"Tell me about the play, George!"

There wasn't a dry eye in the audience Friday evening at Studio Arena Theatre.

It was opening night for the cast of John Steinbeck's American classic "Of Mice and Men," and to say that the performance was "moving" would be an understatement.

For those who failed high school American Lit and never read the quintessential novel, it's a story about two friends who travel together from farm to farm looking for work in 1920s California. Lennie, who is mentally challenged but stronger than an ox, does the work while his companion, George, does the talking.

Together they hatch pipe dreams of one day owning a little patch of dirt where they can grow their own sustenance and Lennie can take care of rabbits. That is if Lennie, who doesn't know his own strength, doesn't get them into trouble first.

Jeffrey Thomas, who plays the character of Lennie, is terrific. Big, strong and tall, Thomas possesses the qualities needed to play the part of the gentle giant. And although he doesn't have to prove his strength too often, there were a few moments in which he validated his typecast.

The first occasion arises toward the beginning of the play, during the fight between Lennie and his boss, Curley, which results in the latter's hand being broken. Although the fight isn't spectacularly executed, it packed enough emotion to send goose bumps down the spine.

Apart from the physical aspects, the true challenge in playing the character of Lennie lies in making his mental handicap believable. Thomas doesn't fall short on this end either. His speech and the accent of his voice, combined with his physical mannerisms, make Forrest Gump look like Albert Einstein.

"Lennie was superb. The way that he walked - and his finger management - was great," said Tim Moran, a local publisher.

Chet Carlin, who plays the fellow rancher named Candy, puts on a startlingly good performance. His soft voice sounds fragile and sincere during the sadder parts of the play and yet bright and full of excitement during the more optimistic scenes.

The audience, which consisted of middle-aged and older patrons and a small peppering of college and high school kids, was truly taken by Carlin.

The scenery onstage varies throughout the performance. The first and last scenes are very minimal, consisting of close to nothing. During these segments, it is the dialogue and chemistry between George and Lennie that fill the theater.

Some of the other scenes are more elaborate. The workmen's sleeping quarters, while not exactly extravagant, are thoroughly decorated. The most detailed scenery is in the bedroom of Crooks, the crippled African-American who tends to the horses. In this scene, the stage is actually lifted to display a fold-out bedroom set, complete with bed, books, and shelves.

The music consists of either plucking banjos or fiddles and sounds authentic to the time period.

"It's one of the best (productions) I've seen in eight years," said season ticket holder and local mechanical engineer Kathie Poullos.

"Of Mice and Men" is playing at Studio Arena Theatre through Sunday, March 4.