Iowa PBS debuts Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Of Mice and Men
Two actors sit on a wooden log, one appearing distressed in denim overalls, while the other, in a gray jacket, leans in with a concerned expression.

Iowa PBS presents the broadcast premiere of Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Of Mice and Men on Friday, September 18 at 8:30 p.m., bringing the performance to Iowans statewide. In addition to the broadcast, the opera will be available to stream on iowapbs.org and the PBS app for a limited time.

John Steinbeck’s great American novella Of Mice and Men tells the story of two migrant ranch workers, George and Lennie. Bound together by hardship, they hustle for work, where and when they can, searching for their piece of the American dream—to own a small farm of their own. But George cannot always protect Lennie—a gentle childlike giant with a love for soft things—from the cruelty of the ranch boss and the restless unhappiness of the boss’s young wife in a world that offers little mercy. In the hands of Carlisle Floyd, the Dean of American Opera, Steinbeck’s timeless story becomes a superbly crafted opera of great beauty and power.

"This stunning Des Moines Metro Opera production boldly reveals the story of individuals whose struggles often go unnoticed and unremembered. Presented in honor of America 250, and the remarkable work of John Steinbeck and Carlisle Floyd, it is an honor to be able to share this invaluable work with our viewers," said Iowa PBS Producer and Director Judy Blank.

Of Mice and Men’s New York premiere came in 1983. This 2026 presentation is a co-production of Des Moines Metro Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Florida State University and Lyric Opera of Kansas City. This summer, Des Moines Metro Opera took on Of Mice and Men for the first time since 1985.

Celebrating the centennial year of one of American opera’s most important composers, Carlisle Floyd, Des Moines Metro Opera Presents Of Mice and Men features the company debut of John Findon as Lennie, the return of Iowa baritone John Moore as George, Artistic Partner Kristine McIntyre as stage director, and Des Moines Metro Opera Music Director and Principal Conductor David Neely as conductor.