To Kill A Mockingbird
at Pine Crest School

Reviewed on November 6, 2015

Sophia Young
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

It's not only just "black and white;" "To Kill a Mockingbird" at Pine Crest is sure to be more, with a colorful performance adapted from a well-known American classic.

Based off of the classic Harper Lee novel of the same title, "To Kill a Mockingbird" tells the story of young Scout Finch, and lawyer Atticus Finch in his endeavors defend a black man in the racially segregated 1935 Alabama. This adaption of the novel by Chrisopher Sergel debuted in 1990 in Monroeville, Alabama- the "Literary Capital of Alabama." The play runs every May in Monroeville, and the townspeople make up the cast, and the racially segregated audience makes up the jury. The play additionally ran in London in 2006, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Pine Crest's production of the classic tale was overall very well done, with actors and technical aspects that exceeded the expectations one would have of a high school production.

Leading the show as Atticus Finch was Tommy Sullivan, who accurately depicted the character's loving and fatherly persona. Playing the young Scout was Cayleigh Pine, who nailed her childish personality, as well as Jem, played by Zack Shevin. Pine impressively remained the vulnerable and advanced young girl Scout is throughout the turning events of the story. Narrating the show as an older Scout (now known as Jean Louise) was Noey Boldizsar, who provided a sweet and mature aspect to her character, while remaining connected to the action on stage.

Playing the defendant Tom Robinson was Mr. Kunya Rowley, who still precisely displayed the sweet, "guilty", and innocent aspects that the controversial character had to offer. Bob and Mayella Ewell, played by Nicholas Tosello and Brittyn Bonham, successfully portrayed their rude, trashy, and "guilty" characters to the audience. Providing comedic relief to the show at the perfect moments were Nicole Thraum and Sammy Koolick, playing Mrs. Dubose and Dill. Making the most of her small role was Deanna Hennelly, portraying Judge Taylor, who seemed very real and connected throughout the show. All characters' southern accents were very consistent throughout the entire show, which added to the ambiance of the setting as a whole.

The technical aspects of the show were slightly above average for a high school production, and there were few bumps throughout the show. The makeup was overall very basic, but there was a lack of aging makeup on most characters, and it seemed as if all characters were the same age. The set only contributed to the plot, and was well adapted to by all actors with much interaction between the action on stage and the physical set. The lighting was nice at most times, but some changes seemed unmotivated and unnecessary. The sound was well executed for the most part, despite a few issues with microphones going out, which was quickly and swiftly fixed by the stage crew. The stage crew successfully transformed the set between scene changes, going unnoticed by audiences.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" at Pine Crest is overall a heart-warming tale of family and doing the right thing, and would be sin to miss.

Nickolas Kewla
Pompano Beach High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

"It's a Sin To Kill a Mockingbird". The phase still sits in audience's mind because this performance of "To Kill A Mockingbird" left the crowd speechless in awe. From the heart warming supporting characters, such as Dill (Sammy Koolik), to the main character, Atticus Finch (Tommy Sullivan), the play left a soft spot in your chest that you will feel.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is set in Alabama, 1935. The performance explorers a trail between two races when racism was still tolerated. Tom Robinson (Kunya Rowley) an African American man, is falsely accused by a white woman named Mayella (Brittyn Bonham). Following the adventures and life experiences of Scout (Cayleigh Pine) and Jem (Zack Shevin), the Pine Crest adaptation was praised by the audience for pushing the boundaries of a high school play. To take on such a serious topic was carried out in smart way.

The stage was decorated using beautifully made props that had a light blue theme that spoke serenity. The swing set and houses were placed in a way that the audience could understand the scene changes and storyline. As the story went on, the characters got deeper and the lines got more real and wise. Each cast member flawlessly executed their lines in a way that flowed and that kept everyone interested and immersed. The movements of the play felt needed and in place. Everyone who was on stage was clearly seen and the blocking felt like I was watching real life people. Lighting and sound were perfection as everything was seen and heard on the stage. The cast members of Pine Crest really brought the To Kill A Mockingbird characters to life in their dramatic journey of arts.

