DM Playhouse Presents To Kill a Mockingbird

The Des Moines Community Playhouse will present "To Kill a Mockingbird," Jan. 20-Feb. 12, 2012. (Please note the closing date is later than originally announced. Three performances have been added.) Tickets may be purchased online at dmplayhouse.com, by phone at 515-277-6261, or at the Playhouse ticket office, 831 42nd St.

Scout, a young girl in a quiet southern town in 1935, is about to experience the dramatic events that will affect the rest of her life. She and her brother, Jem, are being raised by their widowed father, Atticus Finch, and strongminded housekeeper, Calpurnia.

Atticus, a lawyer, is defending Tom Robinson, a young black man wrongfully accused of a grave crime. Since this is causing such an upset, Scout wants to know why he's doing it. "Because if I didn't," her father replies, "I couldn't hold my head up." He goes on to prepare Scout for the trouble to come. "We're fighting our friends. But remember this, no matter how bitter things get, they're still our friends." Atticus fights his legal battle with a result that is part defeat, part triumph.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is based on Harper Lee's classic novel. The cast features Mary Katherine Gillette and Sarah Schott alternating performances as Scout, Greg Blumhagen as Atticus, Ben Spencer as Jem, Elizabeth Knoll as Calpurnia, Pernell Ferguson as Tom Robinson, Asa Stanfield as Dill, and Keith Pederson as Boo Radley. The show is directed by John W. Viars.

Several special events have been planned in conjunction with "To Kill a Mockingbird." Post-show discussions will be held on select Sundays. These discussions will cover the literature of "To Kill a Mockingbird" (Jan. 29), legal issues raised in the story (Feb. 5), and race issues (Feb. 12). A new program, Playhouse in Depth, will be held at 1:15 PM, Sunday, Jan. 22. Audience members will meet in the lobby at 1:15 PM and tour on stage and backstage. Playhouse in Depth is available at any performance to groups of 10 or more, and can be scheduled through the Playhouse ticket office.

The Playhouse is Iowa's oldest and largest producing theatre. Located at the 42nd Street exit of I-235, the theatre has presented a full season of shows since 1919 and also offers a wide variety of educational experiences including classes for ages 4 to adult, theatre trips to New York, and volunteer opportunities onstage and backstage.

For more information about the Playhouse and "To Kill a Mockingbird," contact the Playhouse ticket office at 515-277-6261.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" Performances: Jan. 20-Feb. 12, 2012
7:30 PM Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday
2:00 PM Sunday

"To Kill a Mockingbird" Tickets
Ticket prices $29-20, with discounts for seniors, students, and groups of 15 or more
To purchase tickets:
www.dmplayhouse.com
515-277-6261
Des Moines Community Playhouse Ticket Office, 831 42nd St., Des Moines, IA 50312