show review.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” The words of Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s immortal classic are a lesson none of us can hear enough. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and director Joe Discher have brought this classic to stunning life. Brent Harris is superb as Atticus Finch, channeling the best of Gregory Peck’s performance while adding warmth of his own.
In order to preserve the narrative flow, Nisi Sturgis weaves through the action as the adult Jean Louise Finch, playing the role with humor and wisdom. Emmanuelle Nadeau, Frankie Seratch, and Ethan Haberfield, who play Scout, Jem, and Dill, respectively, are fantastic, perfectly embodying the innocence of their characters. In addition, Ray Fischer as Tom Robinson and Alexis Hyatt as Mayella Ewell infuse their roles with just the right amount of pathos and passion.
The set design was appropriately versatile, easily shifting between the large front porches of the neighborhood and the courthouse. The lighting evoked the lazy and sweltering days of an Alabama summer, and the costumes were just right for the era. Once again, the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey has turned a beloved classic into a work of living art with an important message of tolerance and love.
For more information on the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ visit www.shakespearenj.org.
show review.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. Until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” The words of Atticus Finch in Harper Lee’s immortal classic are a lesson none of us can hear enough. The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and director Joe Discher have brought this classic to stunning life. Brent Harris is superb as Atticus Finch, channeling the best of Gregory Peck’s performance while adding warmth of his own.
