Tennessee Rep Presents TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

Tennessee Repertory Theatre will kick off its 26th season with its production of To Kill a Mockingbird adapted by Christopher Sergel from the classic novel by Harper Lee. To Kill a Mockingbird runs October 2 - 23 at TPAC's Johnson Theater.

Based on Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice, To Kill a Mockingbird presents a gothic coming-of-age tale in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice. Told through the voice of Scout Finch, this gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale illustrates the heroism and courage of one man-Scout's father, Atticus-in the face of blind and violent hatred. When a black man--Tom Robinson--is arrested on the accusation of raping a white woman, Atticus agrees to defend him. Many townspeople demand Atticus to pull out of the trial, but he refuses. Tennessee Rep invites you to relive every treasured moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of a true American classic.

"To Kill a Mockingbird is an amazing novel and 2010 marks its 50th anniversary, but aside from that it's just a story I've wanted to get my hands on for a long time," says Tennessee Rep Producing Artistic Director René D. Copeland. "Because of its popularity and typically large cast, To Kill a Mockingbird usually finds itself in a much larger theatre, but I look forward to making it an intensely intimate experience by presenting it in the Johnson Theater. It's such a powerful story, but it's also a very personal story after all. And I believe that with this story we have the ability to create an amazingly powerful, personal experience for the audience in a way that only live theatre can do."

The production stars Tennessee Rep stage veteran Chip Arnold as Atticus Finch. Arnold was featured most recently in Tennessee Rep's 2009-10 production of Proof.

Arnold says, "When I told my youngest daughter that I had been given the role of Atticus Finch, her reaction was instantaneous: 'Oh Daddy, I'm so excited. Atticus Finch is the father I've always wanted.' We looked at each other for a beat allowing the purity of her response to settle and then both burst out laughing as she showered me with apologies for the faux pas. Thank God she doesn't think I'm 'chopped liver,' but the honesty of her reaction speaks to something deep within everyone who has experienced this literary work. We see the best and worst of our human nature in these characters and circumstances and we are cautioned and inspired by the sharp rays of light emanating from this story. Works of art don't ordinarily bring about change in the world at large, but To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those rare exceptions. To get to play such an iconic role in a masterpiece that has had so powerful an influence on our society over the last fifty years is frightening and humbling. And I am grateful that, at least for a little while, I can be the father my daughter always wanted."

In addition to Arnold, the cast features both familiar faces and new ones and includes the following: Matthew Carlton, David Compton, Christopher Dean, Isaiah Frank, Margaux Granath, Denice Hicks, Bakari King, Mary McCallum, Amanda Card McCoy, Marin Miller, Shelean Newman, Rodrikus Springfield, Jennifer Whitcomb-Oliva, Samuel Whited, and Bobby Wyckoff.

Since 1985, Tennessee Repertory Theatre has been a critically acclaimed regional theatre, creating the highest quality professional productions and by serving as a prime cultural, educational, and economic resource within the Nashville and Middle Tennessee communities. Tennessee Rep produces work that is designed, built, and rehearsed in Nashville by highly skilled actors, designers, directors, and technicians. A non-profit organization, Tennessee Rep is committed to consistently delivering thought-provoking theatre each year. For more information on the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, please visit www.tennesseerep.org.

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