To Kill a Mockingbird
Live at MSG
On February 26, 2020, the cast of To Kill a Mockingbird, led by four-time Academy Award® nominee and two-time Golden Globe Award® winner Ed Harris as Atticus Finch, gave a history-making performance of the play at Madison Square Garden, for 18,000 New York City school children.
Aaron Sorkin’s new play, directed by Bartlett Sher, and based on Harper Lee’s classic novel, became the first-ever Broadway play to perform at “The World’s Most Famous Arena”. With the extraordinary support of James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of The Madison Square Garden Company, this unprecedented, single-performance event was entirely free to public middle and high school students from all five boroughs.
The performance was introduced by Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady of New York City Chirlane McCray with filmmaker (and unofficial mayor of Madison Square Garden) Spike Lee serving as Emcee.
This event marked the largest attendance at a single performance of a play ever in world theater.
Introductions by
Mayor Bill de Blasio
First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray
Spike Lee
A New Play by
Aaron Sorkin
Based on the Novel by
Harper Lee
Directed by
Bartlett Sher
Original Music by
Adam Guettel
Scenic Design
Miriam Buether
Costume Design
Ann Roth
Lighting Design
Jennifer Tipton
Sound Design
Scott Lehrer
Hair and Wig Design
Campbell Young Associates
Music Director
Kimberly Grigsby
“It’s been the house of Muhammad Ali, Patrick Ewing and Billy Joel. Now, Madison Square Garden belongs to Harper Lee, too, and to the cast of Broadway’s smash hit ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ who, for an astonishing afternoon, took over the Garden and captivated an audience 18,000 strong. Watching ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ with 18,000 teenagers was one of the most profound theater experiences of my career.”
— Peter Marks, The Washington Post
“All rise for Aaron Sorkin’s great play. One of the best in history.”
— David Richardson, NPR
Photos: Little Fang
The New York Times
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Meets an Arena Full of Students
NBC “Nightly News”
18,000 students see ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at Madison Square Garden
The Washington Post
Watching ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ with 18,000 Teenagers was One of the Most Profound Theater Experiences of My Career
Associated Press
Kids Shine as Broadway’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Goes Big