New Lenox resident Appearing in Lewis University Play 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'

This tale of the innocence of childhood and a poignant look at justice will run for eight performances from November 15 through November 24. The drama provides a portrait of the human spirit, as told through the eyes of a young girl growing up in 1935 Alabama.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 dollars for seniors and students and $2 for Lewis students with their student IDs.

To Kill a Mockingbird was the only novel written by Harper Lee. An intensely private and reserved woman, Lee once said, "The novel is a love story pure and simple. My love of the South, a father's love for his children and the love they give in return."

The novel was published in 1960 and won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961, making Lee the first woman to win the award since 1942.

Lewis University's Theatre Department chairperson Keith White of Joliet is directing the play. He leadis Celeste Mackey and lighting designer Andrew Nelsen, both of Joliet.

Rounding out the artistic team is student sound designer Mary Bradley of Palos Heights, and student properties designer Alex Stewart of Orland Park. Theatre major Beth Sadler of Homer Glen is performing the duties of stage manager and her assistant is theatre major Rachel Tau of Wood Dale.

The cast includes: Lauren Klump of Plainfield (Scout), Conor Klump of Plainfield (Jem), Kamil Borowski of Central Stickney (Atticus), Sabra Thomas of Bolingbrook (Calpurnia), Briana Reidy of Darien (Miss Maudie), Victoria Vega of Burbank (Miss Stephanie Crawford), Sylmarie Soto of Joliet (Mrs. Dubose), Austin Hill of Naperville (Boo Radley), Annie Martello of Morris (Dill), Ralph Scott Hegland of Plainfield (Heck Tate), Griffin Fitzsimons of Bartlett (Judge Taylor), Shannon Flanagan of Chicago (Reverend Sykes), Jordin Richards of Tinley Park (Mayella Ewell), Matthew Carlson of Lockport (Bob Ewell), and Tyler Senjanin of Evergreen Park (Mr. Gilmer).

Student performers Ross Reed of Country Club Hills and Kawaan Panama of Chicago are sharing to role of Tom Robinson. They will alternate performances. Reed will perform the role on November 16, 20, 22 and the 8 pm show on November 23. Panama will perform the role onNovember 15, 17, 21, 24 and 4 pm November 23. Students also performing in the production include: Justin Anderson of Orland Park, Faith Berry of Joliet, Allie DiMiele of New Lenox, Bryan Lochner of Essex, and Adam Ronald Jezl Sikorski of Burbank.

The show is recommended for patrons 13 years old and up and will run November 15 – 17 and November 21 – 24. Evening performances begin at8 p.m., while Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m. A 4 p.m. matinee will be performed on Saturday, November 23. Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged. Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 dollars for seniors and students and $2 for Lewis students with their student IDs. Tickets are $8 for groups of 15 or more, a savings of more than 10 % off the original ticket price. Tickets are non-refundable.

For more information, patrons can check out the PLT Website, www.lewisu.edu/plt Call the PLT box office to reserve tickets at (815) 836-5500,Monday thru Friday from 1-4:30 p.m., or email boxoffice@lewisu.edu. The Philip Lynch Theatre is located on the main campus of Lewis University, Oremus Fine Arts Center on Route 53 in Romeoville.

Lewis University is a Catholic University in the Lasallian tradition, offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,500 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit http://www.lewisu.edu for further information.