Broadway Update: "Of Mice and Men" to open in April with James Franco

"Of Mice and Men" is coming to Longacre Theater on Broadway in April.  The cast features Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee James Franco from "127 Hours and Milk", Chris O’Dowd from "Bridesmaids" and "The IT Crowd", Leighton Meester from "Country Strong" and "Gossip Girl", and Tony Award winner Jim Norton from "The Seafarer".

Many of us remember "Of Mice and Men" as the ultra-depressing book we had to read in school.  It's about two migrant ranch hands during the Great Depression who strike up an unlikely friendship. James Franco will star as George, and O'Dowd as Lennie. a mentally disabled man who'll be played by Chris O'Dowd.  It is Meester who might have the most fascinating role as a beautiful but egotistical temptress. If you have watched "Gossip Girl", her character is kind of a Depression version of Blair Waldorf with a lot less privilege, no designer shoes and a very humble address.