What to know about 'To Kill a Mockingbird' before the stage adaptation comes to Indy

Indianapolis is about to take its turn hosting Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird." And the play is hauling quite a reputation into its debut Circle City run this month, with the Emmy Award-winning Richard Thomas starring as Atticus Finch.

Presenter Broadway in Indianapolis said the work is the highest-grossing American play in Broadway history. Rolling Stone called it "as timely as it is timeless," and several critics have lauded the adaptation as an effective update of the famous 1960 story.

Here's what to know about the plot, differences between the adaptation and book, and where to buy tickets for the Clowes Memorial Hall show.

'To Kill a Mockingbird's' plot and fame

Set in 1934 in Maycomb, Alabama, the novel is told through the eyes of Scout, who watches her lawyer father Atticus Finch defend Tom Robinson, a Black man who's been falsely accused of raping a white woman. But Finch's fight for justice puts his family in danger as community members cling to deep-rooted racist mindsets.

Since "To Kill a Mockingbird's" 1960 publication, the book has won the Pulitzer Prize and become a mainstay of American literature read in classrooms the country over.

How Sorkin's adaptation differs from the novel

Sorkin started his adaptation with an already formidable reputation as a writer. He won an Oscar in 2011 for "The Social Network," and his work on "Moneyball," "Molly's Game" and "The Trial of the Chicago 7" earned him Academy Award nominations. Sorkin also won multiple Emmy Awards for "The West Wing."

His "To Kill a Mockingbird" is making its mark as well. The production ran on Broadway from November 2018 until January 2022, with a break during the pandemic. The tour began in March 2022.

But fans of the novel will notice some differences when they see the play.

Sorkin restructures the plot to arrive at Robinson's trial more quickly and then weave in the descriptive scenes of daily life. What's more, in an interview with NPR, Sorkin said he had to reckon with Finch's empathy for racist community members. That led to the adaptation focusing on the lawyer's own journey, which made more space for Black characters, like the Finches' housekeeper and caretaker Calpurnia, to push back against glossing over racist attitudes.

Citing racially explicit language, sexual abuse references and audio of gunfire, Broadway in Indianapolis' website notes that the show is recommended for ages 12 and up.

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When and where to see 'To Kill a Mockingbird' in Indianapolis

The show's Indianapolis run is Jan. 23-28 at Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave., on the Butler University campus.

Thomas, who's especially known for his role as John-Boy on "The Waltons," will play the lead of Finch. Other cast members include Scout Backus as Scout; Jacqueline Williams as Calpurnia; Yaegel T. Welch as Robinson; Ian Bedford as Boo Radley; Mariah Lee as Mayella Ewell; and Mary Badham, who played Scout in the classic 1962 film, as Mrs. Henry Dubose.

Find the full touring cast at tokillamockingbirdbroadway.com.

How to get tickets for Broadway in Indianapolis' presentation of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

Go to indianapolis.broadway.com or ticketmaster.com. Patrons can also purchase tickets by calling 1-800-982-2787 or visiting the Clowes Hall box office.

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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.