by Kelly Kroll
The Hippodrome Theatre's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" does justice to Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel.
The play, narrated by Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, follows the events in the life of the narrator during the 1930s. When a black man, Tom Robinson, is accused of a crime, Scout's father defends him in a trial that challenges the values and prejudices of the citizens of the small town they live in and teaches Scout many lessons about human flaws and human dignity.
It's a familiar tale to anyone who has read Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" or watched the 1962 Academy Award winning movie based on the book.
But the Hippodrome's show is worth seeing even if you already know the story.
The performance, which will run until March 10, brings the characters to life just like I imagined them while reading Lee's novel.
The three young actors who portray Scout, Jem and Dill do a great job of capturing the innocence, intelligence and impishness of their characters.
Traber Burns portrays Atticus Finch as a likable character, strong with a touch of sympathy. Itanza Wooden in the role of Calpurnia and Rachel Tench as Stephanie Crawford deliver strong supporting performances as the nanny and the nosy neighbor.
All of the actors do a good job of contributing to the mood of the performance. They create a situation that draws the audience in and helps them to see a little of themselves in each character.
For two and a half hours, I was drawn into the world of Maycomb and able to visualize the story from the viewpoint of the different characters I was seeing on the stage. The action moves quickly and there is never a dull moment. Comical, tender and dramatic moments fill the play, offering viewers a wide emotional smorgasbord to enjoy.
Justice wasn't served in the case of Tom Robinson, but the cast of "Mockingbird" is doing its duty to entertain and educate.
(2/22/96)