#- Erin Keenan was here

[sigmamax69]

OK OK so I kept seeing @kindheartedgummybears's and @lazylesbianbear's werewolf AUs and I reallly like them and I got inspired to draw something like that !!

Tbh ig this is just as if Erin and Jamie were in The Quarry's setting, and Jamie got turned into a werewolf and captured Erin in the woods. What will happen to her? Who knows!!

[taylorshope]

Some random dpa text posts I haven't posted

[108garys]

Anya Keenan

On one of my scribble pages I scrawled an attempt at Erin's mother, brain feels like a colander otherwise

[unhingedlesbear]

So yall, your girl wanted to be so goofy and had the idea to try and somehow make a Quarry AU of The devil in me. It has ended up being 10x more of a commitment than I ever expected and I hate it its a jumbled mess but your girl is TRYING god bless wish me luck xoxo

[lonnit-entertainment]

Erin: Is stabbing someone immoral?

Kate: Not if they consent to it.

Jamie: Depends who you’re stabbing.

Charlie: YES?!

[kindheartedgummybears]

GUYS I

I

I DID IT

MERMAID ERIN IS HEREEEEEEEEEEE

[best-supermassive-character]

Jamie Tiergan x Erin Keenan (Jerin) 1. my beloveds okay, i was in pleasant shock when saw a "young love" plot line (i didn't know anything about TDiM when i started it so didn't expect to get lesbians) 2. Jamie and Erin already have such a wonderful dynamic to begin with, having bounced around each other before taking the leap after enough flustering and teasing. They care so deeply for each other, and one losing the other is beyond heartbreaking. Erin even admits how much she doesn't want to lose Jamie, which makes my heart scream and yell and cry and oh my god 3. They're sweet, they're cute, they're canon! Supermassive finally gave us an official queer couple that can get together and Jerin deserves some recognition for that. <3 4. I mean, its Jerin! They're relationship is so cute and interesting even if they don't get together, its so clear when they don't they still very much love and adore each other and have so much more to say. And when they ARE together they are just so cute and gentle to each other. The perfect couple <3 (also they are a very rare non-white biracial lesbian couple that aren't toxic or weird so the representation they hold is just <3) Laura Kearney x Max Brinly 1. Binky bonky 2. Laura is so protective about Max, just best gf ever 3. I think Laura's main motivation throughout the majority of the game being to break the curse on her boyfriend is SO good. The devotion here is so real. I love their silly old person pet names. Max wearing his girlfriend's clothes is also great. The scene where they reunite is SO good. This one's probably my favorite canon Supermassive ship I just completely buy that these two care about each other, want the best for each other, and enjoy each others' company.

[marigoidz]

Before You Follow..

You can call me Aiyana/A

Main interests at the moment: The Devil in Me and Little Hope

Fav characters from main interests: Kate Wilder, Erin Keenan, Andrew, Angela

Other things I may post/rb: Other DPA games, The Quarry, Until Dawn, FNAF, DDLC, Ace Attorney, LIS, interesting critters, cool art unrelated to fandoms, random discussion stuff and rambles, dumb jokes

No DNI just don't be weird or I'll block. If you hate my favs with a burning passion or something then there's not much point in being here but. I can't tell u what to do

Other places to find me: TikTok - Marigoids, Pinterest - Marigoidz, Discord - Marigoids, Playstation - Marigoidzz

Also:

Enjoy your stay :D

[kassiekole22]

Christmas Fic Requests

It's Christmas season, Buds! A little while ago I hit 100 followers on here and this Holiday I want to give back to all of you for giving me so much love and support in the time I've been on here. 💖💖💖

I want you to tell me what your most ideal fic would be. It can be smut, fluff, angst, or all three! And I'll post it on Christmas day as a gift to you!

Requirements:

Story - I need to know if there will be any background story to the fic.

Characters - I will only write for certain characters. Any other characters that I'm not comfortable with or not familiar with I won't write for.

Smut, Fluff, Angst - I need to know which three of these I'll be writing or if you want a mix of two or all of them.

Personal Traits (Optional) - You can get the fic personalized. Tell me a few details about yourself, a hobby, or/and a job that you have and I'll add it to the fic to personalize it to you!

Romantic, Enemies, Or Platonic - I need to know if the relationship between you and the characters are romantic, enemies, or platonic. I will gladly do either but I need to know which characters have what relationships. And I will write polygamy.

Length - Do you want a short fic (Below 1k words.) A medium fic (Between 4k and 5k words.) Or a long fic (6k words or more)?

