This summer, the Ohio Theatre Columbus presents the stage adaptation of the great American novel, To Kill a Mockingbird! The award-winning play, based on the 1960 Novel by Harper Lee, will take over the prime entertainment venue from 6th June to 11th, with a total of eight coveted performances! Adapted for the stage by playwright Aaron Sorkin and director Barlett Sher, To Kill a Mockingbird is regarded as one of America’s most enlightening and eye-opening stage shows of all time. Even though most people already know the story’s plot through the novel and film, they’ve never seen anything like the award-winning stage play! Indeed, experiencing To Kill a Mockingbird at the Ohio Theatre – Columbus is a must, and you should grab your tickets now!
To Kill a Mockingbird’s story has been retold many times, but the show presents several surprises. The stage adaptation’s point of view begins with Atticus Finch, who’s given a challenging assignment. He serves as a defense attorney for a black man named Tom Robinson, who was accused of raping a young white woman named Mayell Ewell. Although the law says that a man is innocent until proven guilty, the townsfolk of Maycomb, Alabama, already have their own prejudices. Hence, many implored Finch to turn down the assignment. Being the honorable man that he is, Finch accepts the task and promises to defend Robinson to the best of his ability. But this assignment comes with a few nuisances, such as being harassed by overzealous citizens.
These events are a product of fiction, but Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Harper Lee has based many occurrences from her life as a child of an attorney. Like Finch, her father was assigned to defend two black men accused of murder. The men were found guilty, convicted, and then executed. However, during 1919, the justice system doesn’t play so well for black defendants – something that still holds relevance even in 2023. The novel, published in 1960, tells stories of injustice, social prejudice, and racial inequality.
The remarkable play has garnered many praises for numerous professional critics. The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar mentioned that the play “offers a thorough indictment of the American justice system, from the bigoted white jury who convict an innocent black man against all the evidence in his favor – the echoes still resound today.” She added that Harper Lee would approve of this excellently produced stage adaptation. Meanwhile, David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter also provided positive feedback in his raving review. “Perhaps the most notable achievement of this thoughtful adaptation, and Bartlett Sher’s meticulously calibrated Broadway production, is that it makes us hang on every word as if experiencing the story for the first time.”
“The late Lee would approve.” – Guardian
“Sher has made sure that every movement, every perfectly cast face, every stage picture, and costume tells the story so precisely that it would do so even without words.” – New York Times
In her review, Jesse Green from The New York Times complimented every aspect of the show. “Sher has made sure that every movement, every perfectly cast face, every stage picture, and costume tells the story so precisely that it would do so even without words.” Lastly, Rolling Stone’s Peter Travers’ insightful write-up mentioned that readers of the novel must also experience the play. “Sher has made sure that every movement, every perfectly cast face, every stage picture, and costume tells the story so precisely that it would do so even without words.” He added, “This Mockingbird stands on its own. And it sparks theatrical fireworks that light up the stage.”
To Kill a Mockingbird opens at the Ohio Theatre – Columbus on Tuesday, 6th June 2023. The production will hold eight shows at the 2,700-seater theater and will close on Sunday, 11th June 2023. If you’re keen on seeing the highly-praised play, you’ll be pleased to know that the event takes place at Ohio’s prime entertainment destination, the Ohio Theatre – Columbus. Since 1928, the theater has hosted many of the city’s most exciting music concerts, Broadway musicals, and groundbreaking plays. Today, the venue is now a historical landmark that provides top-tier facilities for a great entertainment experience.
If you love plays with incredible writing, a stellar cast, and incredible direction, you should check out the stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s timeless novel. Tickets to see To Kill a Mockingbird at the Ohio Theatre Columbus are now available!
