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Youngstown Playhouse cast excels in classic ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
By LORRAINE WARDLE
YOUNGSTOWN
Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the most widely read and well loved novels in American history.
It’s no surprise, then, that the Youngstown Playhouse’s latest production, an adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” has been the subject of much excitement. The play opened Friday with an excellent cast that does not disappoint.
Lee’s novel has been adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. Sergel’s adaptation leaves a little to be desired, however.
Most of the characters are one-dimensional, giving the audience little to relate to. He does include many of the books famous lines, though he skims the explanation of title: Why is it a sin to kill a mockingbird?
Sergel also changed the narrator from an adult Jean-Louise to Maudie Atkinson, the neighbor. While this doesn’t change the plot, it does takes away some of the emotional ties the audience feels for Scout and diminishes Scout’s importance as a character.
Despite the few faults with the script, directors Candace Dillulo and Johnny Pecano have put together an excellent show.
The first act is mostly exposition and introduction of characters. The performance moves quickly, but glosses over the characters and background, leading up to the famous courtroom scene. Here, the play lives up to its potential, with good pacing and tense delivery.
The play grows stronger in the second act as the courtroom scene continues. Dillulo and Pecano stage the scene so that the audience is the jury, successfully drawing us in to the action. From there, the play moves smoothly to its climactic finish, in which the mysterious Boo Radley makes a brief appearance.
Dillulo and Pecano’s cast are what make this production worthwhile. Mikel Rose Flatley was a natural as Scout. She delivered her lines with perfect innocence and sincerity, taking in the world with wide eyes.
As older brother Jem, Nick Narkum did a nice job with a somewhat flat character. Both Jem and Dill had little to say and do in the play; it felt as if Sergel had written them into the play only because he had to. But Narkum played Jem with appropriate maturity and authenticity.
Likewise, Donny Wolford was an excellent Dill, though a little old for the part. Dill is a 5-year-old, while Wolford is easily double that, making his first line, “I’m Charles Baker Harris; I can read!” a little ridiculous. But Wolford’s talent shines through, making his Dill a wise and sensitive child.
The real star of the show is, of course, Atticus Finch, the father and lawyer whose high morals set him apart from the rest. With a hint of a southern accent, James McClellan’s Atticus was a southern gentleman with a strong conviction and weary heart.
The supporting cast was excellent and helped to bring the play to life. Sam Perry’s Bob Ewell could have been a stereotypical character, but Perry made him real and menacing. As his daughter Mayella, eighth-grader Casey Burke showed poise beyond her years.
Meysha Harville played housekeeper Calpurnia, another underdeveloped role, with care and apprehension. Wolford was a perfect sheriff Heck Tate, struggling to do what was right. Brenda Hickman, as Maudie Atkinson, shifted smoothly between her lines as a character to narrator.
Pecano and Kim Lybarger have created a beautiful set, and Dilullo’s costumes fit perfectly in the depression era.
“To Kill a Mockingbird” continues at the Youngstown Playhouse at 7:30 p.m. Friday and next Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Call 330-788-8739 for reservations.