Orlando Shakespeare Theater's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Begins 1/21

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF presents To Kill a Mockingbird from January 21 - March 8, 2015. Directed by Thomas Ouellette (Race, Romeo and Juliet, and Pride and Prejudice), Christopher Sergel's adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning novel comes to life on the Margeson Theater stage. Also part of the Classic Repertory Series, Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor (February 4 - March 7) and Henry V (February 18 - March 22) will play concurrently. Tickets to all three productions are available now by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, visiting www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).

A compelling and timeless story, To Kill a Mockingbird is told through the eyes of six year old Scout. As a tense tug of war between justice and racism heats up, Scout and her family must learn to temper violence and hatred with courage and compassion. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird continues to inspire hope in the face of inequality.

"To Kill a Mockingbird succeeds in telling an adult story through the eyes of children," said Artistic Director Jim Helsinger. "For most of us who read this book in school, it evokes a sense of nostalgia that will be exciting to revisit on stage."

To Kill a Mockingbird features Warren Kelley (Off-Broadway's A Christmas Carol and Orlando Shakes' A Little Night Music) as Scout's father and the moral lawyer Atticus Finch. Jamil A.C. Mangan (My Soul Is A Witness National Tour) appears as the African American field hand Tom Robinson who is falsely accused of rape by the white family of Bob Ewell, played by Eric Hoffmann (50th Anniversary World Tour of West Side Story).

"Set in the depression-era south, Harper Lee's novel shines a light on racism in a powerful way. Following The Best of Enemies, To Kill a Mockingbird is the second offering in our 26th Season to reflect on this country's history of racial injustice during the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act," said Helsinger.

Additional casting includes Kennedy Joy Foristall (Scout Finch), Walker Russell (Jem Finch), Josh Lefkowitz (Dill Harris), John Ahlin (Heck Tate), Ahmed T. Brooks (Reverend Sykes), Sheryl Carbonell (Calpurnia), Allison DeCaro (Stephanie Crawford), Liz Mignacca (Mayella Ewell), Chris Mixon (Mr. Gilmer), Christopher Niess (Judge Taylor), Suzanne O'Donnell (Mrs. Dubose), Christopher Joel Onken (Walter Cunningham), Michael Sheehy (Arthur "Boo" Radley), Ryan M. Skiles (Nathan Radley), and Jean Tafler (Maudie Atkinson). The ensemble also includes Anna Carol, Rashad Guy, and Danielle Reneè.

The Orlando Shakes artistic team includes Set Designer Bert Scott, Lighting Designer Kevin Griffin, Costume Designer Denise R. Warner, and Sound Designer Britt Sandusky.

Photo by Landon St. Gordon