The Play Adaptation of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Kills Only the Audiences’ Expectations

To+Kill+a+Mockingbird+book+is+displayed+at+a+lunch+counter+on+March+6%2C+2006%2C+in+Fresno%2C+Calif.+On+Friday%2C+Aug.+25%2C+2022+The+Associated+Press+reported+on+stories+circulating+online+incorrectly+claiming+Florida+banned+%E2%80%98To+Kill+a+Mockingbird%2C%E2%80%99+as+fake+list+suggests.

AP Newsroom

“To Kill a Mockingbird” book is displayed at a lunch counter on March 6, 2006, in Fresno, Calif. On Friday, Aug. 25, 2022 The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Florida banned ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ as fake list suggests.

Destiny Albrecht, Staff writer

The heart-wrenching, life-changing story of a wise lawyer defending the honor of a wrongly accused man of color took the stage on March 11, but the play didn’t live up to the great story read by every high school student at EHS.

“To Kill A Mockingbird” is read by millions every year and many know the story. In this production held at the Fox, it took on a different approach with the narration. 

I don’t know if it was the grown woman who played the main character Scout and the way she ran around the stage like a lunatic or the racist old white man that sat behind me and laughed during the trial of Tom Robinson, but the play was meh. I enjoyed many aspects of it, but it didn’t impress me like I thought it would.

I thought that the production was funny at times, and it kept me entertained. Many jokes were included, and the audience was eating it up.

The story, as always, was touching and incredibly emotional. Many around the grand room were feeling the heavy weight of our country’s horrible past, which is exactly the goal of the novel. 

I thought it was pretty accurate with the storytelling and was parallel to the book. Not much seemed out of place.

The set was amazing, and I enjoyed watching them transition from one place to another. They did it so calmly and tied it into the play many times. It didn’t seem like an interruption but more so part of the show.

There were a few criticisms that I had throughout the production such as the woman who played Scout. First of all, she was a grown woman with a baby voice. While this is honestly so disturbing, she also had a southern accent for half the show and the other half, she didn’t. It was quite confusing because that’s the whole point of the book. It takes place in the South, and you can’t tackle the whole situation in the story without the important characteristic of it being in the South.

Also, she ran around like a crazy woman on stage, along with the other guys, and it just irked me the wrong way. It reminded me of the episode of “Friends” where Rachel is embarrassed to run with Phoebe because she flails her arms around as she runs. It was very much giving that vibe and I was not liking it.

This wasn’t part of the play, but there was an old white man sitting behind me literally laughing during the trial- you know, the one where characters are being racist to Tom Robinson and trying to kill him. Like what are you doing? It is 2023, get a grip.

Overall, it wasn’t too bad of a play and I would go see it again, however, I wouldn’t spend the money I did to see it this first time. Musicals are more my jam, but this quiet and emotional play was worth it.