Atticus: A Tale of Redemption

Vashon Allied Arts presents Atticus, a powerful tale of familial love between a father and his wayward son, 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov.5 and 6, and 2 p.m., Nov. 5, at Blue Heron Art Center.

The play, adapted by St. John Vianney’s Fr. Marcus Powell, is based on a national bestseller novel penned by California-based author Ron Hansen. Hansen will also attend opening night and invite audience discussion following the performance.

The story of Atticus (played by Peter Kreitner), a stoic Colorado cattle man, is a potent murder mystery but also explores the complex love between Atticus and his deeply flawed, yet talented artist son Scott, (played by Steve Tosterud). Powell compares the story’s scope and ambition to books like Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.

Directed by Charlotte Tiencken, the talented cast also includes Lisa Breen, Antonia Greene, Robert Harkins and Fernando Luna. Set in both Colorado and Mexico, the minimal set design was created by Tom Bardeen, Gordon Millar, Paul Wilkin and Jenna Riggs. Recorded music provided by Island artist Kat Eggleston and additional music and sound design contributed by Islander Marcus Fellbaum.

"I fell in love with the novel because, unlike most modern fiction, it exalts selflessly giving of ourselves for the benefit of another, and because Hansen is one of our country’s best and most lyrical of fiction writers on spirituality and ethical dilemmas," says Powell.

Due to subject matter, this play is rated PG-13. Tickets, $12/$15 are available at

Blue Heron, Heron’s Nest, Books by the Way, bookshops and
www.brownpapertickets.com. Or call 463.5131.