Mar 9

Friday night’s performance of “To Kill a Mockinbird” made for a fantastic and memorable night at the Perot Theatre. The packed house got to experience something special, judging by the standing ovation offered to the Montana Rep players at the end of the show. I’d been a little cautious about how Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel would translate to the stage, but it’s clear Christopher Sergel’s adaptation found a natural home there. Montana Rep’s theatrical production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” gets the heart and poetry of Harper Lee’s novel just right. Mikel MacDonald shined as Atticus Finch by showing us the humanity of Atticus in addition to the nobility of his character. The coming-of-ages of Scout, Jem, and Dill were portrayed with energy and insight by the three actresses tapped for the roles. Along with thoughtful staging and smooth direction, it all made for a powerful night of theater. 

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photo of the courtroom scene: 

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Feb 13

Once Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers and Bob the Builder all come and go in Texarkana, next up for the Texarkana Regional Arts and Humanities Council at the Perot Theatre is the play adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Author Harper Lee’s timeless classic probably needs little introduction, as does the great film with Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. But the theatrical adaptation is likely less familiar to fans of the film and novel. I spoke recently with Mikel MacDonald, who plays Atticus in this touring show by Montana Repertory Theatre (they brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” to us last year). He said the play follows the novel closely. “So the script is really a lot like the book,” MacDonald said, noting the adaptation keeps much of the book’s poetry intact. I’ll have the complete advance story on next Friday’s Accent page.

On a personal note, it’s one of my favorite books and favorite films, and the story is a deeply powerful and poignant testament the human need for justice. The show plays on Friday, March 6, at 7:30 p.m. 

- Aaron Brand

Submitted photo:

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Dec 22

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is surely one of my favorite movies of all time. I bet it’s up there near the top for many people. It’s a timeless masterpiece, featuring an amazing performance by Gregory Peck as small-town Southern lawyer Atticus Finch, who defends the wrongly accused Tom Robinson. The film also has low-key, competent and subtle direction from Robert Mulligan, who died this past weekend.

Here’s the story from the A.P.: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081222/ap_en_mo/obit_mulligan.

And here’s a neat clip from YouTube that has photos from the film and Peck’s famous court speech. It’s powerful.

- Aaron Brand

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