Last Fall, my son came home with his first honors English reading assignment and the book was the same one I read in my own high school honors, English class. To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee has become a classic, winning the Pulitzer Prize and even being hailed by British librarians as a book that every adult should read before they die. Holding the record as the highest-grossing American play in Broadway history, To Kill a Mockingbird will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from December 28th through January 8th, 2023.
To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic of modern American literature and a book that is widely read by students every year. Author Harper Lee published the book in 1960 and it immediately garnered favorable reviews from critics. The story and characters are loosely based on Lee’s observations of her family, her neighbors, and an event that occurred near her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama in 1936 when she was ten years old.
To Kill Mockingbird deals with issues of racial inequality and is well-loved by audiences for its warmth and humor. The story is told by Jean Louise Finch (“Scout”), during the Great Depression in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama. Scout and her brother Jeremey (“Jem”) live with their father Atticus and a black cook named Calpurnia, who helps him raise the children. Atticus is a lawyer and appointed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman but is innocent of the crime. The story deals with issues of class, courage, tolerance, and compassion in the deep South. Atticus specifically has been a moral hero for readers and a model of integrity for lawyers.
To Kill a Mockingbird on Broadway
Our familiarity with the story and its significance compelled us to see To Kill a Mockingbird at Segerstrom Center for the Arts this winter. Written and adapted by Aaron Sorkin, To Kill a Mockingbird opened on Broadway in 2018. The story is reminiscent of the book and details how lawyer Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of rape in 19302 Alabama. Sorkin took some liberties with his stage version of the play and depicts Atticus as the protagonist (as opposed to his daughter Scout), which allows his character to evolve throughout the show.
When To Kill a Mockingbird opened, it was deemed “the most successful American play in Broadway history” by the New York Times Critic’s Pick. One of the most noticeable variations from the book is the fact that Sorkin begins the play at the start of Tom’s trial, then proceeds to provide backstory through scenes that go back in time. My son accompanied me to the play, and as a teen, anticipated a very literal translation of the story to the stage. However, I found that the decision to begin the play at this point was effective in drawing audiences into the story, particularly those who may not be as familiar with the book’s original story. We were captivated and engaged throughout the duration of the two-act play, and I was absolutely enthralled with the incredible period set design. This was our first Broadway play and we felt like we were experiencing the classic story of To Kill a Mockingbird for the very first time.
Book Drive
During all performances of To Kill a Mockingbird at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, the center has partnered with CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) Foundation to hold a book drive for their Family Resource Center. Donate new reading and coloring books to help CHOC provide books to patients, their parents, and their siblings. Donations bins are located in the Plaza level lobby.
To Kill a Mockingbird Tickets and Showtimes
To Kill a Mockingbird will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts from December 27th through January 8th, 2023. Single tickets start at $29 and can be purchased online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office (600 Town Center Drive in Costa
Mesa), or by calling (714) 556-2787.
Performances are as follows:
To Kill A Mockingbird
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Hall
December 27, 2022 to January 8, 2023
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday Evenings at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
You can also find a limited number of discounted tickets on Goldstar.com.
To Kill a Mockingbird Lottery Tickets
A limited number of $36 Lucky Seats to select performances of To Kill a Mockingbird will be available to purchase. To enter the lottery, create a Lucky Seat account. Check your email around 11 am on the Fridays listed below to find out if you won. Drawings begin at 11 am PST and continue throughout the day. Winners will have a limited window to purchase and claim tickets.
Lottery Schedule:
Performances on Dec 27, 2022 – Jan 1, 2023
Entries must be received by Fri, Dec 23, 2022, at 10:30 am PT
Performances on Jan 3, 2023 – Jan 8, 2023
Entries must be received by Fri, Dec 30, 2022, at 10:30 am PT
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