'To Kill a Mockingbird' opens tonight, runs through March 22

To Kill a Mockingbird photos courtesy Richard Maher Members of the cast of To Kill a Mockingbird in a scene from the Tyler Civic Theatre play, which opens tonight in Braithwaite Theatre.

To Kill a Mockingbird, one of this country's best loved stories, opens tonight in the Braithwaite Theatre at the Tyler Civic Theatre Center. This performance of the stage adaptation by Christopher Sergel is warmly true to the characters and their dilemmas in Harper Lee's Pulitzer- Prize winning novel. The play runs for 10 performances through March 22.

Felicity Enas, resident director at the TCTC, directs To Kill a Mockingbird. Production Partners are Ireland, Carroll & Kelly, P.C. Co-producers for the run are Lea Holland and Steve Manley.

Harper Lee's novel was an immediate success when published in 1960. It has never been out of print or out of American life. The novel is a favorite choice for high school and college reading lists and continues to be examined by academics and read by the public.

The novel won the title "Best Novel of the Century" in a Li- brary Journal poll. Though Lee never wrote another novel, President George W. Bush presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States, in 2007.

One hundred and fifty-one people tried out for the large cast needed to present To Kill a Mockingbird. From this group, Ms. Enas selected almost 30 people for speaking roles and walk-ons. The cast includes Chris Abraham as Atticus Finch, the well-beloved lawyer who takes on a seemingly unwinnable case in the name of justice. His children are Jem, played by Ellis Gentry, and Jean Louise, called Scout, played by Sunni Gatewood. Peter Goodwin plays Dill, the child who is visiting next door. Mae Hampton plays the Finches' housekeeper Calpurnia.

Playing the Finches' neighbors are Kenny Davis as Arthur ("Boo") Radley; Marcy Gruber as Miss Stephanie Crawford; and Connie Jackson as Mrs. Dubose.

Ray Deal takes the role of Robert E. Lee ("Bob") Ewell; Caitlin Dean plays his eldest daughter, Mayella. Rob Carter plays Judge Taylor, and Sean Holliday plays Heck Tate, the sheriff of Maycomb County. Joshua Bush plays farmer Walter Cunningham.

Additional roles and actors include Jonathan Childers as Tom Robinson, Michael Hall as Mr. Gilmer, Darnell Johnson as the Reverend Sykes, and Frances Whiteside as Miss Maudie Atkinson.

Nightly performances of To Kill a Mockingbird begin at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 2:30 p.m. Doors to the theater open 30 minutes before each performance. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. To purchase tickets, call the box office at 903-592-0561 Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and from 3-5 p.m.