Rules:

Characters I will write for: Jason Kolchek and Salim Othman. (Surprise, surprise! 😂) And I'll also do Clarice Stokes, Travis Hackett, Erin Keenan, Jamie Tiergan, and Kate Wilder as well. What the hell. I'll try something new for you guys! Any requests for characters that I don't know will unfortunately get turned down. I'm sorry. 😕

When you send in a request, make sure that the anon is off.

I have also limited it to one fic per person.

And that's it! Again, these will all get posted on Christmas day. I can't wait to hear your wonderful ideas and I can't wait to write them! 💖💖💖

[giveamadeuschohisownmovie]

My opinion on the survivability of the Dark Pictures Anthology main characters if the games were actual movies:

1) Man of Medan

Fliss -> most likely to survive (Final Girl since she’s the most responsible one)

Alex -> has some plot armor since he’s technically the protagonist by being the leader of the group, but gets some points docked down due to his insecurity

Brad -> I’m neutral with Brad since he’s the innocent one, meaning he’ll either survive because he’s likable or he’ll die to make the audience feel sad

Julia -> likely to die due to her recklessness

Conrad -> jokester character who pissed the villains off, guaranteed dead

FINAL COUNT: Fliss alive. I can see Alex surviving as well. Brad is 50/50.

2) Little Hope

Doesn’t count due to the story. Andrew/Anthony survives by default. However, I can see his story ending with him forgiving himself, I feel that’s the most canon ending.

The only ending I don’t see happening in an actual movie would be the one where he’s arrested, that’s too much of an anticlimax.

3) House of Ashes

Rachel King -> most likely to survive since she has the Final Girl/Ellen Ripley vibes

Eric King -> I’ll give Eric some plot armor here since he’s Rachel’s husband and main love interest, simply because it’d be too much to axe off both of Rachel’s lovers. If Rachel is Ripley, then Eric gets the Corporal Dwayne Hicks-level plot armor (not too strong, but strong enough). So in a real movie, I can see Eric surviving, but getting badly injured during the final showdown.

Salim Othman -> I think Salim would survive purely because I can see Jason sacrificing himself to save Salim in an actual movie. So Salim gets the sacrificial lamb-type plot armor. Also, Salim gets some plot armor since he’s technically the unofficial hero (he discovers the vampires’ weakness, he’s the one pushing for unity, and he’s the most honorable one).

Jason Kolchek -> Jason is intolerant and the asshole of the group, he probably dies by saving Salim (similar to how CJ redeemed himself in “Dawn of the Dead”)

Nick Kay -> he’s the side guy to Eric and Rachel’s relationship and he volunteers for the suicide mission, he’s guaranteed dead.

FINAL COUNT: Rachel, Eric (but injured during the eclipse battle), Salim

4) The Devil in Me

Kate Wilder -> most likely to survive (Final Girl since she’s the most responsible one)

Mark Nestor -> he gets some armor since he’s Kate’s love interest…but since “The Devil in Me” plays out like a “Saw” movie, Mark’s chances of surviving are still pretty low

Jamie Tiergan -> Jamie has “ill-fated supporting character in a horror movie” energy. She likely makes it farther than Charles and Erin, but she’s definitely dying at the midway point.

Charles Lonnit -> he’s the old guy bossing around the younger cast, I don’t see Charles surviving the movie. Especially since he’s the one who brought the crew to the island.

Erin Keenan -> Erin has “innocent, timid girl who the audience would feel sad about if she died first” energy…which essentially means she’s a goner.

FINAL COUNT: Most likely scenario is Kate as the sole survivor. If the director is not as bloodthirsty, then only Kate and Mark survive.

[madraynesims]

Strangetown: In The Sims 3

To continue on my last post about my Sims 3 Strangetown experience, Kayleigh gave birth to a little girl named Janet, and by now they had a second child, another daughter named Francine!

I mentioned before Kayleigh, Dominic had 3 children with Chloe Curious, here they are! Their eldest daughter, Jolene, is to the right. She’s Evil and Mean Spirited, definitely reminds me of Dominic lol. In the middle is their other daughter Esmeralda, she’s a sweetie. Then their son, Keenan, to the left. Oh! Jolene is currently dating Rex Hogg, the son of Dusty Hogg and Cindy Freebers. Chloe’s sister Lola still lives with them. Kristen Loste and Erin Beaker have both moved out and started families of their own.

Speaking of Dusty Hogg. This whole playthrough Dusty and Cindy Freebers have been on and off. Ending up with 6 children together before they both rolled the want to get married, just to immediately break up the second I left the household. LOL. From left to right we have their daughters; Stacy, Chana, Judith and their sons Darren, Allan and Rex. Chana is in a relationship with Kelley Beaker, the eldest son of Loki and Circe Beaker!

