BWW Reviews: A Strong TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Harrisburg Shakespeare Co.

Megan Massie notes, "I've done a lot of victim roles in the past.  Mayella's a victim, too – but she's not innocent.  And she's got such a past,  I grew up in a wonderful, loving family, so it was such a challenge" playing Mayella, who may or may not have been raped, but who is certainly a victim of some form or another of family abuse.  Notes Thomsen, who plays her father, "It's always fun playing the villain, but in this it's also tiring.  Here I get to unleash the portion of myself that's unfit for polite society.  Ewell unleashes some powerful emotions." 

Thomas Weaver, scenic coordinator and technical director, has designed an extremely well-thought-out set for this production, redolent of heat, humidity, and the financial woes of 1930's Alabama.  Its use of multiple levels to create streets, courtroom balconies, and the like is particularly sound, especially for the limited stage space available.  

Having read the book or seen the film is no prerequisite for enjoying the play, which stands quite well on its own.  If anything, recollections of the movie, now enjoying its 50^th anniversary re-release, may get in the way, as this production of the play is based upon the book.  All three versions of the well-known story deserve their own consideration.  It's well worth spending the time to consider this particular one, if you have the chance.

 At Harrisburg Shakespeare Company through November 19.  For tickets, call Gamut at 717-238-4111 or visit www.gamutplays.org.

Graphic credit: Gamut Plays

America's most uncoordinated childhood ballet and tap student before discovering that her talents were music and writing, Marakay Rogers finally traded in her violin for law school when she realized that she might make more money in law than she did performing with the Potomac Symphony and in orchestra pits around the mid-Atlantic. She has never recovered from being chewed out by Terrence Mann in public for hanging up her bow. A graduate of Wilson College (PA), Marakay is also a writer, film reviewer and interviewer for the Wilkes-Barre (PA) Independent Gazette, science-fiction publications, and other news outlets. She's also taught college-level communications, writing, and English literature classes, has received multiple writing awards, and is listed in Marquis' "Who's Who in America". In her free time, Marakay practices law and often gets it right.

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