Dateline — OU Drama celebrates the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee’s classic novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” with Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation. Director Tom Huston Orr’s 30-member cast and crew do justice to Lee’s timeless tale of childhood innocence colliding with adulthood prejudices.
Pulling on events and people from her own life, Lee set “To Kill a Mockingbird” in her home state of Alabama in the year 1935. Andrew Brown and his set designers have recreated the town of Maycomb, Ala., in a single set design.
Atticus Finch, a lawyer like Lee’s father, is defending a black man accused of raping a white woman, a crime he is certain to be found guilty of. Finch dutifully defends Tom Robinson as his children look on bewildered by the hateful behaviors of the adults they thought they knew. The trial is loosely based on real-life events that occurred near Scottsboro, Ala., when Lee was 5 years old. Nine black men were accused of raping two white women, who were later suspected of lying.
Jean Louis Finch (Scout) is her father’s biggest admirer and protector. Caught in hatred she doesn’t understand, Scout sees first-hand the brutality of man and the stoicism her father exudes. Edmond eighth-grader Alyssa Danley plays the tomboy Scout. Orr’s casting selection of a young actress for the role of Scout makes the tale more authentic. Danley’s delicate figure is hidden with costume designer Jennifer Cozen’s use of oversized overalls and dirty shoes. Danley quickly convinces the audience she is a voice to be followed. A bright-eyed kid with tight pigtail braids, Danley clearly projects her questions with an urging inflection for her need to understand.
OU senior Paul Stuart plays American fiction’s quintessential father figure and lawyer, Atticus Finch. Stuart, previously seen this fall at OU in two other leading roles as Millet and Musketeer Athos, once again reinvents himself. His naturally curly hair is now trimmed and neatly straightened with hair gel. Stuart stands as tall as his long legs will let him, allowing his left arm to swing slowly back and forth as a balance to the briefcase he often carries in his right. His portrayal brings to life the righteous Atticus we’ve all come to love and admire through Lee’s prose.
Fellow Musketeers Jordan Brodess and Norman’s own Colin Ryan rejoin Stuart this spring as Maycomb County Sheriff Heck Tate and prosecuting counsel Mr. Gilmer. Brodess uses his slight build to move with a sense of urgency while Ryan sits perched in the courtroom with the arrogance of a man who knows he can’t lose. At one point during the trial, Ryan leans back and throws his left leg on the table as if exhausted by the trial that must ensue for an already decided jury.
Judge Taylor’s gavel signaled a 15-minute recess in the courtroom as well as intermission. The house lights rose and audience members began to slowly stretch from their seats. However, the courtroom below us did not empty as expected. Actors came and went from the stage, keeping many audience members in their seats anxious an important event may be missed. We were suddenly thrust into the play’s action, until the lights dimmed for Act II and we were once again onlookers.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” is not a play or book one reads to learn the ending. It is a work of art that captures human nature, both good and bad. Orr’s direction shows he understands Lee’s intent, focusing the play’s energy on the unfolding relationships.
Cast members include: Margery Baker, Kauhdeeme Balentine, Sam Bearer, Mary Black, Jordan Blount, Sam Boeck, Tyler Brodess, Hannah Broom, Clarice Diers, Chris Hartman, Stella Highfill, Joey Hines, Jonathan Hooks, Stephen Ibach, Candace Jordan, Lindsey Kite, Tiffany Mack, Brett Marley, Alden Olds, Kelsey Ray, Carly Risenhoover, Lindsey Sawyer, Brandon Simmons, Steven Walton and Jack Welborn.
Other members of the production team include stage manager Brian Morrow, scenic designer Andrew Brown, lighting designer Jeff Boomstein, sound designer Brad Gray, dramaturg Matt Byrd, assistant stage manager Madeleine Borg and Theatre Producer Rich Taylor.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” runs 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre, 563 Elm Ave. Tickets are $22 adult, $18 senior and OU faculty/staff and $14 students with ID. Reservations can be made by calling the OU Fine Arts College Ticket Service at 325-4101, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office is in the Catlett Music Center, 500 West Boyd. For accommodations on the basis of disability, call the OU Fine Arts Box Office at 325-4101.
