Tuesday night I was in Cincinnati at the Aronoff Center for opening night of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Oh, and how I enjoyed the beauty and pain of the story told.
I remember this story from my youth. My class read the book together and then after our book study, we watched the movie. I remember being in agony and crying at the hatred some of the characters spewed throughout the story. I was curious how that memory would hold up to this encounter with a stage performance.
I'm happy to tell you that the adaptation for stage allows for a little more levity than I remember feeling years ago with the book study. Now, this is not a levity that takes away from the story at all. I think it's there to keep the audience with the cast as they move through the heavy and hard truths of racism.
There were times I sat a bit squeamish in my seat. I wanted to stand up and yell at the awful words I heard. I wanted to defend Tom Robinson and comfort Calpurnia and quite honestly, I wanted to have a parental pow-wow with Atticus.
All of that is to say that this story is still so relevant today. And while we have made strides as a nation over the years, hate still brews in the heart of man and people still need defending. I would encourage everyone I know (and their older kiddos) to go see this play and use it as a springboard for a conversation.
Ok. Now that I've shared my heart with you. Let me share 2 fun little bits of info with you.
1. I grew up in the 80's and we watched a couple television shows together as a family. One of those shows was The Waltons. Look very closely at Atticus in the photo above. Do you recognize him? (Hint: "Goodnight John-boy"). Yep! Richard Thomas! He's amazing on stage. You will really enjoy his take on Atticus Finch.
2. I mentioned earlier that we watched the movie of To Kill A Mockingbird as a class after we read the book. That movie was made in the 70's and had a girl named Mary Badham in the role of young Scout. In this play, you'll see her in the role of Mrs. Henry Dubose. I wonder how much fun she has yelling at Scout after having filmed in that role as a girl. What a neat, full-circle moment.
Click on any of the stock images to be taken to Broadway in Cincinnati's page where you can buy tickets. The play is running through June 12, 2022. And if you head to my
Facebook page, you'll see an image posted there where you can learn how to get discounted tickets.
Perhaps, one day, I'll see you at the theater. :)
Amy
