August 28th and 29th are the final two nights for John Grisham’s “A Time to Kill” at the Downtown Playhouse in Pocahontas. The play, based on Grisham’s bestselling novel, will stage its final showings this Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at www.thedowntownplayhouse.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to see this wonderful play that has received rave reviews from your friends and neighbors who have already seen it!
“A Time to Kill” is the first of Grisham’s books to ever be adapted for the stage, and the Downtown Playhouse is one of only a handful of theatres to produce the play since it left Broadway in late 2013.
Carl Lee Hailey is a heartbroken black father who avenges his daughter’s brutal rape by shooting the bigoted men responsible for the crime as they are on their way to trial. He turns to Jake Brigance, an untested lawyer, to defend him. Brigance struggles to believe that he can get Hailey acquitted in this small, segregated Southern town, given Hailey’s race and the deliberate nature of his crimes, but Carl has unshakable faith in him.
The novel was adapted for the stage by Rupert Holmes. The Pocahontas production is directed by Kelly Grooms, who is also in the cast.
The large cast includes David Early of Jonesboro in the role of Jack Brigance and Walter Grooms of Pocahontas as Carl Lee Hailey. Others on the cast include Atalaya Meredith of Paragould, Derek Phelps of Pocahontas, Shelisha Laday of Pocahontas, Kenneth Benton of Corning, Conley Meredith of Paragould and several others.
Kelly Grooms manages the Downtown Playhouse and has overseen its elaborate renovation. The stage and seating areas have been completely revamped over the past few months, and murals of famous Broadway productions adorn the interior walls. The Downtown Playhouse is a destination venue in itself!
Plays will feature a dessert and show format. Audience members can choose from a large variety of coffees, teas, or soft drinks and delicious desserts.
Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and doors open at 6:45 pm. The $19.60 admission charge includes show, drink, dessert and tax.
The Downtown Playhouse is located at 302 N. Marr, which is a block north of the Pocahontas square. For more information, go to www.thedowntownplayhouse.com.
Don’t miss this last opportunity to see this amazing production!
