The American classic, which has not been seen on Broadway in 40 years, will be directed by Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro. Opening night is set for April 16.
Norton will play the character Candy. He won a 2007 Olivier Award and a 2008 Tony Award for his performance in The Seafarer. Norton can currently be seen in Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive at the Atlantic Theatre Company.
Additional casting and creative team members will be announced at a later time.
Tickets will go on sale Jan. 11. The limited engagement will continue through July 27, 2014.
Adapted from his own novel, Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, according to press notes, 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." Meester will play the role of Curley’s Wife.
"Of Mice and Men" began as a novella published in 1937 by Nobel Prize winner Steinbeck. It was adapted for the screen several times and adapted as a radio play for the BBC. The first stage production was directed by George S. Kaufman in 1937 and ran for 207 performances.
James Franco (George) is an actor, director, screenwriter, producer, teacher and author. He began his career on the cult television program "Freaks and Geeks" and received a Golden Globe Award for playing the title character in the TV biographical film “James Dean.” Notable film credits include "Oz the Great and Powerful," "Spring Breakers," Harry Osborn in the "Spider-Man" trilogy, "Milk" and "127 Hours," for which he received Academy Award, SAG and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor.
Chris O’Dowd (Lennie) was most recently seen starring in the award-winning feature film "The Sapphires," to be released in the U.S. March 22, and is well known for his starring role in "Bridesmaids" and the HBO/BBC series “Family Tree.” His 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.
Of Mice and Men is produced by David Binder, Kate Lear, Darren Bagert, Adam Zotovich, Latitude Link/Piedmont Productions, Paula Marie Black, Harriet Leve, Ruth Hendel/Barbara Whitman, Marianne Mills/Jayne Baron Sherman and The Shubert Organization. 101 Productions, Ltd. are the executive producers.
American Express Card Members can purchase tickets Jan. 11-Jan. 22. Beginning Jan. 23, advance tickets are available to members of Audience Rewards. Of Mice and Men goes on sale to the general public beginning Jan. 26. For tickets, call (212) 239-6200 or visit Telecharge.com. Beginning Feb. 18 tickets will be available at the Longacre Theatre box office (220. W. 48th Street).
For more information visit ofmiceandmenonbroadway.com.
