Indianapolis Repertory Theatre

To Kill a Mockingbird remains an enduring
story of tolerance and racial awareness

by Rebecca R. Bibbs

When Harper Lee published her one and only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, nearly half a century ago, she probably never envisioned seeing a president of color in the White House. As she described the segregated Alabama courthouse where the 1935 rape trial of Tom Robinson took place, she surely never dared believe the doors to the White House would open to a Black man in her lifetime.

Though it seems we’ve come a long way — and maybe sooner than some of us imagined — To Kill a Mockingbird is a story remains all too real. Even for those of us who have not lived through the extremes portrayed in Christopher Sergel’s stage adaptation of the book, the harshness of those times for Black Americans remains alive in the experiences of those we love.

To Kill a Mockingbird is the tale of Scout Finch, portrayed by Tessa Buzzetti in Indianapolis Repertory Theatre’s performance, who witnesses the divisive trial and tries to sort out how a community can unjustly accuse a man simply because he’s Black.

On the surface, the adult themes and ugly realities may not seem appropriate for children. But To Kill a Mockingbird, seen through the eyes of Scout remains the most read book by high school students in the United States and has sold more than 30 million copies in 40 languages.

Each character plays a pivotal role in laying out the accusation and the issues behind it. IRT veteran Mark Goetzinger gives us a thoughtful Atticus Finch. Jonathan Tremaine delivers an empathetic Robinson. Robert Johansen plays the simpleton father Bob Ewell — successfully evoking sympathy for an ignorant, unsympathetic character. Dwandra Nickole lifts the mood with a little comic relief fussing at the children as she ushers them out of the courtroom.

To Kill a Mockingbird continues on IRT’s mainstage through Feb. 21. Times and ticket prices vary. Call (317) 635-5252 or log on www.indianarep.com.