Standouts of the play include Scout, played by Cayleigh Pine, who was always active on stage and made us feel a connection to her character. Atticus Finch, played by Tommy Sullivan, also had very long, wise monologues that intrigued the audience and pushed the story alongside to its climax. The lights turned off and all we saw was the moon shining on stage. The scene built suspense and was scary in itself. This proved that this stage performance was everything because it had drama, comedy, and even suspense! I have to give the biggest praise to the ensemble cast. This is because even when they were not using microphones, the crowd still heard them crystal clear because of the projection. This skill is something each member of the cast possessed.

"To Kill A Mocking Bird", by Pine Crest, is well worth your time. The excitement and feeling in your heart it will give you makes you think a lot about life. The overall theme and colors spoke to you and gave you a 1930s' feel. Thank you for putting on a show that the audience and I will never forget.

Samantha Gaynor
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

While it may be a sin to kill a mockingbird, it was certainly a joy to see Pine Crest's moving production of the show, "To Kill A Mockingbird." With developed chemistry, powerful actors, and secure technical aspects, this production admirably conveyed the racial indignities of Maycomb, Alabama in 1935.

Author Harper Lee revolutionized the way that people viewed race when her book, "To Kill A Mockingbird" was released in 1960. She wrote about the inequalities she found all around her and turned it into a story about a lawyer named Atticus Finch who defends a black man, Tom Robinson, against the accusations of a guilty white woman—much to the chagrin of the rest of the town. Thirty years later, the strong themes of justice, innocence, and morality persisted when the play was first produced in Monroeville, Alabama.

"To Kill A Mockingbird" would not be possible without the work of Pine Crest's capable actors. Tommy Sullivan as Atticus Finch had a commanding stage presence and more than adequately conveyed the serious and impactful man Atticus should be. The spirited chemistry among Scout (Cayleigh Pine), Jem (Zack Shevin), and Dill (Sammy Koolik) brought the show to life. Their wild energy, especially Koolik's, kept the show upbeat despite the serious subject matter. Even during the court scene, this group stayed engaged and a unique internal conflict from each one was showcased.

Personalities from other characters like Judge Taylor (Deanna Hennelly), Mrs. Dubose (Nicole Thraum), and Maudie Atkinson (Tara Schulman) added to the production. Besides having a strong stage presence even when not speaking, Hennelly remained completely focused and involved during the court scene. Thraum's performance as Mrs. Dubose provided comedic relief beyond the hustle and bustle of the children. Her accurate dependency on the walking cane as well as her mannerisms made her a believable elderly woman. Schulman's sweet voice and knowing smile as Maudie created an interesting force as well. These and the other citizens of Maycomb made up a compelling audience during the court scene. While the amount of motion was distracting at times, each actor maintained their Southern character through out the show.

The simple set proved effective for the play and the characters utilized it well, notably when the children playfully hung on the railing of the front porch. The actors were very comfortable in their space, although the set could have been altered a little more to distinguish between their neighborhood and the courtroom, the rustic look fit the 1930s. The hair and makeup also fit the time period and made the characters clearly visible under the harsh light. The stage management should be commended for creatively fixing Scout's microphone when there was a problem. Since her character never comes off stage, a crew member discretely tended to her as she ducked behind a set piece.

Commanding stage presences and a strong technical team made Pine Crest's approach to this classic story a memorable experience. As Atticus says: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…" Well, the actors pulled the audience so much into the story that they had no choice but to have a personal connection to the show.

Michael Valladares
Cypress Bay High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Pine Crest School's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" brought a beautiful, classic, coming of age story from the page to the stage. Dealing with the heavy themes of racial injustice, segregation, and classism, Pine Crest helped audiences understand why "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is based on the book by Harper Lee published in 1960. Because of its use of "the n-word" the book has been banned from many reading lists, or had its contents changed to make the book more palatable. Pine Crest made a strong decision to keep the word in their production, and its stinging effect is a perfect justification for doing so. The story of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is well-known and timeless: a young girl, Scout Finch, describes and lives her life in the Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama. Her father, the infinitely wise Atticus Finch, has been tasked with defending a black man in court during a time when a white man's word was enough to get a black man killed.

