PR2004 Jan 26

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Wendy Jones 205-391-2310

Classic “TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD”

Comes to Stage of Bean-Brown Theatre

(Tuscaloosa) – Theatre Tuscaloosa and the Shelton State Community College Theatre Department will present the classic dramatization of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the Bean-Brown Theatre on the campus of Shelton State Community College, 9500 Old Greensboro Road in Tuscaloosa.

This timeless tale of the innocence of childhood and the shock of growing up will run for eight performances from February 12 through February 22. The drama provides a poignant look at justice and the human spirit, as told through the eyes of a young girl learning the mysteries and realities of adulthood.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is based on the only novel by Harper Lee. Born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama, Lee's childhood bears many similarities to Scout, the central character of “Mockingbird,” although it is not autobiographical. Lee drew on her own experience as a young girl in the South to create a rich atmosphere filled with the distinct voices of the people in the fictional town of Maycomb. Lee once stated, "The novel is a love story pure and simple. My love of the South, a father's love for his children and the love they give in return."

“To Kill a Mockingbird” was first published in 1960. It quickly garnered acclaim, winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961, making Lee the first woman to win the award since 1942. The story was turned into a movie in 1962, starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch and winning numerous awards of its own. Dramatized for the stage by Christopher Sergel in 1970, the play retains more of the original novel's prose than the movie.

Told through the perspective of eight-year old Scout, "To Kill a Mockingbird" is set in a small Southern town during the Depression. She and her brother Jem are being raised by their widower father Atticus and by a strong-minded housekeeper Calpurnia.

Directed by Paul Looney, “To Kill a Mockingbird” features a cast headed by Laura Jean Allen as Scout, Jameson Sanford as her brother Jem, Jillian Bell as Calpurnia and Jeff Wilson returning to the role of Atticus Finch which he played in Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 1989 production.

“To play Atticus once was a dream; to portray him again is spiritual. Over the past 15 years the words and values of Atticus have often been a guide for me,” said Wilson.

The large cast production also includes Deborah Parker, Linda Olivet, Rubye Fay Taylor, Cliff Williams III, Bill Aldridge, Dylan Snyder, Ben Rawls, Andy Duncan, George Thagard, Rashard Elliot, Susie Johnson, Russell L. Frost, Terry Olivet, Glen Johnson, Cleveland Ewing, Ashley Bell, Eileen Ellison, Shaquesha Powe, Derrick Lewis, Jason Spencer, Jerrell Bowden, Julie Love Templeton, Lisa Bordelon, Becky Sheehan, Beth Chandler, Helene Sanford, Amanda Edge, Chris Champion, Wescott Youngson, Frank Thagard, Jon Aldridge, Wright Gatewood and Landon Turner.

Paul Looney, Artistic Director Emeritus of Theatre Tuscaloosa and production director and scenic designer said, “This work is as important today as it was 15 years ago when I first directed it and 45 years ago when Harper Lee wrote it. To Kill a Mockingbird contains universal themes but at its core it is a personal story of a remembered childhood. I hope our audiences will enter into this remembered world and discover or rediscover their own connection with this most cherished Southern literary classic.”

In addition to Looney, artistic staff for “To Kill a Mockingbird” includes Jeanette Waterman as costume designer, Charlie Dennis as lighting designer and Shannon Lynch as stage manager.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” opens at the Bean-Brown Theatre on Thursday, February 12 at 7:30 P.M. Additional performances are scheduled for February 13 and 14 at 7:30 P.M. and Sunday, February 15 at 2:00 P.M. Performances continue with a weekday matinee on Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 P.M. Evening performances resume on February 20 and 21 at 7:30 P.M. The closing performance will be on Sunday, February 22 at 2:00 P.M.

Tickets prices are $15 for adults, $12 for students and senior citizens and $5 for Shelton State Community College students who present a Student I.D. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Theatre Tuscaloosa Box Office in the lobby of the Bean-Brown Theatre or with a credit card by phone by calling 205-391-2277.

Production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is supported in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts with corporate support provided by Mercedes-Benz U.S. International.

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

RUN UNTIL FEBRUARY 22, 2004

Theatre Tuscaloosa and the Shelton State Community College Department of Theatre bring Alabama’s most beloved story to life on the stage of the Bean-Brown Theatre. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a tale of dignity, tolerance and the difficulties of growing up in Depression-era Alabama. A faithful adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD opens February 12 with performances continuing through February 22. For ticket information, call the Theatre Tuscaloosa box office 205-391-2277.