Connect with us

Entertainment

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird – REVIEW

Published

on

It All started in a Courtroom and a Man Wrongly Accused…

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird comes to the Broward Center for Performing Arts.

March 29th, 2023

Aaron Sorkin’s play adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird remains as impactful as the iconic book has been since the 1960s. Set in a 1930s Alabama courtroom, the narrative starts with a black man wrongly accused of raping a white woman. Even though the ending to this story seems obvious, you’ll find yourself experiencing a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Due to the depth of the actors’ emotions, you may find yourself leaning in to get as close as possible to the stage and its intriguing acting.

Emmy winner Richard Thomas (The Waltons) plays Atticus Finch, the lawyer who is defending the falsely accused Tom Robinson, played by Yaegel T. Welch. Atticus’ children, Scout, played by Melanie Moore and Jem, played by Justin Mark and understudy Daniel Neale, along with their friend Dill narrate and keep the story moving forward. These actors collectively provide an outstanding performance while also keeping the humanity at the heart of the play. All the while, you’ll laugh, nod, and weep as the realities of life are brought to center stage. This story resonates now as much as it did when To Kill a Mockingbird was first written. This production gives Tom Robinson and the Finch family’s housekeeper and caretaker, Calpurnia, played by Jacqueline Williams, have a much larger presence and a more contemporary voice.  

Bartett Sher also directs this 24-member cast. He also directs the revival of My Fair Lady, which currently features at the Miami’s Arsht Center around the same time that To Kill a Mockingbird plays in Fort Lauderdale’s Au-Rene Theater at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. The costumes, lighting, and music score transport the audience to a 1930s small town in Alabama, complementing the mood of the scenes perfectly.

A must-see – Aaron Sorkin’s play adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird masterfully delivers this classic story in a more modernized way.

  • Steven Lee Johnson (“Dill Harris”), Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and Justin Mark (“Jem Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and The Company of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Mary Badham (“Mrs. Henry Dubose”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Jacqueline Williams (“Calpurnia”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Travis Johns (“Boo Radley”), Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”), Steven Lee Johnson (“Dill Harris”) and Justin Mark (“Jem Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”), Yaegel T. Welch (“Tom Robinson”) and The Company of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and Jacqueline Williams (“Calpurnia”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) and Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • (l to r) Justin Mark (“Jem Finch”), Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”), Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and Steven Lee Johnson (“Dill Harris”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes. Photo Credit: Julieta Cervantes

  • Yaegel T. Welch (“Tom Robinson”), Stephen Elrod, Jacqueline Williams (“Calpurnia”) and Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Yaegel T. Welch (“Tom Robinson”) and The Company of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • (l to r) Arianna Gayle Stucki (“Mayella Ewell”), Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”), Stephen Elrod (“Bailiff”), Richard Poe (“Judge Taylor”), Greg Wood (“Mr. Roscoe”) and Joey Collins (“Bob Ewell”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • (l to r) Dorcas Sowunmi and Mary Badham (“Mrs. Henry Dubose”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) and Yaegel T. Welch (“Tom Robinson”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Melanie Moore (“Scout Finch”) and Jacqueline Williams (“Calpurnia”). Photo by Julieta Cervantes

  • Richard Thomas (“Atticus Finch”) and The Company of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Julieta Cervantes

Entertainment

Kravis Delivers with Les Mis

Published

on

A night of music, meaning and connection. Les Misérables reminded us why we keep coming back.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Deranged, Delightful, and Deadly: CLUE Live!

Published

on

By

CLUE Live On Stage at the Kravis Center: A Whodunnit with a Wink, a Wiggle and a Whole Lot of Wacky.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Dog Man Unleashed on Stage at The Parker

Published

on

Sit, Stay, Applaud: Dog Man the Musical Proves Every Underdog Has Its Day.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Humor and Heart in Painting Churches

Published

on

Painting Churches Brings a Heartfelt Portrait of Family, Aging, and Memory to Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Come What May: Moulin Rouge Still Has the Spark

Published

on

Step into the World of Bohemian Beauty and Forbidden Love: Moulin Rouge’s Touring Production Brings Broadway Brilliance to South Florida!
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

No Mustache Ride — Just Nonstop Laughs with Patrick Warburton

Published

on

By

Patrick Warburton Proves He’s One of the Kings of Deadpan, Turning Family, Fame and a Few Celebs into Moving Targets.
(more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

MJ’s Legacy, Live on Stage  

Published

on

By

Remember the Time? Relive It with MJ The Musical! It’s Bad (In the Best Way!). (more…)

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Avenue Q’s Hilarious Chaos Proves Puppets Aren’t Just for Kids

Published

on

By

Avenue Q in West Palm Beach is a Raunchy, Hilarious and Surprisingly Heartfelt Ride. (more…)

Continue Reading

Trending