I'm not a theater expert or a reviewer or anything, but I've seen a number of shows around Northeast Ohio in the 2011-2012 season and this was by far the best. The show is a true ensemble piece and all the actors gave strong performances. It was a very well cast and well directed piece. However, it needs to be noted that Joe and Pat gave really inspired performances. You really feel the weight of the ending events because Joe and Pat give performances that make you feel connected to those characters. Anyway, I'd be surprised if this show doesn't get some award recognition at the end of the year. Kudos to all those involved. Classic play.

Congratulations, Patrick Ciamacco and cast, for a well directed, well acted, and very human reading of this tragedy. Strong ensemble work. Pat's Lennie was a work of art, and you thoroughly believed he and Joe Kenderes's George had been down long roads together all their lives. Also, a classy set (built from scratch, including the risers for the seats, in a bare room!) that made for an intimate evening without feeling cramped.

Without a doubt one of the best preformed shows ever.As a veteran actor I can honestly say this was acting at it's best.

My husband and I went to see OF MICE AND MEN at its closing performance. From the minute the house lights went dim, we felt like we were actually IN the play with the actors. Since we both already knew the story but had never seen it performed live, my heart immediately began to ache once Pat Ciamacco walked on stage as the child-like giant, Lennie. While other actors spoke and many actions took place, my eyes were continually drawn to Lennie, watching his awkward, non-comprehending stares and his fidgeting hand-gestures. In his own mental pictures happening amongst chaos, when Lennie would simplistically smile, my heart went out to him. Much like his best friend, George, I too found myself wanting to just hug Lennie and tell him everything would be alright. As the play moved forward and the choices of George became more terrifying, I found myself crying as I watched Joe Kenderes' (George) eyes fill up with tears and being tormented by his choices. The weight of the decisions-at-hand were felt by everyone in the audience...you could feel the thickness in the air. Tim Tvcar, as Candy, was extremely moving to me as well. When his dog is taken off-stage, Candy goes and lays down , curling up to cry over his loss. I had a very hard time watching this scene as well. Although the scene moved on to discussions among other actors, my eyes continually watched Candy and the pain he displayed was very close to my heart. During the ending, I could barely see at times due to the continuous flow of tears. This truly was one of the most memorable performances I have ever seen...and I'm now a dedicated fan of the Blank Canvas Theater. BRAVO to the entire cast! This play stayed with me for quite a while, and I'm sure it will continue to do so. GREAT acting...and 'Great' doesn't do it justice! <3

Once again Patrick Ciamacco and Blank Canvas Theater do not disappoint. Of Mice and Men - What a beautiful production! Friendship, loneliness and dreams are laid out on the exquisitely executed set. Brilliant casting and stellar performances. What lessons we can learn from the these classic characters.

This is a MUST SEE for anyone who enjoys live theater!

Very, very powerful! Incredible acting and a very creative set!

My husband and I went to see this performance (my second visit to the theatre and his first) and we were very happy we went. Of Mice and Men is one of my husbands favorite plays and he was totally engrossed by the actors that performed at the Blank Canvas and although he thought all the actors were great he said that Patrick Ciamacco, who played Lennie, was especially wonderful and that he reminded him of Vincent D'Onofrio, which I agreed with. He has that certain something that draws you to him, something a little bit odd in his acting style (not just the character) that captures you and holds you! The play made me cry twice, which shows how much it drew me in (my husband also cried) and I was only disappointed that not enough people were there to fill all the seats because it certainly deserved a full house!!!! Everyone played their parts as well as I've seen them played in the movies and I would even see it again. I went away from the theatre feeling as if I had been to a great production downtown. Everyone should attend the productions at Blank Canvas!!!!

This production was absolutely fantastic. There was not a moment when I wasn't completely enthralled in the story and the characters. This is drama at it's best: A heart wrenching story played out with brilliant realism by some of the finest actors Cleveland has to offer.

Patrick Ciamacco has found a place of his own.

His new production, Steinbeck's "Of Mice And Men" at that place, Blank Canvas Theatre, is terrific.

Joe Kenderes as George Milton, the good smart guy, is intense! Ciamacco himself as Lennie the child-like giant, is transcendent with innocence. Marvin Mallory burns with a hard and gem-like flame as Crooks, and Tim Tvcar's old man Candy captures th...e essence of hope in despair. Noah Hbrek uses his entire body to exude Curley, that awful kid you hated in high school whose unearned privilege made him a bully; Dan Bush has created that Marlboro Man aura of calm competence for his portrayal of Slim, the other genuinely good man in this play, who understands George Milton's dilemmas entirely. Betsy Kahl plays Curley's unnamed wife as if she knew her name intimately, and matches Ciamacco's portrayal of innocence with an equal one of her own. Lucas Scattergood makes Carlson a damaged man trying to find his way to the kind of genuine maleness Bush gives Slim and Kenderes gives George -- a very difficult performance that Scattergood pulls off without drawing too much attention to it. William Goff as Whit and John Polk as The Boss are entirely right in their roles.

Through it all Ciamacco directs the cast by winding the tension tighter faster than you think it's going to go, never losing the pace that lets the actors build this well-written show through its small climaxes to the final big one.

If you don't cry at the end you just weren't paying attention.