All rise for one of the most groundbreaking plays of the decade! To Kill a Mockingbird is coming to the Eccles Theater this September 6 to 11, 2022! The original play, based on Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, travels to Salt Lake City, Utah! The highly-acclaimed show, directed by the esteemed Bartlett Sher, takes the incredible story of Atticus Finch to the stage! The Tony-Award-winning play covers several social issues, such as racial inequality and prejudice. To Kill a Mockingbird, dubbed the “great American novel,” tackles subjects of southern life, racial injustice, and classism. The story will also teach lessons in courage and compassion. This incredible plot has been adapted for the stage by multi-award-winning playwright Aaron Sorkin. So if you loved the novel, we guarantee you’ll have a wonderful experience seeing To Kill A Mockingbird at the Eccles Theater this September! Hurry and grab your tickets now!
To Kill a Mockingbird was a successful 1960 novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Harper Lee. The novel’s timeline is set during the Great Depression. Atticus Finch is a lawyer assigned to defend Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping Mayella Ewell, a young white woman. Although many community members disapprove of his assignment, Finch agrees to defend the black man the best way he can. Although To Kill a Mockingbird is a fictional story, it contains many autobiographical elements based on a 1919 case where two African-American men were falsely accused of murder, then convicted and executed.
In 2018, the novel was adapted into a play, and it opened on Broadway at the Schubert Theater in December 2018. The play became a commercial success, selling more than $1.5 million at the box office. The play’s plot slightly varies from the book as Atticus Finch is the show’s main protagonist, instead of his daughter, Scout. After a successful run on Broadway, the play opened in London’s West End in March 2022, where it also became a success.
To Kill a Mockingbird received plenty of high praises from critics. Jesse Green from the New York Times mentioned that the play’s restructuring of the story made it starkly relevant to modern times. He then continued to complement the play’s ambiance. “It is, for one thing, gorgeously atmospheric, from the weathered barn–red siding that serves as the show curtain to Adam Guettel’s mournful guitar and pumps organ music. 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.” Moreover, Peter Travers from Rolling Stone said that the play isn’t the book or the 1962 film. “This Mockingbird stands on its own. And it sparks theatrical fireworks that light up the stage.”
“This new adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is to be applauded. Simply transferring this beloved tale from page to stage is one thing; attempting to meld two narratives and writing styles is a much bolder endeavor.” – Stevie Hertz from the Economist.
“This Mockingbird stands on its own. And it sparks theatrical fireworks that light up the stage.” – Peter Travers from Rolling Stone.
“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.” – Jesse Green from the New York Times.
Meanwhile, Stevie Hertz from the Economist loved the play’s similarities to the book, such as Finch’s warmth and respect for his children. “This new adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird is to be applauded. Simply transferring this beloved tale from page to stage is one thing; attempting to meld two narratives and writing styles is a much bolder endeavor.”
This 2022, To Kill a Mockingbird goes on a North American tour with a stellar traveling cast. The trek will visit 33 major cities, including Salt Lake City, Utah. The Eccles Theater will host the play from September 6 to 11, with a total of eight showings. The play, which runs for 2 hours and 35 minutes, is recommended for individuals aged 12 and above. Since 2016, the Eccles Theater has been home to Salt Lake City’s top-rated entertainment. The venue has 2,500 comfortable seats and a state-of-the-art audio system, providing guests with the best entertainment experience.
To Kill a Mockingbird’s story was written more than 60 years ago, but its storyline is exceptionally relevant in 2022. For this reason, the play is a must-see endeavor and will provide valuable lessons to its viewers. Tickets to see To Kill A Mockingbird at the Eccles Theater are now available!