As I walked out of the theater, wishing I’d worn water-proof (i.e. tear-proof) mascara, a woman behind me complained that in this version of To Kill A Mockingbird, the narrator was on stage the whole time. She explained to her date that in the movie, Jean Louise as narrator was never seen, only heard and that this version just ruined it for her.
John Hutton in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Terry Shapiro
It was all I could do not to turn around and say “get over it, lady. This isn’t the movie and it’s another interpretation of how the story should be handled. And it was wonderful!” I said nothing but it was a reminder to be open-minded and look at every adaptation of books, plays and movies with fresh eyes lest a wonderful production such as this one, playing at the Stage Theater of the Denver Center, not be seen for what it is.
I found it fascinating that a woman, Harper Lee, wrote the book To Kill A Mockingbird during the 1950’s at a time when it wasn’t the norm for a woman author to be writing about topics like rape much less taking on issues of racism. However, her timing was perfect. Even though the book takes place in the 1930’s of the south, she was writing it as race relations and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr,’s movement was just getting started, so it was incredibly relevant. To me, a woman’s touch comes through not only in making Scout such a strong female character (at a mere 10 years old) but also in the lilting language she used such as “Finders were keepers unless title were proven. Plucking an occasional camellia, getting a squirt of hot milk from a neighbor’s cow on a summer day was part of our ethical culture…” Gorgeous!
Maurice Jones, Matthew Gary, Caroline Rosenblum, Thomas Russo, Kim Staunton and Charles Weldon in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Terry Shapiro
This production of To Kill A Mockingbird is as gorgeous as the words being spoken. The simple set consisted of wood planks are adorned only with a screen door and large mossy tree. The set only changes from a porch swing at the Finch home to the courtroom where Tom Robinson’s trial takes place. The lighting is dim and dappled. The frequent mopping of men’s brows and ladylike fanning in the courtroom as well as the intimate seating of the theater gives the sense of the air being still, heavy and close. It makes feeling the tension rising throughout the play even more palpable.
Some of my favorite local actors are in this play including John Hutton as Atticus Finch, Philip Pleasants as both Walter Cunningham and Judge Taylor, Kathleen M. Brady as wretched Mrs. Dubose and Kathleen McCall as Jean Louise (narrator). John Hutton gave his Atticus the perfect blend of compassion but firmness. And I loved the way Kathleen McCall’s grown up Jean Louise sometimes mirrored actions and facial expressions with her childhood self, played by young Caroline Rosenblum. A narrator off stage couldn’t have given the sense so clearly of being an adult looking back at oneself as a child and remembering so clearly.
Caroline Rosenblum and Kathleen McCall in the Denver Center Theatre Company’s production of To Kill a Mockingbird. Photo by Terry Shapiro
Although the subjectmatter is difficult and the language can be rough at times, feel confident taking older children to this production. It is an education in great writing, American history, sociology and top notch theater.
To Kill A Mockingbird plays the Stage Theatre through October 30. For tickets call 303-893-4100 or visit www.denvercenter.org.
