TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
A myth persists–in commercials for Country Time Lemonade and Pepperidge Farm cookies, in the songs of John Cougar Mellencamp, in the whimsy of Garrison Keillor–about the basic, pure goodness of our jerkwater hamlets. But there’s always been a dark side to this American dream. Lynch mobs, David Duke, and David Lynch suggest that lurking beneath the sweet smell of hot corn fritters is the stench of evil.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
Using a cast of 30, the largest in its history, Wisdom Bridge Theatre delivers a wonderfully entertaining and moving production of the play. If it doesn’t soar to the heights of the novel or the movie version starring Gregory Peck, it certainly acquits itself nobly with an abundance of intelligence and a refreshing lack of pretension. Calling on WLS TV newsman Joel Daly to take the pivotal role of Atticus Finch might seem a peculiar and provincial choice for director Jeffrey Ortmann to make, but it’s nearly a stroke of brilliance. What Daly lacks in acting skill, he more than makes up for in avuncular geniality, which gives the production a delightful, homey feet. He doesn’t play Atticus Finch; he is Atticus Finch.
