Perseverance Theatre ends season in Anchorage with a subtle, faithful 'Mockingbird'

Perseverance Theatre's subtle and solid season-closing production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" lets the ever-relevant material speak for itself with beautifully authentic performances and a tone as calm and honest as the extraordinarily ethical character Atticus Finch.

The production doesn't shy away from using the N-word, which is prevalent in the 1960 novel about fighting for racial justice in a time and place — 1930s Alabama — where the battle is all but guaranteed to be lost.

A program note addresses use of the word, and curious theatergoers can learn more about the play's language at ptalaska.org.

Christopher Sergei's stage adaptation of the book, which premiered in Alabama in 1990, is clear and efficient, and Perseverance Artistic Director Art Rotch, also the director of the production, lets it play out in a very natural and well-paced fashion.

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The atmosphere is also enhanced by the lilting narration of Finch family neighbor Maudie Atkinson, played with sweet, yet nonsyrupy Southern charm by Katie Jensen.

The play's young thespians bring great energy and personality to the stage, and conjure a warm camaraderie.

Theo Houck is sensational as Dill Harris, the bubbly, imaginative boy who stays a spell with the Finch family. As harsh realities sink in, he grows and matures before the audience's eyes.

The exuberant and animated Houck makes the most of every line and never crosses it into caricature. He's also the only young character who seems to appreciate Atticus' uncommon integrity.

Enrique Bravo's Atticus is everything the beloved character should be; bookish, wise, a tad weary, determined to do right against all odds, and no fun at all in the eyes of his kids Jem and Scout.

Seth Coppens' Scout is a refreshing anti-princess. The pig-tailed tomboy doesn't talk in ladylike tones or obsess over dresses. Rather, she practically shouts when she speaks and couldn't give less of a hoot about her wardrobe.

Coppens is a bit difficult to understand at times, but still gets the classic character's rough and tumble playfulness, brash innocence and eventual awakening to the injustices of her world just right.

As Jem, Forrest Davis is alternately heartbreaking and impish. When his father, who is singularly focused on defending accused rapist Tom Robinson, refuses to toss around a football with him, Jem becomes momentarily aggressive and aggravated.

But that frustration morphs into jaw-dropping admiration just a little while later, when he and Scout discover what an impressive marksman their father is.

Tension mounts when the action moves to the courthouse and Robinson's sham trial.

As the symbolic "mockingbird" of the title, Keith McCoy makes the doomed Robinson achingly real. He knows what the outcome will be, yet bravely persists in telling his side of the story, with the help of Atticus. Robinson's tragic testimony is a highlight of the show.

Seeing the bittersweet tale unfold onstage should inspire those who haven't read the novel to pick it up, and move those who have to read it once more.

More than 50 years later, the story just gets better with age.

"TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD" is set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, 621 W. 6th Ave., Anchorage. Tickets: $38- $43.75. See alaskapac.centertix.net.