Image by Cindy Momchilov
Lawyer Atticus Finch (John Feltch) is confronted by Tom Ewell (Jason Collins), father of an alleged rape victim, in Arkansas Repertory Theatre's production of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Although the dialogue tends to be more didactic than conversational in To Kill a Mockingbird, which opened Jan. 27 at Arkansas Repertory Theatre, the performers manage to infuse their Southern-accented speeches with humanity and more humor than you'd expect in such a morally instructive tale. 

The drama, based on Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and set in 1935 in the fictional town of Maycomb, Ala., focuses on 6-year-old Jean Louise "Scout" Finch (Abby Shourd), her brother Jem (Damon McKinnis) and their widowed father Atticus (John Feltch). 

When lawyer Atticus is appointed by Judge Taylor (Jackie Stewart) to defend Tom Robinson (Michael Jones), a black man accused of raping a white woman, the children -- Scout, Jem, and their friend Dill (Spencer Davis) -- soon see the darker sides of people they thought they knew.

Bad things happen to good people in this occasionally preachy play, but lightening its weight is the charming goofiness of Spencer Davis; his Dill (whom Harper Lee based on her childhood friend Truman Capote), visiting Maycomb for the summer, is imaginative to a fault, adventurous, and given to daring Jem to behave in ways he wouldn't normally behave.

The children are essential to the success of the production, and although their early scenes on opening night were a bit stiff, they soon grew comfortable in their characters' skins. 

The best moments in the show, though, belong to Feltch. His physically commanding Atticus wears his principles as well as he wears linen suits in summer, exhibiting endless patience with his spirited children, wit with his colleagues, compassion for his clients, and a powerful commitment to justice. 

Another notable performance comes from Lawrence Hamilton, whose Reverend Sykes guides his flock with dignity and resignation. 

The production, narrated by grown-up Jean Louise (Kathy McCafferty), continues Wednesdays-Sundays through Feb. 12.

The regular run of the show is sold out. Standing room only tickets will go on sale one hour before each curtain for $30 throughout the run of the production. For ticket information call (501) 378-0405 or click here.