John Steinbeck News

James Franco stopped by THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON on NBC and caught everyone up on all of his recent work, including a short film, a poetry book, teaching a class and starring in Of Mice and Men on Broadway.

The hit musical Fiddler on the Roof will open the 10th season at the White Theatre. A partnership with The Theatre in the Park, Shrek,will close it. And there will be all sorts of variety in between, announced JCC Director of Cultural Arts Krista Blackwood. "Fiddler on the Roof and Shrek will make great bookends to our 10th season in the Lewis and Shirley White Theatre," Blackwood said.

With 'SECONDS', a Festival of Play Readings, Mixed Blood Artistic Director Jack Reuler has curated a 'can't miss' opportunity to catch a glimpse of what's hot in American theatre!

From the magical romances of ALADDIN and THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY to the perils of showbiz in CABARET, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY and ACT ONE; from the gripping physicality of ROCKY to the revolutionary tune of LES MISERABLES and the friendship and loss of OF MICE AND MEN, this season runs the gamut when it comes to captivating tales. BroadwayWorld has rounded up this season's musical adaptations and the plays, books and films that inspired them. Scroll down for the list, and be sure to let us know your favorites!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre continues the second half of its season with Tribes, a sophisticated and moving family drama by celebrated British playwright Nina Raine. Her profound and powerful new play became an award-winning hit in London and New York. Now renowned director Jonathan Moscone brings it to Berkeley Rep this April for its Bay Area premiere. Tribes follows Billy, a young man who was born deaf into a loquacious and highly opinionated academic family who raised him to lip-read and integrate into the hearing world. When he meets Sylvia - raised by Deaf parents and going deaf herself - Billy decides it's time to speak on his own terms and to be heard. Playing out in words, sign language, and sometimes mesmerizing silence, this penetrating drama examines familial love, notions of belonging, and the intersections of communication. Tribes start previews Friday, April 11, opens on April 16, and closes on Sunday, May 11, 2014.

John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men is coming to Broadway's Longacre Theatre. Previews begin March 19 and it officially opens April 16 for a limited run. Of Mice and Men will be directed by Anna D. Shapiro and will star Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meesterand, and Tony Award winner Jim Norton. BroadwayWord caught up with the cast- look below to hear what everyone has to say!

Anna D. Shapiro's new Broadway production of Of Mice and Men will begin performances at the Longacre Theatre on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Of Mice and Men officially opens Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in a strictly limited engagement through July 27, 2014. Of Mice and Men will star Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester and Tony Award winner Jim Norton. The cast just met the press and you can check out full photo coverage from the special event below!

Anna D. Shapiro's new Broadway production of Of Mice and Men will begin performances at the Longacre Theatre on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Of Mice and Men officially opens Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in a strictly limited engagement through July 27, 2014. Of Mice and Men will star Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester and Tony Award winner Jim Norton. Stars Franco and O'Dowd stopped by The New York Times' 'TimesTalks' segment to discuss Of Mice and Men with reporter Melena Ryzik. BroadwayWorld was there and brings you photos from the event below!

With 'SECONDS', a Festival of Play Readings, Mixed Blood Artistic Director Jack Reuler has curated a 'can't miss' opportunity to catch a glimpse of what's hot in American theatre!

Anna D. Shapiro's new Broadway production of Of Mice and Men will begin performances at the Longacre Theatre on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Of Mice and Men officially opens Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in a strictly limited engagement through July 27, 2014. Of Mice and Men will star Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner James Franco, Chris O'Dowd, Leighton Meester and Tony Award winner Jim Norton, and will feature Ron Cephas Jones (The Motherf**ker with the Hat), Alex Morf ('The Good Wife'),Joel Marsh Garland ('Orange Is The New Black'), James McMenamin ('The Good Wife'), Jim Ortlieb (Guys and Dolls) and Jim Parrack ('True Blood'). THe cast met the press earlier today and BroadwayWorld was on hand for the special event. Check out a photo preview below and check back later for complete coverage!

In celebration of the richly diverse American melting pot, Asolo Rep will host its second annual documentary theatre project Faces of Change: Growing America. The original play will explore the experiences of local immigrants - their arduous journeys, daily struggles and triumphs, and what it truly means to be an American immigrant in 2014. Faces of Change will be March 21 and 22 at 7:30pm in Asolo Rep's Cook Theatre. Each performance will be followed by a question and answer session with the cast and creators. Admission is free, however tickets are required. Tickets are available by visiting Asolo Rep's Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre, 5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, by visiting www.asolorep.org or calling 947-351-8000 or 800.361.8388.

On Twitter Watch, James Franco wrote ' OF MICE AND MENz!!!! - HAPpY B-DAY JOHN STEINBECK - from your CALiFORNIA SoN! - JIMMY - TELL ME ABOUT DEM RABBITS!!!! @miceandmenbway #miceandmenbway @penguinclassics'

'Inside Asolo Rep: The Grapes of Wrath' will be held today, February 26, 2014 at 11 a.m.

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Gary Ross will pen the new film adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel EAST OF EDEN, set to star Jennifer Lawrence for Universal Pictures. Ross will also direct.

Asolo Rep continues its 2013-2014 season with Frank Galati's triumphant adaptation of John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel THE GRAPES OF WRATH, directed by Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards. Frank Galati's adaptation premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre of Chicago in 1988. The Broadway production won the Tony award for Best Play and Best Direction of a Play in 1990 and was nominated for six additional Tony Awards. Galati also won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director in 1990 and the play was nominated for four additional Drama Desk Awards. Previews will be March 12 - 13, opening night will be on March 14 at 8pm and the play will run through April 19.

Word for Word presents "36 Stories by Sam Shepard" arranged for the stage and directed by Amy Kossow opening with a press night on Saturday May 24 8pm, running through June 22 (previews May 21-23) at Z Space's second venue, Z Below, at 470 Florida Street. Last year the Magic Theatre spearheaded a multi-theater celebration of Shepard's 70th birthday when they opened their season with Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-winning 'Buried Child.' Other companies participating in the celebration have been Crowded Fire, American Conservatory Theater in collaboration with Intersection for the Arts/Campo Santo and Word for Word.

Tickets go on sale for Tony Award-winning director Anna D. Shapiro's new Broadway production of Of Mice and Men at the Longacre Theatre box office (220 West 48th Street) today, February 18 at 10am. A limited number of balcony tickets for opening night (Wednesday, April 16) will be available at the Longacre Theatre box office.

On Twitter Watch, James Franco wrote ' Of mice and men - table read - it begins!!!!!! http://instagram.com/p/kcu0wuS9T6/ '