Pine Crest's production began with an original song by Sarah Gale that provided stark contrast to the feel of the time period of "To Kill a Mockingbird". Gale has a beautiful voice, and the power of her song instantly excites audiences in anticipation of what is to come.

Leading the bulk of the show is Cayleigh Pine as Scout. Pine commanded the stage with a strong Southern characterization: from her spot-on accent to her tomboyish mannerisms, Pine truly embraced Scout's character. Her relationship with her brother Jem, played by Zack Shevin, is well executed as well. Joining the two children in their summer adventures is Dill, Sammy Koolik, whose spot on comedic timing and hilarious stage presence provide comedic relief from the intensity of the show. Koolik is no one trick pony, showing the many dimensions that Dill has and commanding a complete grasp of the character's melancholy background. The contrast between adult and child was clearly evident in actors' mannerisms. Atticus, played by Tommy Sullivan, is the wise old man of the story. Sullivan enunciated every word, so the audience didn't miss a pinch of Atticus's insightful dialogue. Nicole Thraum played the hackneyed Mrs. Dubose, and commanded attention and laughter the few times she graced the stage. While some actors broke their accents or seemed somewhat robotic, Pine Crest nonetheless had a strong cast.

Pine Crest's lighting design was distracting at times, though there was clever use of it in depicting the time. A few sound problems occurred during the show, but the stage managers showed ingenuity in getting it fixed very quickly. Scene changes were organic, and very quick, even when removing twenty chairs from the stage.

Pine Crest's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" is far more than a baby step when it comes to bringing racial themes into the South Florida high school theaters. Pine Crest left audiences with a stunning reminder of the dark racial past of the United States.

Nick Lopez
Cypress Bay High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Both the spotlight and the hot Alabama sun shone brightly on the Pine Crest stage as they exercised Southern hospitality in welcoming theatre-goers into the world of one the greatest novels in American literature. Atticus Finch may have struggled to convince a judge that it's a sin to kill a mockingbird, but when it came to translating this timeless message from the page to the stage, the audience at Pine Crest was sold long before the jury reached its verdict.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a faithful theatrical adaptation of the highly celebrated 1960 novel by Harper Lee, and has been performed annually in the author's hometown of Monroeville, Alabama since its debut in 1990. The play is narrated by Jean Louise Finch (otherwise known as Scout) as she reflects on her childhood in 1930s Alabama, specifically a trial conducted by her father Atticus Finch involving the alleged rape of a white woman by a black man.

Cayleigh Pine led the production and embodied the vitality of innocence with her energetic performance as little Scout. Pine very effectively conveyed the character's age (thanks to combination of physicality and vocal manipulation,) a virtue that lent humor and lightheartedness to the story, but Pine countered this earnest playfulness with impressive command of dramatic scenes to create a richly balanced performance. Pine also shared a very comfortable chemistry with Tommy Sullivan, who played Scout's father Atticus with dignified poise and an air of maturity. Some actors lacked the stage presence that Pine consistently demonstrated; at times dialogue lacked fluidity and motivation, age portrayal was occasionally ambiguous, and interactions between characters sometimes seemed forced and contrived.

Sammy Koolik brought a refreshing effervescence as Dill, a friend of Scout. His charming giddiness was the source of both on-point comedy and a sense heartfelt earnestness, consequently making the performance both memorable and emotionally resonating. Nicole Thraum underwent a complete transformation as Mrs. Dubose, Scout's cantankerous neighbor, thanks to a striking commitment to physicality. This, in combination with hilarious line delivery, made Thraum an immediate audience favorite.

