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Post by nedandres on Jun 25, 2022 0:03:25 GMT -5
I had the extreme joy of attending a performance last Friday evening of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD with Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch. I traveled almost three hours to see him at the Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, NY. Richard completely inhabited the role and made us all forget John Boy Walton and even dear Gregory Peck. Richard makes the role his own, without apologies. He is tender in his scenes with his kids Scout and Jem and authoritative in the courtroom scenes while defending Tom Robinson. The story is told from the point of view of Scout, Jem and their friend Dill who "break the wall" and speak directly to the audience about what is happening onstage. It is very effective and quite different from the movie. Speaking of the movie, I would add that the actress who played Scout and was nominated for an Oscar for her role, Mary Badham, is now playing the neighbor, Mrs. Henry Dubose, who is racist AND addicted to morphine. That combination makes her quite ornery. Ms. Badham, having never before acted on the stage prior to this tour, relishes the small role. This is the third time that I have seen Richard in a play, and it is well worth your time and money if you have the opportunity to see him live someday. Currently the production is at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. From there it moves on to the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.
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Post by flossieskid on Jun 25, 2022 5:47:18 GMT -5
What an amazing theater review! It seemed very professional. I am duly impressed! Sadly, we out in La la Land don’t really get much theater out here. If we do, it is usual for maybe a month or so. We don’t have good rapid transit and the higher ticket prices at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion or the Ahmanson Theater are in downtown L.A. and the traffic and ticket prices (and still concerns about Covid) have caused some difficulty in filling up audiences. Plus, you have the fact that actors are not paid nearly enough for a theatrical run here in L.A. Performers can make as much money for a week on any TV episode here in Hollywood than 2 weeks in a live play.
Richard Thomas is an incredibly talented actor and always said his first love is theater. How amazing “Scout” from the movie is performing, as well. Thank you for sharing your review. I just hope Richard is part of the National Touring Company and it comes out this way.
It is an interesting anecdote that the last time I spoke to Richard, one on one, was when I took my Mom to a play at the Ahmanson Theatre and Richard was there with his first wife, Alma. I don’t remember the year. We saw each other at Intermission and both he and my Mom commented something about “This is a far cry from Walton’s Mountain!” and “We both clean up pretty good!” Both statements were quite true!
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Post by Brenda on Jun 25, 2022 11:05:03 GMT -5
My daughter and I had planned to go see it in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, but by the time we found out about it, there weren’t any good seats left, so we are going to try to see it when it’s in Columbus. My 15 year old granddaughter read the book in school last year, so she wants to see it too. Thanks for the excellent review, nedandres .
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Post by nedandres on Jun 25, 2022 12:41:02 GMT -5
What an amazing theater review! It seemed very professional. I am duly impressed! Sadly, we out in La la Land don’t really get much theater out here. If we do, it is usual for maybe a month or so. We don’t have good rapid transit and the higher ticket prices at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion or the Ahmanson Theater are in downtown L.A. and the traffic and ticket prices (and still concerns about Covid) have caused some difficulty in filling up audiences. Plus, you have the fact that actors are not paid nearly enough for a theatrical run here in L.A. Performers can make as much money for a week on any TV episode here in Hollywood than 2 weeks in a live play. Richard Thomas is an incredibly talented actor and always said his first love is theater. How amazing “Scout” from the movie is performing, as well. Thank you for sharing your review. I just hope Richard is part of the National Touring Company and it comes out this way. It is an interesting anecdote that the last time I spoke to Richard, one on one, was when I took my Mom to a play at the Ahmanson Theatre and Richard was there with his first wife, Alma. I don’t remember the year. We saw each other at Intermission and both he and my Mom commented something about “This is a far cry from Walton’s Mountain!” and “We both clean up pretty good!” Both statements were quite true! Hi Tracey, thanks for commenting. It is supposed to be at the Pantages in LA from October 25-November 27. Hope you can go. I’m sure you would enjoy it.
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Post by nedandres on Jun 25, 2022 12:42:13 GMT -5
My daughter and I had planned to go see it in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, but by the time we found out about it, there weren’t any good seats left, so we are going to try to see it when it’s in Columbus. My 15 year old granddaughter read the book in school last year, so she wants to see it too. Thanks for the excellent review, nedandres . I read the book a while back. It’s always good to read the book first, I believe. I’m sure your granddaughter would enjoy it.
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Post by isumpin on Jun 25, 2022 14:51:13 GMT -5
It is coming to NC twice, Once to Charlotte (way too far) and then Durham. I really want to go. I may try to go to Durham although it is not the safest place to be. and i am sure if I carry "Alice" i might run up on a metal detector. Oh Well I haven't had to hands on fight in a few years, I guess I could try it before i actually turn 60. LOL.
