Park Square Theatre Presents TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD & NAKED DARROW

Park Square Theatre's mid-season highlight is a new, ambitious staging of Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, directed by David Mann (Sherlock Holmes & the Case of the Jersey Lily; Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde) and presented in repertory (during the week of April 11) with Naked Darrow, Park Square's commission of a fresh portrayal of Clarence Darrow written and performed by actor/historian Gary Anderson (Search for Justice).

Appearing on Park Square's stage for the first time, this adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird by Christopher Sergel includes a gospel chorus and an evocative set designed by Joel Sass suggesting small town life in 1935 Alabama. The large-scale production opens at Park Square Theatre, 20 W. Seventh Place, Saint Paul, on April 1 (previews begin March 25) and runs through April 17.

To Kill a Mockingbird, a definitive American classic first published 50 years ago, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. The novel's hero Atticus Finch serves as an iconic inspiration for tolerance and integrity in the face of adversity, and his eight-year old daughter Scout remains among the most beloved young characters in literature with her pluck, smarts and willingness to understand the perspectives of others.

Featuring Fred Wagner as Atticus and Elizabeth McCormick as Scout, the cast also includes Warren C. Bowles (Rev. Sykes), Robert Gardner (Judge Taylor), Jane Hammill (Stephanie Crawford), Jasper Herman (Dill), Ed Jones (Heck Tate), John Lilleberg (Boo Radley), Bob Malos (Mr. Gilmer), Miriam Monasch (Mrs. Dubose), Peggy O'Connell (Maudie Atkinson), Joel Raney (Bob Ewell), Prentiss Standridge (Mayella Ewell), Heather Stone (adult Scout), Nathan Tylutki (Walter Cunningham), Austene Van (Calpurnia), Emma Wondra (Jem) and Payton Woodson (Tom Robinson).

The gospel chorus, under the direction of Delores G. Matthews-Zeno, includes Nina Black-Zachary, Michael Brown, Matthews-Zeno and Annamichele Spears.

Previews of To Kill a Mockingbird will be held Friday, March 25 through Thursday, March 31; the show opens Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday, April 17. Performances are Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. with 2:00 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Weekday matinees continue through May 13.

BIGGER-THAN-LIFE CLARENCE DARROW BARES HIS SOUL AT PARK SQUARE
In the 1920s and 30s, Clarence Darrow was America's most celebrated-and hated-lawyer. He took on racism, social injustice and the death penalty. Gary Anderson as Darrow, likened to Holbrook's Mark Twain, depicts a very personal life on the fault lines of change. This world premiere solo piece, commissioned by Park Square Theatre and directed by Artistic Director Richard Cook, has a special limited run to coincide with Darrow's birth anniversary in April. Naked Darrow runs at 7:30pm on April 11, 12, 13 and 17, and 2:00pm on April 16.

Performances of both To Kill a Mockingbird and Naked Darrow are in the company's proscenium theater in Saint Paul's historic Hamm Building, 20 W. Seventh Place. Tickets are $36-$56 (with opening night at $40-$60 and preview tickets at $20). Group, senior and special prices for those 30 and under are also offered. Tickets are available at 651-291-7005 or online www.parksquaretheatre.org.