Oregon Shakespeare Festival

     We arrived late yesterday afternoon.  The sun shone, the banners waved, and the town seemed clotted with young people – a reminder that school is out.  I was pleased to see that last night’s SRO audience at the Bowmer Theater seemed disproportionately youthful.  I choose to believe that’s because of the play being offered, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee which I consider a must as a coming-of-age experience.
     Until I read the program notes last night, I had forgotten that the book won the Pulitzer Prize when it came out back in 1960.  I don’t know when I first read it and I don’t know how many copies I’ve given to young relatives and friends or how many times I’ve seen the movie – which incidentally is one the few worthy film adaptations ever.  (This year’s “True Grit” is another.)
     I had never seen “Mockingbird” in play form, however.  I wondered how playwright Christopher Sergel had adapted it, and I wondered if anyone could possibly come up to Gregory Peck’s depiction of Atticus.  And what of Scout?  Such a big role for a child.
     I was pleasantly surprised on all counts.  Scout appears throughout the play as a nine-year-old, admirably portrayed by Kaya Van Dyke who was age-appropriately cast.  The ‘real-time’ adult Scout, mid-70ish, served as narrator and was played by Dee Maaske, an actress familiar to us from her 19 previous seasons at OSF.
     Mark Murphey, another OSF veteran with 28 seasons under his belt, played Atticus.  As we were leaving the theater afterwards, I overheard a group of girls saying how much he reminded them of Gregory Peck.  No, I thought, each man portrayed Atticus; that’s who you were seeing
     Their comments made me wonder how many of the audience had actually read Lee’s book.   For those who haven’t, the play should prompt them to get a copy.  I know that I’ll be revisiting my well-worn edition when I get home. .