The Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird will become the first-ever Broadway play to perform at The World’s Most Famous Arena, New York’s Madison Square Garden, on February 26, 2020, in front of approximately 18,000 New York City public school students.
With the support of James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, this unprecedented, single-performance event will be entirely free to students of New York City Department of Education public middle and high schools from all five boroughs. This performance of Aaron Sorkin’s new play, directed by Bartlett Sher, and based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, will feature the entire Broadway cast, with by Ed Harris as Atticus Finch.
“This is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and will undoubtedly have an indelible impact on our students for years to come,” said Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza. “In New York City, we’re making record investments in arts education, and we thank the producers, artists, and everyone at Madison Square Garden for their incredible generosity in bringing the arts to life for our school communities.”
To Kill a Mockingbird is the most successful American play in Broadway history. The production has now amassed a total gross of more than $100,000,000, and continues to play to standing-room-only houses. Performances have not played to an empty seat, with capacity remaining over 100% for every performance. As previously announced,To Kill a Mockingbird will launch its coast-to-coast National Tour in August 2020 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The production will also open at London’s Gielgud Theatre in May 2020.
“Madison Square Garden has been the backdrop of a number of entertainment firsts over its history – but few have been as impactful or important as the upcoming performance ofTo Kill a Mockingbird,” said James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company in the press release. “This show will mark the first time a Broadway play has appeared at The World’s Most Famous Arena, which will give thousands of New York City students the chance to witness the incredible power of live theater - an experience we know they will never forget. We applaud Scott Rudin and Barry Diller’s vision for bringing this celebrated production to life on such a grand scale, and look forward to working with their teams, as well as with the Department of Education, on this extraordinary event, which we hope will be the first of many.”
Photo: Little Fang