TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Opens Next Month At Lakewood Theatre Company

Lakewood Theatre Company continues its 65th season with the timeless drama To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Brenda Hubbard.

Christopher Sergel's adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee gives new life to this timeless tale. Audiences revisit themes of compassion and justice that are as resonant today as when the play was set in the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of Depression-era Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird follows the journey of a young white girl whose father has been appointed to defend a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. This enduring drama of right, wrong, and all the grey areas in between, provides a poignant look at the human spirit, and the courage it takes to follow what you think is right and understand life from someone else's perspective.

Performances begin November 3 and continue through December 10, 2017, playing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, two Wednesday performances (Nov. 15 and Dec. 6) at 7:30 PM, Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM (Nov. 5, 19 and Dec. 3), and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (Nov. 12, 26, Dec. 3 and 10). The show contains strong racial language. Viewer discretion is advised. The show's title sponsor is Bill & Barbara Warner and the directorial sponsor is Nicoletta's Table & Marketplace.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St. in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $34/adults and $32/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

Special note: On Wednesday, December 6, the theatre continues its program called WOW: 25-35. For audience-goers 35 and under, tickets are priced at $25 each. Use the code WOW25 when ordering tickets online to get this special discount. At this performance, there will be a complimentary wine tasting one hour before curtain. On Wednesday, December 6, enjoy a complimentary wine tasting courtesy of World Class Wines. OLCC rules apply! Bring your ID for the tasting!

The novel To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 and earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. In 1970, the book was adapted to the stage by Christopher Sergel.

The story: In 1935 Maycomb, Alabama, the long days of summer stretch out before ten-year-old Scout Finch (Kate McLellan) and her older brother Jem (Bram Allahdadi). The two while away the hours as they usually do with their summer neighbor Dill (Brock Woolworth), an imaginative and confident friend. Under the watchful eye of their widower father, Atticus (Tim Blough), a well-respected lawyer in their small town, and Calpurnia (Monica Fleetwood), their strong-minded housekeeper, Scout and Jem's lives are peaceful and secure.

However, there's a rumble of thunder just under the calm surface of this life. Neighbors and friends begin to act unkind towards Scout and her family, and she does not understand why. Atticus explains that he is defending Tom Robinson (Aries Annitya), a young Negro man who claims to be wrongfully accused of a terrible crime. When Scout asks why Atticus would attempt such a daunting task, Atticus replies, "Because if I didn't, I couldn't hold my head up." As Tom's court date looms near, Scout and her father prepare to face the town, hoping and wondering if justice will persevere. As characters grapple with circumstances such as racism, class, or unrequited love, profound questions arise about human life, social pressures, and societal expectations.

The neighborhood cast is rounded out with Hank Cartwright, Mamie Colombero, Janelle Rae Davis, Jane Fellows, Caren Graham, Anthony Green, Rob Harrison, David Heath, Eric Island, Rhona Klein, Zucca Scotto di Carlo, Jeremy Southard, Matthew Sunderland, and Luke Wyngarden.

The creative team includes stage direction by Brenda Hubbard, scenic design is by John Gerth, lighting design is by Kurt Herman, costume design is by Sue Bonde, assistant costume design is by Nanette Berg, sound design is by Andrew Bray, and properties are by Sarah Andrews. The stage manager is Annie Bosworth Foley and the producer is Steve Knox.

Photo by Triumph Photography