“To Kill a Mockingbird” MILWAUKEE Reviewed by Caitlin Collado

****  I am not a theater person. I do enjoy some but will never be like my Grandfather ( who is around the town), but he is showing me that there is power in live theater. I went into the theater with no true knowledge of what  Harper Lee’s “To Kill A Mockingbird” as reworked by Aaron Sorkin, was about. For some reason, during my school days we were not assigned this novel. After seeing this marvelous production, I wish I had.. This is the touring production that has been  all over the country  starring Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch, the small-town Southern Attorney takes it a strong look at this character that sets the story on its path.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the novel and the movie, the story takes place in 1934, Maycomb, Alabama. An African American has been accused of raping a white woman and is about to be tried with a public defender, who has advised him to plead out for 18 years in prison instead of having a trial and getting electrocuted. Atticus Finch, to the rescue. The play has a narrator, his daughter Scout ( played to perfection by Maeve Moynihan) who along with her brother,Jem (deftly handled by Justin Mark) and their Summer visitor, Dill ( an incredible comic touch by Steven Lee Johnson) keep the scenes moving along as well as teach us many lessons through their scenes with Atticus.

The touring cast is powerful and the set (Miriam Buether) is easily changeable ( there was a thud every time they brought the front porch on) to allow the play to stay under three hours including the intermission. The book was published in 1960 ( my high school graduation year) and it became a staple for all to read ( that is until recent years in certain states) For the most part, the same cast is still on the road and while it is here for a short time, I know it will hit Milwaukee and no doubt will be back in Chicago again. This is a classic story with a great message and this production is a sterling piece of art as transformed from a book to the stage.

Jaqueline Williams continues to bring Calpurinia to life. She is the maid, housekeeper for the Finch family , and might be considered the “mother figure” that the kids needed after their mom passed. Again, I do not want to give much away for those who love seeing and watching a story grow from start to finish. This one starts with someone’s death. Bob Ewell (Joey Collins), who as it turns out is the father of the young  girl, Mayella (Mariah Lee) that was allegedly raped, The young Black man that was falsely accused , Tom Robinson is played to perfection by Yaegel T. Welch. During the trial we learn that Tom has a physical problem that would guarantee that he did not commit the crime, and yet, understanding the location and time, would it matter? The trial itself is wonderful and opens our eyes to justice circa 1934 in the south, in particular when it is a black/white issue. Again, I will say no more so that I will not spoil anything for you.I will say that the cast did a good job of balancing out the serious emotion filled parts with the humorous ones..

This production is only here through the 12th at the wonderful Uihlein Hall at Marcus Center as part of The Johnson Financial Group “Broadway at the Marcus Center Season”.

11/8 at 7:30 p.m.

11/9  7:30 p.m.

11/10 at 7:30 p.m.

11/11   2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

11/12     1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

box office 414-273-7206   tickets@marcuscenter.org

929 N. Water Street, Milwaukee

For performance schedule and all other information, visit www.MarcusCenter.org

Just remember Milwaukee is very close to the North Shore and the drive is far less stressful.