March 6th, 2009
By Divina
Last night I had a surprisingly wonderful night at the Hartford Stage in Hartford, CT.
Eddy and I live in Stratford, CT. New York City and Hartford are an hour away in the opposite directions and we hardly ever go north except to go to UCONN football and basketball games. (GO HUSKIES!)
So when I was given the opportunity to attend last night’s performance of To Kill a Mocking Bird because of work I jumped at the offer. I loved Harper Lee’s book and still find the black and white 1962 movie thought-provoking and very entertaining.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a coming of age story of Jem and Scout Finch set in the 1930’s Alabama. We first meet Jem and Scout when they are 10 and 6. They are both fun loving, trouble making little kids who become obsessed with their reclusive neighbor, Boo Radley, the neighborhood bogeyman. Their carefree lives are put to an end when their father, Atticus Finch, is appointed the lawyer of a falsely accused African American man accused of raping a White woman. As they grow up they realize the world is not always fair and the color of your skin does not determine that you are good or better than anyone else. A number of stereotypes and themes are studied including class structure, racism and the difference between good and evil. A truly wonderful book so if you have not read it. Run out to the book store or library for a read.
Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, etc.) had the very challenging task of bringing to life the character of Atticus Finch. A very difficult task since Gregory Peck’s Atticus Finch in the film version earned him a Best Actor Oscar win. But despite my initial reservations, Modine did an amazing job. For over two hours, he was Atticus Finch, a courageous and compassionate father who must survive the trial of his life.
Modine came out before the show to talk to us and thank us for supporting the arts. (Yes, I got to meet him but no picture, darn! Trust me, for 50 years old the man looks fantastic: tall, blonde and handsome. Though my heart still belongs to Eddy and George Clooney.) He was so down to earth and sounded truly appreciative.
The rest of the cast was also very talented and the scenery was amazing. The Hartford Stage may be a smaller theater but they get very creative with the space and the sets that you feel like you are in 1930s Alabama.
Screen writer Horton Foote who won an Oscar for Best Writing Adapted Screen play for the film died this past Tuesday. His daughter, Hallie, was the grown up Scout Finch who was narrating the whole performance.
What a tribute to her father! I am getting teary eyed thinking about it. She did an amazing job and I know her father is smiling down on her.
When Matthew Modine was talking to the group, he mentioned how during his schooling both the art and music programs were cut because of lack of funds. I was very lucky that during my education not only did I have the opportunity to pursue music and art but my parents supported them as well.
So go out and support the arts!
To Kill a Mockingbird will be playing at the Hartford Stage until April 4th . For show times and ticket information go onto www.hartfordstage.org or call 860-527-5151.
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