Leighton Meester - Curley's wife | Of Mice and Men on Broadway S&S #2: I am so incredibly humbled and inspired to help bring his world to life. ~ LM - Page 16

tranquility · 04-15-2014, 07:38 AM

Oh my!! That's great! It looks so good.

Whyyyyyyyy don't I live in NYC?

Rachel Leigh · 04-15-2014, 11:43 AM

Love the short clips in the video. There is no doubt leighton can act onscreen, let's hope the press audience tomorrow night can see her talent on stage too

Thanks for the news

tranquility · 04-15-2014, 12:22 PM

I'm nervous and excited about getting reviews.

Rachel Leigh · 04-15-2014, 01:29 PM

Me too! Fingers and toes crossed for Leighton tomorrow.

Just read on Instagram that Leighton does her own makeup before every show

tranquility · 04-15-2014, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rachel Leigh (View Post)

Just read on Instagram that Leighton does her own makeup before every show

That's really cool. For not loving makeup she's really good at it.

adambrodyrocks · 04-15-2014, 06:30 PM

the big day is almost here

totally_0bsessed · 04-15-2014, 08:16 PM

I'm really excited to read the reviews! Thank you for sharing the clips!

LittleღMermaid · 04-15-2014, 09:51 PM

It got here so fast!

tranquility · 04-16-2014, 03:04 AM

Today's the day!!

Rachel Leigh · 04-16-2014, 05:14 AM

Zooey Deschanel was in audience last night.
I hope she tweets something about the show.

I wonder what celebs are going tonight

tranquility · 04-16-2014, 05:17 AM

I like her!

As long as there's no spotlight stealing celeb there tonight I'm good.

Rachel Leigh · 04-16-2014, 11:53 AM

Good review

Quote:

By Bizzy Emerson
Glenbard West

While visiting New York City, I had the chance to check out John Steinbeck’s classic novel, “Of Mice and Men,” on Broadway. I read the book my freshman year and I was excited to see how it would be adapted to a stage.

It didn’t hurt that James Franco was cast in one of the lead roles.

“Of Mice and Men” tells the tale of two migrant ranch workers living in Great Depression-era California. The story follows George (played by Franco), a shrewd but caring brother figure to Lennie (played by “Bridesmaids” actor Chris O’Dowd), who is mentally disabled.

Although the novel was a little dry when I first read it freshman year, I felt obligated to attend a performance, as I’m legitimately obsessed with James Franco. Luckily, any expectations I had walking into the theater were surpassed well before intermission.

Director Anna D. Shapiro kept the setting and direction simple, allowing for the story to take center-stage. Acoustic guitar riffs in between scene changes gave the show a Northern California essence that isn’t as tangible when reading the novel. Likewise, small things like Franco repeatedly laying out games of Solitaire, provide for interesting nuanced character traits.

Speaking of Franco, his performance was on-par. He plays the role straight, and although no grand gestures are taken, Franco’s portrayal of George is exactly what it needs to be. It goes without saying that Franco is an incredible actor, and watching him do his thing in real life is fascinating.

If anyone in the play is going to be nominated for a Tony Award, it will be Chris O’Dowd. Although he scored major laughs as the kindhearted cop in “Bridesmaids,” he shines on a completely new level in his Broadway debut. Playing Lennie is no easy task, but O’Dowd manages to encapsulate both the comedy and heartbreak embedded in Steinbeck’s novel. His physicality was spot-on, and his performance was transformative.

There had to be a certain chemistry between the two leads, and these stars couldn’t have been more convincing. I was struggling to keep it together by the devastating end of the play, mainly because I couldn’t bear to see the buddies in such peril. Since the play is still only in previews, I’d love to see how the connection changes over the course of their Broadway run.

Leighton Meester of “Gossip Girl” also drops in as Curly’s wife. Only running in for brief moments, Meester serves her purpose, but doesn’t bring any “wow” factor to the already bold production. However, she too had a natural chemistry with both Franco and O’Dowd, which provided for a realistic performance.

If you’ve ever been forced to read “Of Mice and Men” during your high school career, be sure to check out this well-cast, breakout Broadway performance if you’re swinging through New York City.

LittleღMermaid · 04-16-2014, 12:04 PM

Thanks! Glenbard really likes Franco

I kind of wanted a Zooey/Leighton pic

Rachel Leigh · 04-16-2014, 12:14 PM

Lol yeah think we may have mixed reviews for Franco

Yeah shame Zooey hasn't mentioned anything

tranquility · 04-16-2014, 12:48 PM

Overall I think we'll have mixed reviews for the show. Theater is notorious for snobbery and this production has a lot of actors who are new to Broadway.


Fan Forum > Female Celebrities > Leighton Meester > Curley's wife \| Of Mice and Men on Broadway S&S #2: I am so incredibly humbled and inspired to help bring his world to life. ~ LM