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Will "Of Mice and Men" make you cry? Probably. (Possibly more than once.)

Should you see it anyway? Definitely.

Utah Opera's production of the Carlisle Floyd opera, which opened Saturday at the Capitol Theatre, is a gripping evening of theater. From the singers portraying the iconic George Milton and Lennie Small to the adorable shelter pup who plays Lennie's ill-fated dog, every aspect of this staging is top-notch.

Tenor Corey Bix, who had a fantastic Utah Opera debut in Beethoven's "Fidelio" a few months ago, turns in another tour-de-force performance as Lennie. Not only does Bix's ample voice soar easily over Floyd's boldly colored, emotionally wrenching score, he also plays Lennie with such childlike sweetness that the viewer fully understands George's protectiveness and loyalty.

Bass-baritone Matthew Burns gives the opera its moral center with his portrayal of George. He sings with power and assurance from the top to the bottom of his vocal range, and he invests the character with intelligence and integrity while traversing an equally impressive emotional range.

Sara Gartland makes Curley's wife tragic rather than simply pathetic. The soprano makes the character's frustration and desperation palpably clear, and she turns in one of the most disturbingly realistic death scenes ever seen at Utah Opera. Tenor Ryan MacPherson plays her brute of a husband with cobra-like menace; it's a particularly apt match of music and character.

Bass Ryan Allen as the beaten-down but still-hopeful Candy, baritone Marcus DeLoach as the compassionate Slim, tenor James Miller as the unctuous Carlson and tenor Andrew Penning as the sweet-voiced Ballad Singer round out the strong cast.

The opera's pacing is spot-on under the baton of James Lowe. The action never drags, suspense builds effectively and the Utah Symphony plays with passion. The men of the Utah Opera Chorus, rehearsed by chorus master Susanne Sheston, make most convincing ranch hands. Kristine McIntyre's stage direction is another key ingredient in the success of this production. There is nary a wasted movement or gesture all night. Susan Memmott Allred's Depression-era costumes and Vicki Davis' set, designed for Utah Opera's 1999 production of the opera, add to the sense of realism.

The opera's English text is projected on a screen above the stage, but thanks to Lowe's expert balancing, Floyd's canny orchestration and the strong performances of the singers, your eyes probably won't leave the action often.

"Of Mice and Men" is an important work of theater. Its plea for compassion and hope is as timely now as when John Steinbeck wrote the novella on which the opera is based. Stash a packet of tissues in your purse or jacket pocket and go see it.

creese@sltrib.com facebook.com/nowsaltlake —

The best-laid plans

Utah Opera presents Carlisle Floyd's "Of Mice and Men." The opera is sung in English, with the text projected above the stage.

When • Reviewed Saturday, May 5; continues Monday, Wednesday and Friday, May 7, 9 and 11, at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, May 13.

Where • Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City.

Tickets • $16 to $85

Running time • 2 hours, 20 minutes, including one 20-minute intermission.

In a nutshell • The opera is based on John Steinbeck's classic novella about the friendship between migrant workers George Milton and Lennie Small, who dream of a farm of their own.