You’ve got a few more days to get to the Providence Performing Arts Center to see TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, one of the best productions to come to the Providence theater in some time. (Read our review here.) Based on the 1961 novel by Harper Lee, the play revolves around the trial of an African-American man, falsely accused of rape, and the lawyer who defends him in court.
Two leading characters, Atticus Finch (played by Richard Thomas) and Calpurnia (played by Jacqueline Williams), are both notable in the annals of American fiction. We gained some insight into these characters in interviews with the stars earlier this week at PPAC.
“I re-read the book before I started the play,” said Thomas, widely known for his TV role on “The Waltons.” “It was great to reread it and do a kind of immersion into Harper Lee’s vision to understand the depth of the book and the characters. Anybody who liked that book should read it again as an adult; it is not a YA novel. Of course, kids like it because they are developing their sense of social consciousness at that age. It’s also an amazing book to read if you’re a parent.”
Although not an exact re-telling of the novel, many scenes in the play mimic the original story and the 1962 film, which starred Gregory Peck. However, Atticus in the play “is a completely different character” than the stoic hero in the film, says Thomas. “(Playwright) Aaron (Sorkin) has done a beautiful thing with the story and for the actors who are going to play the part, by taking him off the pedestal.
Indeed, Thomas plays the character as vulnerable and emotive, characteristics that aren’t visable in the original story.
“Aaron right away knew that he did not want to do the ‘white savior’ narrative,” said Thomas. “He did two things… Atticus actually has a lot to learn, rather than just imparting wisdom, he has to get wisdom from other people; he has to learn about community, and he has to learn about himself and his place in the community, where he fits in. And he’s given him a sense of humor. It’s much more fun for an actor, especially in a serious play. His vulnerability in his world makes him a more approachable character.”
“It’s nice to have an audience that admires Atticus, but it’s much more interesting to have an audience that identifies with him. He can’t be perfect; he’s got to be flawed like everybody else.”
Although the play is fundamentally a tragedy, there are a lot of laughs along the way. “Aaron is so great at balancing light and shadow, comedy and tragedy, continued Thomas. “He’ll set up a tragic moment with a great laugh, and he’ll give the audience relief after heavy drama. The audience has a better experience, it’s more entertaining, and more fun.”
Jacqueline Williams stars opposite Thomas as Calpurnia, his maid and head of a busy household with two young children and assorted visitors, not all of them friendly. She shared some insight into the formidable character she knows well.
“I think that’s what might surprise people the most, getting a full view of their relationship, which is really the central relationship in this live theater event,” said Williams. “Calpurnia has decades-long history with the family. They’re very close; there’s a mutual trust between them. They are confidants to each other, there’s a lot of playfulness between them, and they’re free enough to go toe-to-toe with each other from time to time.”
“Calpurnia is wise, witty, quick, and she shoots straight from the hip,” said Williams. “She’s honest, she’s very loving, she’s the truth, the real deal. And she’s a plumb to play.” Her character’s relationship with Atticus is unique – in the Finch home, they are equals; but in 1934 Alabama, where the play is set, sharing mutual respect in public certainly isn’t happening. “They’ve basically been raising these kids together because Scout was only two when their mother passed,” explained Williams.
Calpurnia helps Atticus navigate areas with which he is less familiar – specifically, the African-American community. “There are things that Atticus can’t possibly know, even as liberal as he is, that concern the Black perspective; Calpurnia schools him on many of those things. It’s really a beautiful relationship.”
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD runs at PPAC through Sunday February 11. Click here for tickets.