Pine Crest's set was composed of visually arresting silhouetted structures which added an eye-catching rustic aesthetic to stage and gave a gritty elegance to the production's atmosphere. Also along the lines of technical achievement, Sarah Gale's performance of the self-written song "We Can Be Free" was a powerful creative addition to the play, especially since inclusion of this contemporary sound into a period piece presented a risk that ultimately paid off.

It's safe to say that many high school students can't even make it from cover to cover of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, so any high school theatre program that makes it from overture to curtain call of this monumentally demanding play deserves rightful recognition. Pine Crest not only made it through, but did so with warmth and grace, thus giving satisfaction to fans of the novel - and to the rest, motivation to pick it up again and finally find out what the hype is all about.

Maria Lanas
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to The Forum

Are people born with racial prejudice or is it taught? Is it possible we learn these ideas from society and the very people who raised us? These are some of the perplexing questions that are brought to light in Pine Crest High School's powerful production of "To Kill A Mockingbird"

The play "To Kill a Mockingbird" is an adaptation of Harper Lee's iconic novel of the same name. The novel was published in 1960 and quickly became a hit due to the controversial themes that other writers dared not explore at the time. Thirty years after the novel was published, a man named Christopher Serge adapted the book into an equally thought-provoking play. Set in 1935 in Maycomb, Alabama, young Jean Louise "Scout" Finch began to see the hatred and prejudice of the world around her when her father, Atticus Finch, defends a black man in court against false accusations. This story, play, and novel holds true to the way that race was presented in that time period and Pine Crest High School's rendition felt extremely authentic considering that they did not censor any of the jarring words that the audience may have found offensive.

Atticus Finch (Tommy Sullivan) portrayed the sagacious father of Jem (Zack Shevin) and Scout (Cayleigh Pine). Sullivan embodied the image of a strong handed father very well; his every move convinced the audience that he was a grown man teaching his kids lessons on empathy. Scout Finch (Cayleigh Pine) had tremendous stage presence and never skipped a beat. Pine was a constant energy on stage, which is expected of a character so young. From when she was the center of attention to when she was sitting quietly in the back of the courthouse, she was persistent in her decisive actions. Among all the tension and trouble there was Dill (Sammy Koolik). Koolik kept the room light with his hilarious comic relief thanks to his exceptional comedic timing. He rendered the character of a child so effortlessly that it seemed as if Pine Crest snuck an actual little boy on the stage. Despite this energy from several actors, others seemed to stay at the same level throughout the whole show. They did not exhibit much variety in speech patterns or energy, which made it difficult to understand situations and reactions to them at times. Regardless, the most dynamic characters kept the show moving along with their liveliness.

Major creativity points in Pine Crest's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird," throughout the show there were moments of slow-motion with the assumed purpose of adding a dramatic effect but unfortunately it provided an interruption to the riveting story. While seemingly unnecessary, each actor executed the slow-motion perfectly, without a single person off cue. The makeup on some of the actors was very faint and it was difficult to discern their age. Fortunately the actors made it easier by playing their roles remarkably well. With many transitions from daytime to nighttime, the lighting crew did a great job with making the sky look as vivid as possible. As with any show with many characters onstage at a time, microphone problems did occur, but the stage manager should be commended for a great job on covering up an issue with Scout's microphone stealthily.

With strong actors and commendable technical aspects, Pine Crest's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" admirably told the story of racial injustice during a difficult time period. Aside from the minor faults, it didn't stop Pine Crest from putting on a truly memorable performance.

Gabi Simon
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to Type One

Harper Lee once said, "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents." However, Harper Lee could have never expected the talent demonstrated by the students in Pine Crest's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird."

"To Kill a Mockingbird," set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama in 1935, challenges the social standards of small, southern town when Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson, a black man who is accused of raping a white woman. Harper Lee's beloved novel, originally published in 1960, was adapted for the stage in 1990 by Christopher Sergel. Lee's narrative demonstrates themes that still exist and will continue to exist for years to come, such as: social inequality, morality, and the coexistence of good and evil.

