Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck's timeless tale of compassion, innocence, cynicism and dreams, comes to life again when Arena Stage in Washington, DC, opens the classic 1937 stage adaptation of the novella Nov. 9.

Liz Diamond directs the revival, which began previews Nov. 1 at the Arena's Fichandler Stage. In the hardscrabble world of migrant farm workers, a place of brutish behavior and depleted hope, Stephen Barker Turner plays laborer George, caretaker to the physically towering but mentally challenged Lennie, played by Jack Willis. Performances continue to Dec. 9.

The cast includes Alex Webb, Terrence Currier, Ray Aranha, Dwayne Nitz, Maggie Lacey, Marty Lodge, Eric Sutton, Hugh Nees and a Labrador Retriever Mix named Barney.

Designers are Riccardo Hernandez (set), Ilona Somogyi (costume), Nancy Schertler (lighting) and Timothy M. Thompson (sound). Brad Waller is flight choreographer.

Director Diamond is a resident director of Yale Repertory Theatre and associate director of directing at Yale School of Drama. Steinbeck (1902 68) is the Nobel Prize-winning novelist known for his pungent stories about California life and the hopes of common folk in "East of Eden," "The Grapes of Wrath," "The Red Pony," "Cannery Row" and his non-fiction travelogue, "Travels With Charley." Tickets range $27-$45. Arena Stage is at 1101 Sixth Street SW. For information, call (202) 488-3300 or visit www.arenastage.org.

— By Kenneth Jones