Original Scout Finch Actress Joins Broadway Adaptation of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’
By Movieguide® Staff
Playwright Aaron Sorkin recently cast actress Mary Badham in his stage production of the beloved story To Kill a Mockingbird.
Badham played the role of “Scout” Finch in the 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic novel, but will appear on stage as Scout’s racist, drug-addicted neighbor Mrs. Dubose.
The show announced the launch of their first national tour, which starts March 27 in Buffalo.
Deadline reported:
The Broadway production of Sorkin’s adaptation is currently on hiatus and is scheduled to reopen with Greg Kinnear as Atticus on June 1. Jeff Daniels originated the role when Mockingbird opened in 2018 and returned when the production re-opened (at the Shubert Theatre) following the pandemic shutdown. Producers decided to pause production at the height of the Omicron surge in mid-January, and then announced plans to reopen at the smaller Belasco Theatre this summer.
Badham, who is now 69 years old, received an Oscar nomination for her performance as Scout, the daughter of Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck in the original movie.
“She has not been on a stage, and that was a big adjustment for her, but she’s going to be great — she has a bright, blazing intelligence, and good listening and sharp delivery and all the things you need as a great actor,” Director Bartlett Sher said. “And it was incredibly fascinating — I have never had an experience quite like it, to have this voice from the cultural history of the very work we were doing, and to see how we’ve changed and how she’s changed. It was beautiful to have her in the room.”
Movieguide® considers TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to be a Forever Favorite movie.
A portion of Movieguide®’s review of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD reads:
The 1962 classic movie TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD tells the story from the point of view of a young girl nicknamed Scout. The setting is a dusty Southern town during the Depression. Scout and her brother, Jim, call their father Atticus. Their mother died when they were young. Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, is a wise, compassionate, exceptional attorney in this small southern town. Because he has to go to work every day, he leaves Scout and Jim at home with their housekeeper Calpurnia. As Scout and Jim ponder the mysteries of a scary neighbor who might be insane, Atticus has to defend a black man from a rape charge.
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a masterpiece. The script is exceptional and should be a model of great scriptwriting. The direction is incredible. The acting is wonderful. Gregory Peck gives one of his greatest performances as Atticus Finch. Atticus in many ways represents a Christian. Also, the children themselves learn some valuable Christian lessons along the way. TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a timeless classic for older children and adults.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
