Richard Thomas embraces the challenge of being Atticus Finch in 'To Kill a Mockingbird'

When Aaron Sorkin's new adaptation of "To Kill a Mockingbird" opened on Broadway in 2018, veteran actor Richard Thomas hoped that the show would go on the road.

"Because I want to be on that train," he told Variety.

Now Milwaukee audiences can see how Thomas portrays Atticus Finch, one of the most famous characters in American literature, when the national tour of "To Kill a Mockingbird" visits the Marcus Performing Arts Center for performances Nov. 7-12.

Millions of Americans grew up with Thomas as John-Boy Walton, the young writer and eldest son in the CBS TV series "The Waltons." Thomas, 72, made his Broadway debut at age 7. His many other small-screen roles include memorable ones in "The Americans" and "Ozark."

Most accounts suggest that Sorkin's adaptation of Harper Lee's 1960 novel humanizes Atticus, in contrast to Gregory Peck's heroic portrayal in the 1962 film. "Thomas … embraces this demystified version of Atticus with a genuineness that allows the audience to see the iconic character in a new light," Kelli Arseneau wrote in her review of a February performance by this company in Appleton.

In a recent telephone interview, Thomas talked with enthusiasm about the role and the touring production.

Why is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' the right play to tour the country at this time?

"It's an adaptation of the … nation's favorite novel," Thomas said, citing its appearance on lists of Amercans' favorite books. Its storyline is "about us and our legacy of injustice and how we aspired to be a certain kind of people and how we fall short in it."

While "Mockingbird" is set in the 1930s, contemporary injustices are also on the minds of Thomas and his collaborators. Lee's novel referred to a Black character being shot 18 times by prison guards, Sorkin told Variety. Sorkin thought that number was "over the top," so he reduced the number to five in his adaptation. But after the killing of George Floyd in 2020, Sorkin changed the number back to 18.

Thomas called the surge of a "regressive strain" about race in American life "incredibly dangerous." The touring company has performed "To Kill a Mockingbird" in states where attempts have been made to ban the book in schools, he said.

How does the stage play 'To Kill a Mockingbird' differ from the movie?

Thomas is careful to note that Sorkin's "Mockingbird" is an adaptation of the novel, not the movie, while respecting how the film reflected values of the time when it was made. As for today, "we don't need more white savior narratives," he said.

Sorkin "took Atticus off the pedestal, which is really important," Thomas said.

In this version, Atticus is still an honorable man, with innate humility and goodness, he noted. But Sorkin has also made Atticus a man who has a lot to learn about himself and his community, Thomas said. This Atticus isn't a saint and a crusader. He's a country lawyer, a real estate lawyer; the last thing he wants is to get involved in this case.

Thomas also appreciates how Sorkin's adaptation has drawn out Atticus' sense of humor.

What role does Calpurnia play in this version of 'To Kill a Mockingbird?'

Without diminishing the relationship Atticus has with his daughter Scout, Sorkin has also placed Atticus' relationship with Calpurnia, the Finch family housekeeper portrayed by Jacqueline Williams, at the center of the play, Thomas said.

"These two people are basically raising these kids together," he said, referring to Calpurnia and the widower Atticus. "They bicker about things. They disagree. … They have, obviously, a profound affection and respect for one another. But within that they're able to test and challenge each other."

Does Richard Thomas feel intimidated playing a role made famous by other actors?

No.

"We're simply part of a continuity of players reinterpreting these roles over time," he said.

An actor just has to jump in the river and swim with all the other Atticuses and Hamlets, he said: "The essence of acting is your own presence, and your presence is not like anyone else's. … You're going to make your mark one way or the other."

What is his relationship with young actors in the cast?

"My Actors' Equity union card is 65 years old this year," Thomas said. He's been a child actor, a "young ingenue," a leading person, an older character.

"I take a particular interest in young actors. … I love them," he said. "I love watching them work."

But, he said, "the last thing in the world I'm gonna do is pontificate about acting, because everybody has to find their own way." He gives no advice unless he's asked.

Scout, Jem and Dill, children in Lee's novel, are played in this production by younger adult actors Melanie Moore, Justin Mark and Steven Lee Johnson. "They're all wonderful actors and really terrific people. So it's great fun to be with them," Thomas said.

If you go

The national touring company of "To Kill a Mockingbird" performs Nov. 7 through 12 at the Marcus Performing Arts Center, 929 N. Water St. For ticket info, visit marcuscenter.org or call (414) 273-7206.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 'To Kill a Mockingbird' brings Richard Thomas to Milwaukee