Hale Center Theater's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' a tale well told

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD; Hale Center Theater Orem; now through June 19; directed by David Morgan; tickets 801-226-8600, HaleTheater.org; running time 2 hours, 20 minutes, one intermission

OREM — Hale Center Theater, which is usually full of music, fun and lighthearted fare, has decided on a change of pace: "To Kill a Mockingbird," which is sobering and not so fun.

Based on the book by Harper Lee — required reading in high school for most — the stage adaptation does a good job at telling a story of prejudice and injustice to people whose skin color, thankfully, matters less now than a few decades ago.

The story is thought-provoking and absorbing, even while it makes you a little uncomfortable.

Racial epithets and terms are still jarring. Such racism feels so outrageous.

And one can't help but hope that this time, the jury deliberating the case of Tom Robinson will make a different decision in this watershed story.

All that aside, Hale Center Theater's portrayal of this story is, for the most part, well done.

The first act is slow and talky and rests almost entirely on the shoulders of three young actors. The pacing could be picked up (and later, there was a definite pause when someone missed a line). But the second act is reward enough for hanging in there.

Bailee Johnson plays the young "Scout" Finch in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday cast and does a credible job handling both the Southern accent and the spirited, high-pitched dialogue.

Her brother, Jem, played by Austin Maynes (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), does a nice job, as well. Parker Paulsen (on the same days), however, is remarkable at Dill Harris. He's fresh and bold in his part.

Adult standouts include Travis Webb in the part of Robinson. He does a masterful job playing the deferential black man clearly aware of the trouble he's in because he stopped to help a young white woman.

Atticus Finch, played by Justin Kennington (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays), is eloquent and kind. He plays his part with heart and courage.

Sheriff Heck Tate, played by Mike Gray, is another character who takes a smaller role but fills it with depth.

The older version of Scout Finch and narrator, Heather Jones, keeps the story fluid.

Rachel Baird (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays) puts emotion and serious angst into the part of Mayella Ewell as she lies about being attacked by Robinson.