To Kill a Mockingbird is the second show in Slidell Little Theater’s 2010-2011 season. Directed by Allen Little, the play stars Melissa Benson, Kaitlin Griffin, Christopher Milligan, and Kirk Benson. The play depicts life in Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930s and explores the deep racism that existed in the South during this time by chronicling the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man being accused of attacking a white woman.

                Little decided to open the play unconventionally, by slowly easing into the show rather than having a clear beginning to the action. As the audience members were entering the theater, the characters of the show began to appear on the stage and interact with one another as though they were in a small Southern town on a lazy afternoon. As opposed to the traditional Slidell Little Theater policy of having a board member speak to the audience prior to the show to remind them to turn off cell phones and not use flash photography, Little had two of his characters, played by Elizabeth Bonnell and Ivan Biernacki, act as if they were attending a church performance and they discussed cell phones and photography in order to remind the audience.

                All of the actors in the show did a fantastic job of portraying their characters and subtly expressing the themes of the show, such as racism, ignorance, and justice. Melissa Benson’s role of Jean Louise Finch, Scout as an adult, greatly enhanced the show because of her narration throughout the action.

                Throughout their seasons, Slidell Little Theater continually produces high quality theater that is enjoyed by residents of the Slidell community. To Kill a Mockingbird  is no exception, and the remainder of this season is sure to deliver laughs and tears with shows such as Hairspray and Little Women on the slate.

Overall, I give Slidell Little Theater’s To Kill a Mockingbird five out of five paws, for its portrayal of a time gone by and the underlying issues that existed during that time.