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Post by Brenda on Jun 25, 2022 17:01:40 GMT -5
My daughter and I had planned to go see it in Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago, but by the time we found out about it, there weren’t any good seats left, so we are going to try to see it when it’s in Columbus. My 15 year old granddaughter read the book in school last year, so she wants to see it too. Thanks for the excellent review, nedandres . I read the book a while back. It’s always good to read the book first, I believe. I’m sure your granddaughter would enjoy it. The first time I read the book, I was in high school. That was a long time ago, and I’ve reread it a couple of times since. I may try to read it again before going to the play.
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Post by Brenda on Jun 25, 2022 17:09:34 GMT -5
I had the extreme joy of attending a performance last Friday evening of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD with Richard Thomas as Atticus Finch. I traveled almost three hours to see him at the Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, NY. Richard completely inhabited the role and made us all forget John Boy Walton and even dear Gregory Peck. Richard makes the role his own, without apologies. He is tender in his scenes with his kids Scout and Jem and authoritative in the courtroom scenes while defending Tom Robinson. The story is told from the point of view of Scout, Jem and their friend Dill who "break the wall" and speak directly to the audience about what is happening onstage. It is very effective and quite different from the movie. Speaking of the movie, I would add that the actress who played Scout and was nominated for an Oscar for her role, Mary Badham, is now playing the neighbor, Mrs. Henry Dubose, who is racist AND addicted to morphine. That combination makes her quite ornery. Ms. Badham, having never before acted on the stage prior to this tour, relishes the small role. This is the third time that I have seen Richard in a play, and it is well worth your time and money if you have the opportunity to see him live someday. Currently the production is at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. From there it moves on to the Academy of Music in Philadelphia. A few years ago, my daughter and I saw a local theater production of To Kill a Mockingbird in Ashland, Kentucky, and Mary Badham was there as a special guest. She spoke about her experiences and did a question/answer session. She was very interesting, and the performance was wonderful, especially considering they were local actors.
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Post by flossieskid on Jun 26, 2022 8:50:47 GMT -5
Thank you, nedandres, for the info on it playing the Pantages Theater! Usually, all the musicals that hit LA play at that theater in Hollywood, it seems. We have the Metrolink public subway that drops you off very close to the theater, so Angelinos don’t have to fight traffic or parking. Those are definitely a deterrent. I have seen “Wicked” there TWICE!! Shows don’t stay long in LA Theaters, but they can come back 2 or 3 times. I saw those “Wicked” performances 3 years apart!
That theater is a testament to “Old Hollywood” where they use to hold the Academy Awards. It is iconic and you do wonder if you are sitting in the same seat that stars like Clark Gable, Cary Grant or Bette Davis or Joan Crawford sat in!! Obviously, THEIRS wouldn’t be anywhere near each other due to their classic Hollywood rivalry and massive feud that seemed to start when they both came to Hollywood. But, it is fun to wonder which stars shared your seat.
How great Richard is coming out this way. I think I’ll just have to sell my first born to afford the tickets! Thanks so much for letting me know.
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Post by Brenda on Jun 8, 2023 10:11:56 GMT -5
My wish came true! My daughter and I drove up to Columbus, Ohio, yesterday (a nearly 3 hour drive) and finally saw the wonderful performance of Richard Thomas in To Kill a Mockingbird. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
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Post by JessicaGirlSpy on Jun 8, 2023 11:22:37 GMT -5
I would love to see this production of To Kill a Mockingbird. I think Richard Thomas is an excellent choice for Atticus. I also like that they choose to cast an older actress to play Scout. There is still hope for me to play that terrific role 😀🎭
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Post by alanankrett1 on Jun 8, 2023 11:22:47 GMT -5
One of my mother's all time favourite books and films. At present it is being staged at the Gielgud Theatre London starring Matthew Modine as Atticus Finch. Mother hates big cities though and she lives in Cornwall. Shame, because she would love that. I was working in London for six weeks earlier this year and there were the usual poster ads all over London Underground. I too like the original film with Gregory Peck but would like to see it on stage. Maybe one day when I have time to do so. I wonder if Richard Thomas and Matthew Modine are comparing notes ? Hehe
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Post by patriciaanne on Jun 8, 2023 17:40:09 GMT -5
My wish came true! My daughter and I drove up to Columbus, Ohio, yesterday (a nearly 3 hour drive) and finally saw the wonderful performance of Richard Thomas in To Kill a Mockingbird. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it. That's wonderful, Brenda!! Did you get to see Richard at the stage door?
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Post by Brenda on Jun 8, 2023 18:18:12 GMT -5
That's wonderful, Brenda!! Did you get to see Richard at the stage door? I’m afraid not. Too many people around. Just seeing him in the performance was enough for me though.
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Post by alanankrett1 on Jun 9, 2023 10:46:12 GMT -5
I don't know how Richard Thomas looks these days but Atticus Finch was supposed to be in his 50's with young children. Richard is in his early 70's. Maybe he is lasting well enough to pass it off, or the make up department could work their magic. How did he look ? Convincing ?
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