BAY AREA STAGE PUT ON AN EXCEPTIONAL SHOWING OF “To Kill a Mockingbird” on opening night last Friday at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum. Co-producers Jeff Lowe and Stacey Loew bring a super-talented cast and accomplished crew to the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, adding up to a moving performance that paints a clear picture of the social and emotional atmosphere surrounding the story of a poor black man accused of beating and raping a young white woman in 1930s rural Alabama.

2014 Arty Award-winning actor Paul Cotten is reserved yet powerful as Atticus Finch, the lawyer assigned to defend accused rapist Tom Robinson (Keith Thompson). Callie Heyer, who will appear in Benicia Old Town Theatre Group’s “Don’t Dress for Dinner” in April, delivers an equally strong performance as Mayella Ewell, the accusing party and eldest daughter of abusive local drunk Bob Ewell (Kenn Stevens).

In fact, the list of outstanding players is long. Young BAS veteran Katie Siino is a quintessential Scout, Finch’s precocious 6-year-old daughter, and Scott Slagle well portrays the seasoned Judge Taylor. Sylvia Ann Carlson anchors the story as neighbor and narrator Miss Maudie Atkinson — and the list goes on.

The play enters into delicate and even volatile territory, presenting a close look at the ugly underbelly of not-so-distant American history. True to the setting of the story, the “n” word is used freely as the locals react to the case. It seems the vast majority have convicted the accused man before the trial even begins. And despite abundant evidence pointing to his innocence, it appears doubtful that Finch will prevail in Tom Robinson’s defense.

Partners Lowe and Loew felt that some of the details from Harper Lee’s 1960 novel that were left out of Christopher Sergel’s 1990 stage adaptation were too important not to include; so, as many other theater companies have done, BAS incorporates some of those missing details back into the story. One small example is the way Boo Radley (Dalyn Barnes) hides small treasures in the cavity of a tree, something that encourages the audience early on to recognize the humanity in the mysterious character.

The story is loosely based on events author Lee experienced as a 10-year-old child in rural Alabama in the 1930s. It is a masterpiece of American literature, though it was not the author’s original intention. Lee first wrote the story from her own, adult perspective, wherein the main character revisits her home town and recalls the events from her past. “Mockingbird” was the result of Lee’s publisher asking her to rewrite the story from the young child’s perspective. Lee’s original work, titled “Go Set a Watchman,” is due to be published this summer by Harper Publishing, the American arm of global publisher Harper Collins.

Bay Area Stage lost its primary performance venue when the Fetterly Playhouse of Vallejo shut down in February last year. The company began performing at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez, alternately with the Empress in Vallejo, then most recently here, a large meeting room at the downtown museum.

The newest site presents a special challenge, co-producer Loew says, since BAS isn’t able to paint or attach anything to the walls here, and of course there is no designated backstage space — but the set for “Mockingbird” is designed and constructed by experienced and able hands, including those of BAS co-producer and “Mockingbird” director Lowe, Benicia Old Town Theatre Group’s Clinton Vidal, and Joseph Siino Jr.

“Mockingbird” is a polished production. BAS does an excellent job bringing the powerful classic to life for a modern audience. Lowe directs a stellar cast, and Loew’s quality costuming enhances the production beautifully. Don’t miss this opportunity to see BAS at its best. The play closes next Sunday.

If You Go
“To Kill A Mockingbird” continues at the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, 734 Marin St., Vallejo through Sunday, March 22. Tickets are $15 to $18 and are available by calling 707-649-1053 or online at www.bayareastage.com.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.