As the third main stage offering of its 98th season, The Community Players of Concord will
present “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation of the 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee. The classic story was also featured in the 1962 Oscar-winning film starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. The Players’ production will be performed May 1-3 and is directed by Elizabeth Lent (“The Gods of Comedy”, “Murder on the Orient Express”).
“To Kill a Mockingbird” depicts a disturbing chapter of life in a sleepy Depression-era Alabama town, where nine-year-old Scout and her brother Jem live with their widowed father, attorney Atticus Finch. The façade of the seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young black man is accused of a terrible crime. Driven by an unshakeable moral conviction, Atticus defends the man in a trial that sends violent waves throughout the community. Timeless and lingering, this iconic work explores prejudice, compassion and the courage to do what is right. Despite the serious topics it tackles, this story is also well-loved for its touches of warmth and humor.
Moreover, Atticus Finch continues to serve as a model of integrity for those in the legal profession and a moral hero for all.
“Though set in 1935, it is not a nostalgic look back, but a hard-hitting look at the costs of the undercurrents of prejudice, class and race, which continue to resonate in our society today,” said Lent. “There are many perspectives in the story that need to be considered, perspectives that vary according to each of the characters as the town bears witness to the events as they unfold.”
This production features Chris Demers (“Noises Off”, “Boeing, Boeing”, “The Philadelphia Story”) as Atticus, Emerson Sullivan as Scout, Emerson Morse as Jem, Simon Hutchins (“Something Rotten, Jr.”) as Dill, Saphaedra Renee (“Witness for the Prosecution”) as Calpurnia, Patricia Kegel (“Witness for the Prosecution”) as Miss Maudie and newcomer Matthew Murray as Tom Robinson. The cast also includes Tina Annis, Chris Connell, Angel Douglas, Nicole Gauvreau, Erik Hodges, Jeremy Lent, Matt Mattingly, Dana Sackos, Gregory Stuart, Griffin Stuart and Sharon Sweet, as well others portraying various townspeople.
Content warning: This production contains racial slurs, depictions of violence and racism, and references to sexual abuse. There will be a brief gunfire sound effect.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” will be performed Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince Street in Concord. The May 3rd performance will be ASL interpreted. Tickets for adults are $22 and $20 for juniors/seniors.
Tickets may be purchased online at communityplayersofconcord.org. The theatre box office
opens 90 minutes before each performance. Deaf patrons attending the May 3 rd performance, may contact the box office chair at Jim.Webber@communityplayersofconcord.org to reserve seats in the section nearest the interpreters. Merrimack County Savings Banks is the presenting sponsor for the Community Players’ 98 th season. To Kill a Mockingbird is sponsored by Orr and Reno. ASL interpretation is funded by a grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.