Names and faces

Jim Norton will join James Franco and Chris O’Dowd in the Broadway revival of Of Mice and Men. Producers said Monday that Norton, whose recent credits include The Mystery of Edwin Drood and a Tony Award-winning turn in The Seafarer, will play aging ranch handyman Candy. The story by John Steinbeck centers on big-dreaming George, played by Franco, and the mentally challenged Lennie, portrayed by O’Dowd. Former Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester will play a beautiful temptress. The play, which starts performances March 19 at the Longacre Theatre, hasn’t been seen on Broadway in 40 years. Tony Award winner Anna D. Shapiro will direct. Norton is currently performing in Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive at the Atlantic Theatre Company.

Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o and Blue is the Warmest Color actress Lea Seydoux are among nominees for the British film academy’s Rising Star award. Nyong’o made an acclaimed feature film debut in the slavery epic 12 Years a Slave, and Seydoux plays half of a young French lesbian couple in the Cannes festival prize-winner. Other finalists announced Monday include American actor Dane DeHaan, who plays a troubled poetic muse in the Beat Generation saga Kill Your Darlings. Two British actors round out the list - George MacKay, who stars in Sunshine on Leith, featuring Scottish band Proclaimers’ music, and Will Poulter of the comedy We’re the Millers. The winner will be decided by public vote and announced during the British Academy Film Awards - Britain’s equivalent to the Oscars - on Feb. 16.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 01/07/2014

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