TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Returns to Long Island on Jan. 28

Following a successful run at Theater 294, The Long Island Repertory Co. is presenting an acclaimed stage adaptation of Harper Lee's famous novel To Kill A Mockingbird as a benefit one day only at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28.

The play is being presented in the Sts. Philip & James School Auditorium, 359 Clinton Ave., in St. James in a benefit for the church. Tickets are $15 at the parish office or by calling 631-584-5454 with a limited number of tickets available at the door.

One of two adaptations of the classic novel by Christopher Sergel, this play captures the charm, warmth and tension of the original work and remains true to the original story.

Lee's novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960, two years later was made into a film, starring Gregory Peck and adaptations soon became a staple for stage around the nation and the world.

This production is a reprise of performances at Theater 294 in East Farmingdale for one day only to benefit the church and let this Mockingbird take flight again.

"It's one of the great American plays," Charles Calabrese, who portrays Atticus Finch and co- directs the show, said.

The Long Island production comes as Lee's novel heads for Broadway in a new adaptation by Aaron Sorkin.

Sergel's version gives audiences a chance to see the characters, story and a small town come to life on stage before the tale heads for Broadway.

The production features Chloe Keil as Scout, Ari Speigel as Jem and Anthony Buonagurio as Dill. Charles Calabrese is Atticus Finch, John Wolf portrays Boo Radley and Adrienne Pellegrino plays Miss Maudie.

"This is popular, because it's timeless," Calabrese said. "It takes place in 1935, but all of these characters could have grown up in your neighborhood. Everybody knows all of these characters, the kid next door; an honest, well-respected man; an ignorant racist. Everybody has met all these characters. Here they are in one small town."

The story was inspired by Lee's own childhood, life and hometown in Alabama, where her father was an attorney. Amid a debate over the role of diversity and what constitutes racism, the play's subject matter may be more timely than ever.

"We see bigotry and injustice. We see the soft side of racism. And heroes arise from unlikely places, facing a moral crisis and making the right moral decisions," Calabrese said. "We can be proud of some of these characters and despise and be embarrassed by others."

While the show is for adults, it's also appropriate for children, who portray some of the key roles, Calabrese said.

"It's definitely an adult play, but this is a play that's good for kids, not for little kids," he said of the show, which he believes is appropriate for children 12 and up. "This play shows the ugly side of racism, moral triumph, justice."

Aaron Sorkin, famous for writing for screen and stage, is adapting the story for Broadway, but Calabrese believes this version by Sergel is at once true to the novel and a strong script.

"Hollywood has an irresistible urge to keep changing things," he said. "This is great for the stage."

The Long Island Repertory production may be with a different script than the one being readied for Broadway, but the motivations for presenting the shows may have something in common.

"I think they're probably bringing this play back for the same reasons we brought it back," Calabrese said. "It's been too long and it's highly relevant."

To Kill A Mockingbird, the Sts. Philip & James School Auditorium, 359 Clinton Ave., in St. James. To benefit the church. Tickets are $15 at the parish office or by calling 631-584-5454 with a limited number of tickets available at the door.