CONCORD, Mass. – February 10, 2026 – Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” sells nearly one million copies each year. But director Scott Edmiston says he is looking to create a uniquely theatrical retelling of the well-known book and film in a new stage production that runs February 27 to March 22 at The Umbrella Arts Center Main Stage Theater in Concord. Tickets are $25-63 and available now at the theater’s website.
Adapted by Christopher Sergel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” opens in a sleepy Alabama town gripped by the Great Depression, where Scout and her brother Jem live with their widowed father, the lawyer Atticus Finch. While the children grow fascinated with their mysterious neighbor Boo Radley, the facade of their seemingly peaceful town begins to crack when a young Black man is accused of a terrible crime. Atticus agrees to defend the man in a trial that sends violent waves through the community and teaches Scout and Jem about the courage to do what is right.
Edmiston says he aims to capture the heart and spirit of the original story while avoiding sentimentality. “At its core, this is the story of three children who learn that the world can be unjust; “To Kill a Mockingbird” literally means the death of innocence,” Edmiston says. “Of course, Massachusetts in 2026 is quite different from Alabama in 1936, but our country is increasingly divided and still grappling with racial injustice. Atticus teaches his children that the path forward is through empathy, which makes this story uniquely suited to the stage. Actors have a tremendous capacity for empathy. They can imagine themselves into the life of another person and a different way of seeing the world.”
The cast includes some of Edmiston’s favorite collaborators, several returning Umbrella favorites, and three rising young actors playing Scout, Jem and their friend, Dill. This is his ninth production with Barlow Adamson, who plays Atticus Finch, and his fourth with Amelia Broom*, who stars as Jean Louise Finch (“grown-up Scout”). The 18-person acting ensemble includes Steven Barkhimer*, David Berti, Craig Ciampa, Karen Dervin, Aliyah Harris, Clara Hevia, Joseph Hobbib, June Kfoury, Shelly Knight, Joe LaRocca, Bryce Mathieu, Jason Myatt, Ellen Peterson, Carolyn Saxon*, Damon Singletary* and Ryan Spry.
A distinctive element for this production is an original music score by cellist and composer Valerie Thompson, whose wide repertoire has found her writing and performing a full spectrum of music from classical to contemporary. Thompson will play live on stage at each performance.
The Umbrella’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” artistic team includes Assistant Director Joe Juknievich, Lighting Designer SeifAlla Salotto Cristobal, Sound Designer Chris Brousseau, Scenic Designer Janie E. Howland and Costume Designer Rachel Padula-Shufelt. Producing Artistic Director is Brian Boruta.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” runs February 27 to March 22 at The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street in Concord, Mass. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets available now at theumbrellaarts.org.
Special Performances
- Student Matinee Performance – Thursday, March 5, for students at regional middle and high schools.
- Dinner and a Show / Thursday Night Out Packages – Thursdays, March 5, March 12 and March 19. Optional pre-show dinners ($25) take the stress out of planning a date night or friends get-together. Includes a catered dinner box, access to free art galleries and a relaxing vibe before the show. Dinners prepared locally from Nosh by Concord Market.
- Post-Show Talkback Performances – Sunday, March 8 and Sunday, March 15. Audience members are invited to stay after the show to hear a discussion with onstage and behind the scenes artists.
- Kid Care Performance – Sunday, March 15 at 3 p.m. Kid Care gives parents and caregivers an opportunity to attend select performances while their children engage with licensed educators in art activities inspired by the production. The program aims to increase access to cultural events and create shared experiences for families.
About the Umbrella
The Umbrella works to enrich lives and build a vibrant and inclusive community through the arts. It promotes creativity, learning, personal growth, and cultural exchange through accessible arts education programs, performing and visual arts presentations, and community collaborations. The organization comprises arts education, visual arts and the performing arts, with studio space for 50+ artists, three exhibition galleries, and two theaters, along with a dance studio for performances across disciplines. The Umbrella supports creative learning and community engagement through classes, summer camps, maker spaces, ceramics facilities, public art, school partnerships, and spaces for private events.
