rosenthal (August: Osage County, The Motherfucker with the Hat, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf), costume design by the international, Emmy Award-winning designer of the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony,Suttirat Larlarb (127 Hours, Slumdog Millionaire, Royal National Theatre's Frankenstein), lighting design by Tony Award nominee Japhy Weideman (The Nance, What's It All About?: Bacharach Reimagined, Macbeth, The Snow Geese) and sound design by Rob Milburn & Michael Bodeen (No Man's Land & Waiting for Godot, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Grapes of Wrath).

Of Mice and Men, one of the greatest and most enduring American classics, has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years. Adapted from his own classic novel, John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is an essential adventure, an inspirational portrait of the American spirit and a heartbreaking testament to the bonds of friendship. Of Mice and Men tells the story of George (James Franco) and Lennie (Chris O'Dowd), an unlikely pair of friends drifting from job to job across the farms and fields of California, holding fast to their dream of one day having an acre of land they can call their own.

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JAMES FRANCO
George

James Franco's metamorphosis into the title role of the TNT biopic James Dean earned him career-making reviews, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture made for Television. He also received nominations for an Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award for this memorable performance. Franco earned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award and recognition from numerous critics' associations for his starring role in Danny Boyle's critically acclaimed drama127 Hours. His performance alongside Sean Penn in Gus Van Sant's Milkearned an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor and he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in David Gordon Green's comedyPineapple Express, in which he starred opposite Seth Rogen. He is also known for his starring role as Harry Osbourne in Sam Raimi's Spider-mantrilogy. Franco most recently starred in the comedy This Is The End with Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill and Danny McBride as well as Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful and Harmony Korine's Spring Breakers. He will again co-star with Jonah Hill in True Story for New Regency and will also star in Paul Haggis' Third Person. He just wrapped production on Wim Wenders'Everything Will Be Fine and is currently shooting The Interview, again with Seth Rogen. Franco's additional credits include Ryan Murphy's Eat, Pray, Lovestarring opposite Julia Roberts, Shawn Levy's comedy Date Night, Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's Howl, where he played the famous poet Allen Ginsberg, George C. Wolfe's Nights in Rodanthe; Paul Haggis' In the Valley of Elah; Karen Moncrieff's ensemble drama The Dead Girl; Tommy O'Haver's drama An American Crime; John Dahl's The Great Raid; Robert Altman's The Company; as well as City By The Sea opposite Robert DeNiro and the Martin Scorsese produced Deuces Wild. On television, he starred in the critically acclaimed series "Freaks and Geeks." Aside from his acting accomplishments, Franco has also established himself as a director in several films. He wrote and directed The Feast of Stephen, which premiered and won a Teddy award at the Berlin Film Festival. Additionally, Franco directedSaturday Night, a documentary on the week-long production of a "Saturday Night Live" episode, which originally premiered at SXSW and The Clerk's Tale, which premiered at Cannes. Franco also wrote and directed a biography on poet Hart Crane called The Broken Tower which premiered at the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival. He recently produced Kink, a documentary that premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival. Recently, he directed and starred in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying based on the classic novel, which premiered at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, and directed Sal, a bio-pic based on the life of Sal Mineo, which screened at the 2011 Venice Film Festival. Both films were released this fall. He starred in, co-wrote and directed the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's Child of God, which premiered at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival in 2013. He is also working on an adaptation of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury, which he stars in and directs.

