Haute 100 LA Update: James Franco to Make Broadway Debut This Week

James Franco is making his Broadway debut this week.

The master of all artistic mediums will start previews for John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men at the Longacre Theatre this Wednesday, March 19, with an official opening slated for April 16.

In the play, Franco plays George, the uneducated but quick-witted friend and protector of simple-minded Lennie (played by Chris O’Dowd), a gentle soul unaware of his own strength, in the famously tragic story of two wandering workers in Depression-era California.

He spoke of his experience on the Great White Way on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Friday night. He said, “There’s something really refreshing about that where you feel a deeper connection to the character. I’ve hear other actors say it too – you realize how deep you can go into a character…”In movies, we hardly rehearse. It’s like, you’re ready to go when you’re there, you only ostensibly have to get right only once, and then you move on. Here, you’re etching it, and there’s something kind of zen about that.”

The 35-year-old actor, director, poet, professor and artist will star in the play, directed by Tony winner Anna D. Shapiro, alongside O’Dowd, Leighton Meester and Jim Parrack.

To see the full Los Angeles list, click here.

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