Greenbrier Valley Theatre (GVT), the State Professional Theatre of West Virginia, is proud to bring you the Pulitzer Prize-winning “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Harper Lee’s beloved story will run Sept. 29 and 30, and Oct. 6, 7, 13, and 14 at 7:30 p.m. with a Pay-What-You-Can Preview Performance Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

The public may attend scheduled school matinees during the week.

Tickets are $30 for general admission, $27 for seniors and $20 for children/students. For tickets or more information, call GVT’s Box Office at 304-645-3838 or visit www.gvtheatre.org.

A staple in English classes across the country, “To Kill a Mockingbird” has introduced countless students to Atticus Finch, a man determined to stand against injustice, and Boo Radley, the mysterious and misunderstood neighbor. Last seen on GVT’s stage in 2008, this story still resonates, 57 years after its first publication. It was only a matter of time before “To Kill a Mockingbird” and its message of courage and justice was brought back.

“Sometimes it’s important to remember where we’ve come from to keep from going back to where we don’t want to be. That’s why I picked the play,” said GVT’s Artistic Director Cathey Sawyer. “Through the eyes of an innocent child, the play humanizes in an empathetic manner the racial inequality that was our past and seems to be lurking still. Atticus Finch is a man of integrity and justice and is a moral hero – something we need more of today.”

Atticus Finch is the figure of integrity and justice because of the battle he fights for the gentle and innocent Tom Robinson, a man whose only crime is the color of his skin. Shabazz Green is making his GVT debut portraying this tragic character.

An actor, singer and theatre educator, Green studied Theatre Education at Kean University. He fell in love with theatre while portraying Tom Robinson in high school, and the role remains one of his favorite characters. Along with Tom Robinson, roles such as Emmett Till and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., have shown the actor how important it is that we keep moving forward and how far we still have to go. His hope is that the audience will leave the theatre understanding that need.

“I genuinely hope they just take away a sense of understanding. Understanding of others and themselves. Taking the opportunity to do as our play says and ‘Stand in their shoes.’ Be open to the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others. And take a step toward change,” Green said.

This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture & History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.