EXCLUSIVE: To Kill a Mockingbird’s new play + surprising Birmingham connections

A fresh take on the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird is hitting the stage at the BJCC November 14-19 in Birmingham. We talked with two cast members to learn more about their roles in the new production by Aaron Sorkin. Read on for what we discovered about the play, including the actors’ interesting Birmingham connections.

From Birmingham to Scout to Mrs. Dubose

If you’re like me, Scout is one of your favorite characters from To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Cool fact: Birmingham native Mary Badham landed the role of Scout in the 1962 film adaptation starring Gregory Peck. Just 10 years old, Badham’s incredible performance earned her an Oscar nomination—the youngest person ever nominated for a supporting role at the time.

A few more things to know about Badham:

• She grew up just off Highland Avenue above the steel mills.
• Her father was the president and chairman of the board of a local steelmaking company in Birmingham. 
• Her mother was the lead actress for Town and Gown (now Virginia Samford Theatre) for many years under the theatre’s founder and director James Hatcher. She also had an hour-long weekly radio spot on WBRC. 

Decades later, Badham will return to Birmingham this November in To Kill a Mockingbird’s new play. This time, she’ll play the role of the Mrs. Henry Lafayette Dubose, the Finch’s mean and prejudiced neighbor—a true opposite to her former role as Scout.

“The part of Mrs. Dubose is not a pleasant part. She’s not the nice person, but she’s a product of her times and I get that. She’s very important to the story in a number of ways.”

Mary Badham, actress

Yaegel T. Welch has a cool Birmingham connection

We also had the chance to speak with actor Yaegel T. Welch. Welch plays the prominent role of Tom Robinson—an uneducated and physically disabled 25-year-old Black man accused of rape. 

“It’s a role that challenges me to be as open and empathetic as possible. I try not to sugarcoat or water down how intense the pain was or how deeply this could impact [Tom Robinson’s] life.”

Yaegel T. Welch, actor

Though Welch grew up in Los Angeles, California, he has family from Alabama. He also has a cool connection to Birmingham—he went to Morehouse College with Mayor Woodfin.

“I’m gonna shoot him a message when it gets closer. I know he’s a busy guy. He’s the mayor. It’s so funny when your college buddy becomes the mayor.”

Yaegel T. Welch, actor

The perfect year for To Kill a Mockingbird in Birmingham

To Kill a Mockingbird chronicles the childhood of Scout and Jem Finch in 1960s rural Alabama as their father Atticus defends a Black man falsely accused of rape.

“It’s gonna be interesting to see how Birmingham takes to the play. It’s such a great teaching tool, because if you want to talk about family issues or physician prescribed medication or an addiction, mental issues, child abuse, racial issues, justice issues…it’s all in there.

It’s a tiny little book, but it’s got an awful lot to say.”

Mary Badham, actress

The 1960s were a prominent time for the civil rights movement—especially in Birmingham. 

With this year being the 60th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing of 1963, it’s the perfect time for the premiere of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird at the BJCC.

“I think we still have something to gain from To Kill a Mockingbird…the issues that happen in the story still happen today. It feels like a privilege to get to be part of something so relevant to American society for so long. It’s nice to be part of a movement to transform society through the message of the story.”

Yaegel T. Welch, actor

What to expect during the new production of To Kill a Mockingbird

If you’ve read To Kill a Mockingbird or seen the film, the play may be different than you expect. While based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, Badham told us the new play by Aaron Sorkin will take a moment to get used to. 

“The storyline is the same. The points are the same. But the set is very different.”

Mary Badham, actress

According to Welch, Sorkin’s version centers the story’s plot on only two chapters from the book—the trial and death of Tom Robinson. 

“I think [Sorkin] does a good job of putting enough in the play so the audience still knows they are getting To Kill a Mockingbird in its fullest form.”

Yaegel T. Welch, actor

What about Atticus?

We couldn’t have a story on To Kill a Mockingbird without mentioning one of the lead roles—Atticus Finch. Stepping into the infamous role will be actor Richard Thomas. Best known as John-Boy from the ‘50s drama series The Waltons, Thomas has also had roles in the 90’s TV adaptation of Stephen King’s epic horror novel It the recent Netflix series Ozark.

When speaking with Badham, we couldn’t resist asking her who she thinks is the better Atticus—Gregory Peck from the 1962 film or Richard Thomas?

“Richard Thomas as Atticus would have been my first choice. He’s just amazing.” 

Mary Badham, actress

See To Kill a Mockingbird in Birmingham, November 14-19

• When:
  • Tuesday-Thursday, November 14-16, 7:30PM
  • Friday, November 17, 8PM
  • Saturday, November 18, 2PM + 8PM
  • Sunday, November 19, 1PM + 6:30PM
• Where: The BJCC, 2100 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• Tickets

For more news and events around the Greater Birmingham Area, sign up for our newsletter.