There are many parallels between Rocky Miller and the character he portrays in Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities' upcoming production of "To Kill a Mockingbird," adapted from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
The play, which opens Thursday and continues through May 20 at The El Segundo Playhouse, is set in a small Southern town during the 1930s when racism was rampant.
Miller plays Atticus Finch, a lawyer ordered by a judge to defend a black man named Tom Robinson who is accused of raping a young white woman. Atticus, who believes all men are created equal, agrees to defend Tom to the best of his ability, much to the dismay of the rest of the town.
Though Atticus presents evidence proving his client's innocence, the jury convicts Tom of the crime. And because Atticus had agreed to defend the man to the best of his ability, great consequences unfold for him and his children.
"It is the quintessential small town where if you're living there, the history of your family follows you," Miller says. "So the things that you currently do will follow your children and your grandchildren."
Miller can relate to that environment because he grew up in a similar small town in Texas.
He is also a lawyer, which is why he was offered the role of Atticus. He says CLOSBC director James Blackman wanted a real-life lawyer to take on the role.
And though Miller usually performs in musicals, he was intrigued by the play and decided to take Blackman up on the opportunity.
"I have so many parallels to this character, that's why I wanted to play it," Miller says.
Miller is no stranger to Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. He has been involved with the group practically since its inception 20 years ago and has been on the board since the '90s.
While he got involved with this play due to his ability to relate to the role, it was also the theme of racism that interested him. He says many people today don't realize how racist society was during that time period, but hopes this story can give some insight into what it was really like.
"I think this is a play that can show people what the South was like, that persisted into at least 1960 and in some ways still exists today," Miller says.
"People don't recognize how openly racist and stereotyping society was, and that this is really a story of somebody who is trying to tap into the good of people when all the messages around them are telling them to adhere to these stereotypes."
CLOSBC is also planning a fundraising event to celebrate its 20th anniversary and its upcoming move to the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro.
The production "On With the Show This Is It!" will feature excerpts from musicals such as "Dreamgirls," "Oklahoma!" and "The Sound of Music." Miller says the hope is that the May 20 event will help introduce the company to potential patrons in the San Pedro area and also acquaint their loyal members to the new venue.
CLOSBC is scheduled to begin performing at the Warner Grand in September.
Until then, Douglas Bilitch is excited to be directing "To Kill a Mockingbird" in El Segundo. This is his first time directing for the company, though he's been involved with a number of productions over the years.
When he was asked to direct the play, like Miller, Bilitch said it was the underlying themes that made him want to get on board. And he hopes the audience will take the message home with them.
"Really it's about taking our creed `all men are created equal' and making it a reality," Bilitch says. "It's a continuing journey. It won't ever not be an important piece until we reach that place and we're not there yet."
What: Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities presents the play adapted from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
When: Opens at 8 p.m. Thursday and continues at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday through May 20.
Where: The El Segundo Playhouse, 640 Main St.
Tickets: $50 for Thursday and Friday performances, $60 for weekend shows.
Information: 310-372-4477 or www.civiclightopera.com
What: Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities' 20th Anniversary Benefit Event will feature excerpts from a variety of musicals including "West Side Story," "Dreamgirls" and "Chicago."
When: Cocktail party at 4 p.m. May 20, with the show starting at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro.
Tickets: $25-$50.
Information: 310-372-4477 or www.civiclightopera.com.
www.losangeles.broadwayworld.com
Posted by eiko 2011-11-28 01:12:18
The show starts with the question "We know where the Frankincense ended up and what was done with the Myrrh. But the mystery remains: who took the gold?" From there, Maripat takes CSI to a level that the producers of CSI Miami and New York could only hope to achieve, re-creating the crime scene with audience participation as the mystery unfolds in this wonderful comedy.
Maripat originated the role of Sister in "Late Nite Catechism" and has toured internationally, receiving rave reviews for her work in Chicago, Boston, Providence, New York, Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle, Portland, London and Dublin. She worked in Chicago theatre for more than 20 years, winning Joseph Jefferson citations for her work in "Portrait of a Shiksa" and "The Good Times Are Killing Me." For her work in "Late Nite Catechism," she was nominated for the coveted Outer Critics Circle Award in New York for Outstanding Solo Performance. Maripat won the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Solo Performance in Los Angeles. Through her production company, Donovan Entertainment, she continues to delight audiences across the country with her plays "Late Nite Catechism," "Sister Strikes Again, Late Nite Catechism 2," "'Til Death Do Us Part, Late Nite Catechism 3" and "Sister's Christmas Catechism."
Show Schedule:
December 15, 16 and 17th 8:00PM
December 18th 2:00PM
December 22, 23 and 24th 8:00PM
December 26th 2:00PM
Single tickets for Thursday and Friday shows are $50. Saturday and Sunday shows are $60. Contact the ticket office at 310-372-4477 for ordering information.
