An Alabama Museum Loses Rights to Produce Play of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

A Monroeville, Alabama museum announced it lost its licensing rights to produce its theater adaptation of Harper Lee's novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," indefinitely after this year.

For 26 years the museum, in Lee's rural hometown, has performed her story about racial injustice.

Tom Lomenick, the president of the Monroe County Heritage Museum said he was given no explanation about the decision from the play's licensing company, Dramatic Publishing Company. The publisher said Christopher T. Sergel, who holds the rights to the stage adaptation created by his father, had no comment on the decision

"We haven't given up on it," Mr. Lomenick said. "We're still negotiating with different parties."

The museum is trying to extend licensing rights beyond this year, for two years.

The play runs Fridays and Saturdays in April and May.

"With the play in full swing and having the rights before, it's an uncomfortable feeling," said Greg Norris, a Monroe County probate judge, who was involved in negotiations to keep the play in town. Mr. Lomenick estimated that losing the play will effect the town financially by $1 million.

"We're talking a huge, huge loss for the city," he said.

Read the original article here.

Photo Courtesy of the Monroe County Museum

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