CHRIS O'DOWD
Lennie

Chris O'Dowd will next be seen in the Untitled Lance Armstrong Project for Working Title directed by Stephen Frears opposite Ben Foster. Theatre credits include the critically acclaimed and sold out Druid production of The Playboy of the Western World directed by Garry Hynes and the Royal Court production of Under the Blue Sky. Chris was most recently seen starring in Wayne Blair's The Sapphires. Chris plays Dave, the manager of four young and talented Australian Aboriginal girls as they learn about love, friendship, and war when their singing group "The Sapphires" entertains the US troops in Vietnam. The film, already released in Australia breaking box office records, garnered Chris the AACTA Award (Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts) for "Best Lead Actor" and The Sapphires won the award for "Best Film." The film screened at various film festivals throughout the world and received several awards and nominations for Best Feature. The Sapphireswill be released in the US by The Weinstein Company on March 22nd. Chris is well known for his starring role in Bridesmaids opposite Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph. For his role in the film, Chris was nominated for a BAFTA "Rising Star Award," a Screen Actor's Guild Award for "Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture" and won the Irish Film and Television Award for "Best Supporting Actor - Film." Bridesmaids, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, received two Oscar nominations, a Golden Globe Award nomination for "Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical," and was recognized by AFI as "Movie of the Year." The film also won a Critics' Choice Movie Award for "Best Comedy Movie," a People's Choice Award for "Favorite Comedy Movie" and was recognized by individual critics' groups throughout the country for "Best Acting Ensemble." Bridesmaids was also a box office success making almost $300 million worldwide. Chris' other upcoming features include John Michael McDonagh's Calvary opposite Kelly Reilly and Brendan Gleeson and James Griffiths' Cuban Fur opposite Rashida Jones and Ian McShane. Chris also stars in the HBO/BBC series "Family Tree" which was created by Christopher Guest and Jim Piddock. Chris wrote and produced a TV series based on his childhood titled "Moone Boy." The series revolves around a young boy who relies on the help of his imaginary friend to deal with the quandaries of life in a wacky, small-town Irish family in the 1980s. The series was recognized by the Irish Film and Television Awards as "Best Entertainment Programme" and Chris was nominated for "Best Supporting Actor - TV" and "Best Script Drama." Additionally the show was nominated for "Best New Comedy Programme" by the British Comedy Awards. "Moone Boy" premiered on Sky One in the UK and will air on Hulu in 2013. The show has been picked up for a third season and in addition to writing and producing, Chris will direct all the upcoming episodes. Chris was recently seen starring in Lena Dunham's HBO series, "Girls" and Judd Apatow's This is 40. His other film credits include Thor 2 opposite Natalie Portman; Chris Wedge's animated film Epicopposite Jason Sudeikis, Amanda Seyfried, and Aziz Ansari; Jennifer Westfeldt's Friends with Kids opposite Jon Hamm, Adam Scott, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph; Jay Roach's Dinner for Schmucks opposite Paul Rudd and Steve Carell; Rob Letterman's Gullivers Travels starring opposite Jack Black, Jason Segel, and Emily Blunt; Richard Curtis' FOX, The Boat that Rockedopposite Phillip Seymour Hoffman; and Gareth Carrivick's Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel opposite Anna Faris. Chris also starred inFestiva which was nominated for two BAFTA Awards including "Best British Film," and won him a BAFTA Scotland Award for "Best Actor in a Scottish Film." Chris' other television credits include starring in the cult comedy series, "The It Crowd" for Channel 4 Television and the critically acclaimed series "Crimson Petal & The White", a four part adaptation of Michael Faber's best-selling novel directed by Marc Munden for BBC. He is well known in Ireland for having starred in the popular RTÉ One drama "The Clinic", which earned him a nomination for an Irish Film & Television Award in 2003.

LEIGHTON MEESTER
Curley's Wife

Leighton Meester, a South Florida native, began performing in regional theatre at the age of nine. As a teenager, she and her family relocated to New York City so Meester could pursue a career in acting. Her television career began with guest appearances on "Law & Order," "Boston Public" and recurring roles on "24," "Entourage" and "House." In 2007, Meester rose to fame as "Blair Waldorf" on the long-running television series "Gossip Girl," a role for which she received acclaim from such publications as Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and was named one of People Magazine's Most Beautiful. Meester's film credits include starring roles in inCountry Strong (opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund, and country legend Tim McGraw), The Roommate, That's My Boy, Monte Carlo, and The Oranges (opposite Allison Janney, Oliver Platt and Hugh Laurie); as well as cameo appearances in the films Going the Distance and Date Night (opposite Tina Fey and Steve Carell). Meester is also a singer/songwriter, who has showcased her vocal talents and lent her original music to many of her film and television projects. With an ever-evolving sound and distinct vision, she continues to tour the country performing her music. Meester is active in DKMS organization's "Get Swabbed" campaign to battle blood cancer.

JIM NORTON
Candy

Jim Norton won a 2007 Olivier Award and a 2008 Tony Award for The Seafarer. In New York he has appeared in Finian's Rainbow (Encores and Broadway), The Weir (Olivier nomination); Juno and the Paycock at the Roundabout Theatre Company, Dublin Carol (Obie Award); and Port Authority at the Atlantic Theatre Company. National Theatre credits includeThe Veil, The Pillowman, Hamlet, Bedroom Farce, Comedians, St. Joan, Way Upstream, Tamberlaine, Playboy of the Western World and Chorus of Disapproval. At the Royal Court he appeared in The Contractor and The Changing Room. Film: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Water For Elephants, Straw Dogs, Hidden Agenda, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Driving Lessons, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Oyster Farmer, and The Eclipse. TV includes "Frasier," "Poirot," "Star Trek: the Next Generation" and "Father Ted." He has played characters as varied as Stan Laurel, Pirandello and Field Marshall Montgomery. He has recorded many audio books and the complete works of James Joyce for Naxos Audio Book (Sony Award).

