By GLENN DOBBS
A Seat on the Aisle
“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
Author Christopher Sergel wrote his stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize winning book in 1970, intending it for educational theater. However, the play proved widely popular among both community and professional theater groups and has toured globally since the 1980’s.
Carmel Community Players brings the story to The Cat Theatre in Carmel. This play has a sprawling cast that barely fits on the small Cat stage. Set in a fictitious town in Jim Crow Alabama in the 1930s, the plot explores the consequences of a sexual attack on a young white woman allegedly by a young African American man.
Although the Atticus Finch character is a dominant force in the play, in reality the lead in the play is Scout, his young daughter. Harper Lee’s genius stroke was telling this story through the eyes of children.
(From left) Drake Smith as Jem Finch, Rylee Odle as Scout, and Jackson Odle-Stollings as Dill. (Photo by Erin Keller)
The role of Scout is portrayed by two actors – one tasked with the child and the other an adult looking back on the scene as a memory. Ms. Rylee Odle played the young Scout and principle witness of the story. In many ways she steals the show with youthful charm, pluck, and courage. It is through her hopeful eyes that we participate in this morality play. Ms. Odle showed great talent, humor, and range. I believed she was 10 years old. Ms. Ashley Sherman showed us the grown Scout. A woman of poise and thoughtfulness narrating the story and looking back on the lessons taught. She gave the role the needed perspective and gentle humor.
Ms. Odle’s Scout was ably supported by Drake Smith as her young brother Jem and Jackson Odle-Stollings as their friend Dill. They brought impish charm and childish curiosity to their roles. Despite the seriousness of the situation, in their innocence they brought much needed comic relief.
Kent Phillips brings us the iconic role of Atticus Finch. Atticus is a larger-than-life character. Having been presented to the world during the burgeoning Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, he is forever etched in the annals of literature as one of the great heroes. With such a titular role, there are many ways to interprets the part. Mr. Phillips chose to speak quietly and clearly and let the beautiful dialogue do the heavy lifting. Although there were moments where his tone drifted into messianic notes, Mr. Phillips delivered his role with great conviction. He showed the tectonic power of a good and decent man who has a conscious. Atticus’ courage inspires all of us to do what is right even at great cost to ourselves.
This production is blessed with a good supporting cast. They make this fictional Alabama town come alive with real people. I think of Tim Jamriska playing Mr. Gilmer, the prosecutor. Mr. Gilmer’s comic manic energy was tempered with real menace. The quiet dignity of Jurrell Spenser as Tom Robinson, the accused, added weight to the danger of the situation. There is the hopeful optimism of Mary Garner as Miss Maudie who can see the world is changing and the close-minded suspicious Miss Stephanie, played by Jeanne Lewis, who is unable to see past her own prejudice. Jada Moon (Calpurnia), Trinity Pruitt (Helen Robinson), and Sidney Blake (Reverend Sykes) all fleshed out their characters to great effect.
I want to single out Samantha Lewis’ Mayella Ewell – the alleged victim. You could feel her oppressed life and the weight of her sense of shame. It was devastating. I applaud Mark Philip for playing the nefarious Bob Ewell. Playing such a vile human being is taxing. Well done.
And Jean Adams – this veteran actress showed us the vibrant character of Mrs. Dubose, full of bile and tragedy. Ms. Adams was a treat to watch.
Mike Sosnowski as Sheriff Heck Tate, Austin Uebelhor as Nathan and Boo Radley, Dwayne Lewis as Mr. Cunningham, Thomas Amick as the Clerk, and David Dessaue as Judge Taylor round out the excellent cast.
The show was directed by Andrea Odle. I spoke with her briefly before the show began and remarked what a challenge it must have been to move such a large cast around so small a stage. Now that I have seen the show, I am pleased to report she handled the task adroitly. Ms. Odle made excellent use of the small space without it ever feeling too crowded. She has crafted a well-known story with fresh life, and despite its familiarity, it still feels new. I congratulate her.
Bottom Line: When Jeff Daniels, who played Atticus Finch on Broadway, was asked about the play, he responded, “Read the damn book!” He is right. This play is important and enduring and Carmel Community Players presents a production well worth your time. You should see this play. It’s important – now more than ever.
To Kill and Mockingbird continues at the Cat Theatre in Carmel through Sept. 21. Tickets can be obtained by visiting carmelplayers.org.
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