Atticus Finch (Tommy Sullivan) is a wise man with a strong sense of morality and justice. Sullivan expertly mimicked Atticus' level-headedness in intense situations. Sullivan spoke eloquently and carried himself with the grace and maturity one would expect from Atticus Finch. While some characters' lines got lost in their southern accents, Sullivan enunciated every word and the audience understood the significance of Atticus's words. Atticus's morality sharply contrasted Bob Ewell's (Nicholas Tosello) ignorance. Tosello adequately portrayed the smug white man who believed he was still superior to blacks, despite being unable to hold a job or remain sober. Tosello's expressions were filled with so much hate and disgust, one could only pity whoever was on the receiving end.

Mrs. Dubose (Nicole Thraum) provided some comedic relief as the crotchety, old woman with no filter. Thraum also embraced the physicality of an old woman on the edge of death by consistently relying on her cane instead of just using it as a prop. Sammy Koolik (Dill) provided a well-rounded performance as well as some comedic relief. Koolik's spastic movements and imaginative mind provided a nice contrast to Scout and Jem, who were both more serious. Koolik's portrayal of Dill was light-hearted so our hearts broke for Dill in the second act when he was disheartened by the verdict of the trial.

Despite some microphone difficulties, the show ran without a hitch. The stage management and crew cleverly resolved Scout's microphone problems while she ducked behind a set piece, since she spent very little time offstage. The costumes fit the time period and clearly showed social distinctions as well as age distinctions. The hair and makeup worked well with the costuming, however makeup lines revealing age should have been included on the middle-age characters.

In a challenging show that explores powerful themes, solid actors and complementary technical aspects made Pine Crest's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" a fine tribute to Harper Lee's classic novel.

Carlos Hernandez
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to Type One

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it," in the same way, one cannot know what a superb performance Pine Crest School gave of their production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" until they have seen it themselves, as it is a sin not to have watched it.

From the mind of Harper Lee, the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," was born in July 11, 1960 and only a year after, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. In 1990, the book was brought onto the stage by Christopher Sergel, as it was made into a play. In this coming-of-age story, Jean Louise Finch, nicknamed Scout, tells of a time in Maycomb, Alabama in 1933-1935 when her father, Atticus Finch, was chosen to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, convicted of raping a white girl. Throughout the story Scout learns various lessons about the prejudice that takes place in her community against the colored people that live there and why her father defends Tom Robinson, even when he knows he will lose the trial. Scout's older brother and best friend, Jem and Dill, are also along for the ride as they have their fun in the neighborhood and later watch the trial together.

Atticus Finch (Tommy Sullivan) is the father of Scout and Jem, and lawyer whose wise words and racial heroism have left a great impact on readers of the story and viewers of the movie/play. Sullivan gave his audience nothing short of this. Sullivan's serious and mature manner clearly distinguished his role as a father figure and the children he took care of. Whatever it was that was said by Sullivan, was able to be remembered by the audience, especially the famous speech near the end of Tom Robinson's trial. Also delivering a mature performance was Nicholas Tosello, portraying Bob Ewell. The character demands a heavy 1930's Southerner manner and accent and Tosello executed those demands almost flawlessly.

Giving the play its hints of comedic essence was Dill (Sammy Koolik). Koolik had every audience member looking forward to whenever he would come on stage again due to his consistent energy and accent throughout the whole show and undeniable chemistry with Scout (Cayleigh Pine) and Jem (Zack Shevin). Nicole Thraum also did an outstanding job portraying the role of Mrs. Dubose, as her elderly manner also remained consistent throughout the whole show and her arguments with the children were always exceptionally believable.

The set used for the show was simple, yet did a fine job of carrying out the story. Although the lighting was partially messy during the second act of the show, the tech team demonstrated great creativity and devotion when Pine's microphone stopped working and someone in costume stepped in to fix it.

From a powerful and captivating opening, to a warm and heartfelt ending, Pine Crest School's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" did the critically renowned novel and play their justice.