RON CEPHAS JONES
Crooks

Prometheus Bound (Getty Villa), Head of Passes (Steppenwolfe), Hurt Village, Two Trains Running (Signature); Titus Andronicus, Satellites (NYSF);Ajax (ART); As You Like It, The Tempest (BAM/Old Vic London);Wildflower (2nd Stage); The Overwhelming (Roundabout); The Wooden Breeks (MCC); The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (Alliance); Richard III (Public Theater, NY); The Exonerated; Othello (Royal Theatre, London); Our Lady of 121st Street; Jesus Hopped the A Train (LABryinth);Storefront Church (Atlantic Theatre). Television: "Low Winter Sun", "Raisin in the Sun", "NYPD Blue", "Law & Order".

ALEX MORF
Curley

Broadway debut. Tours: War Horse (Albert Naracott); Off-Broadway:Women Beware Women, (Red Bull); Viva Los Bastarditos; Regional: The Rainmaker, Government Inspector, Christmas Carol, (A.C.T.); Cymbeline, The Alchemist, (Shakespeare Theater D.C.); Dracula, (Actor's Theatre of Louisville);The Walworth Farce, (Studio Theatre); Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Pericles, (CalShakes); Servant of Two Masters, (Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey); The Cradle Will Rock, Sicilian Nights (Frank Theater); Hansel and Gretel, Monkey King (Children's Theater of Minneapolis); The Just, Much Ado About Nothing, The Cherry Orchard (Chautauqua Theater Company). TV: "The Good Wife." St. Olaf College, M.F.A, American Conservatory Theater.

JOEL MARSH GARLAND
Carlson

Joel Marsh Garland is making his Broadway debut in Of Mice and Men. He has previously appeared Off-Broadway in Checkers at the Vineyard Theatre and Essential Self Defense at Playwrights Horizons. Film credits include:Limitless, The Bounty Hunter, The Night Listener, Lady in the Water, and The Believer. Television credits include: "Louie", "Boardwalk Empire", "Bored to Death", "Justified", "The West Wing", "Law and Order: SVU", "Law and Order", "Kings", "Blue Bloods", "Life on Mars", "The Big C", and "Kidnapped". He can be seen regularly on Netflix's original series "Orange is the New Black" as C.O. O'Neill.

JAMES MCMENAMIN
Whit

NY Theatre: Ashville (Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre), The Bad Guys (Second Stage Uptown), Suicide Inc. (Roundabout Theatre), Middletown (Vineyard Theatre), Our Town (Barrow Street Theatre), BFE (Playwrights Horizons),Armed and Naked (Naked Angels). Regional: Extremities (The Berkshire Theatre Festival), Good People (The Old Globe), Our Town (Broad Stage), At Home at the Zoo (Arena Stage), Prayer for My Enemy (Intiman Theatre), Loves Labor's Lost (Huntington Theatre), BFE (Long Wharf Theatre), The Skin of our Teeth (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Cobb (Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble). TV and Film: Olive Kitteridge, Unforgettable, "Inside Amy Schumer," "The Word," "The Good Wife," "I Just Want My Pants Back," "Law and Order SVU," "Law and Order."

JIM ORTLIEB
The Boss

Broadway: The Farnsworth Invention, Guys and Dolls. 1st National Tour: Billy Elliot. Regional: RII at Boston Court Theatre in Pasadena, CA, Marriage Play (Half 'n Half 'n Half) by John Kolvenbach (IRNE nomination Best Actor),Glengarry Glen Ross at Merrimack Rep., Picasso at the Lapin Agile at Steppenwolf, Hughie at Gare St. Lazare Players-Chicago, The Homecoming at Gare St. Lazare Players-Paris, Meryl Friedman's adaptation of The Wasps at The Getty Villa, Candide at Weston Playhouse in VT, Scapin at American Blues Theatre. Film: A Mighty Wind, Contagion, Magnolia, Latter Days, Home Alone, Drunkboat, and the upcoming A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island. TV: "Grey's Anatomy," "Vegas," "Roswell," "The Shield," "West Wing," "CSI," "The Closer."

JIM PARRACK
Slim

Jim Parrack is from Allen, TX. He studies and teaches acting at Playhouse West and is proud to announce the opening of The Playhouse West Brooklyn Lab in Ft. Greene this March. This is his Broadway debut.