Circe and Loki Beaker had two children before ending up in a divorce. On the right is Kelley, not sure why he has black hair? I guess it was randomized. He gets along best with his dad and still lives with him. Their youngest son is named Cecil and he gets along best with his mom. Circe and Cecil both moved out together after the divorce. Loki is romantically interested in Annie Howell now, but she actually just got engaged to Buck Grunt recently! Awhile back Nervous got fed up and moved into his own apartment. He never got involved with Annie, but he was dating Jonas Bragg before Jonas passed away.

Ophelia and Johnny Smith got married the second they became adults and started a family! They currently live in Olive’s home, which Ophelia inherited, with their daughter Ginny and son Chadrick. Ophelia just got pregnant, so there’s a third on the way! They also have 5 dogs. FIVE. Unfortunately, at this time Johnny is in mourning because both his parents have passed away from old age. This is the part I hate lol when everyone gets too old.

One of my favorite families to follow are the Fusillis. Ripp Grunt and Ara dated when they were teens and got married when they became unexpectedly pregnant with their oldest son, Jon. They bought a house together and had another child named Stephanie. I just think they’re so cute together.

The Rossums! Isaac and Roberta Rossum had 3 children together. The oldest son is Vernon, who looks just like Roberta. To the right is Mitchel, spitting image of Isaac tbh. Then their daughter Letitia. Vernon never got along with his parents and moved out once he became a teen and is currently dating Hazel Dente’s eldest daughter Marlana. Unfortunately, while Isaac wasn’t home, Roberta got into Isaac’s inventing bench and caught herself on fire, tragically burning to death.

Erin and Lazlo Curious got together pretty early on. They had one son together named Jedediah. He turned out pretty cute, and a genius! My favorite thing here was Lazlo was the first sim to adopt a pet. He got Fuzzball when she was a little kitten.

I love love loveee the Smith family. XY-XY and XHT-F got married right away and had 3 sons together. The eldest son to the left is XCT-U, to the right is XHT-M and their youngest X1-X2. XCT-U is in a relationship with Tycho Curious (who is female in my game) and XHT-M is dating Janis Smith, the youngest daughter of Jenny and Mister Smith. The two Smith families are very close, Mister Smith was always coming over to visit. The two older boys don’t seem to get along, XCT-U actually decided to move out to live with Tycho and Pascal.

Some honorable mentions: Daddy Bigbucks had a son named Fidel with Pita Florica. Yes. Fidel. Jill Smith hasn’t been able to settle down. She had a son named Andrea with Buck Grunt, then had another son with Jorge Mole. Vidcund Curious had a one time fling with Renee Andrews, resulting in a son named Jabari, whom he complains about child support for every chance he gets. Frankie Fusilli is in a relationship with Crystal Vu. They have two daughters, Charmaine and Dianna. Kristen and Ajay Loner married and have two daughters, Trina and Alisa.

[miskinmusicinfo]

MUSIC PERFORMANCE/VOICE ZOOM SESSIONS TUESDAY 7th

You will attend one session on Tuesday of around 45 minutes, grouped as follows:

Group A 

11am

Tommy Bailey

Alfie Bainbridge

Brandon Bishop

Samuel Bradley

Elliot Charles

Jack Coleman

Valentino Coleman

Max Crawford

Keenan Dixon

Kyle Dodds

Joshua Hennessy

Jaydee Johnson

Sam Johnson

Luke Judge

Abigail Marolle

Scarlett Spanyol

George Taylor

Louie Thorne

Zachary Vaughan

Erin Jewiss

Group B 

12pm

Ben Hatcher

Hattie Read

Ben Webb

Serena Clemente

Emma Brand

Ryan Brown

Shanice Chin

Kayleigh Cresswell

Brooke Davidson

Sophia Gainsford

Lisa Hobbs

Lucy Kampta

Fergus McHugh

Rosie Thorby

Melissa Thornton-Hayes

Soraya Watkins

Ruby Edmeades

Sean Hillier

Alexandra Reeve

Ava Blighton

Alanna Buckingham

John Maginnis

Megan Taylor

The link to join your meeting will appear here on this Tumblr link 5 minutes before the session starts. All you will need to do is click on the link.

You will also be attending college on Wednesday 8th

Group A 10am-3pm

Group B 11am-4pm

Everyone to meet at the Venue

Thursday 9th will be your day off

On Friday all Miskin Voice learners will be meeting at the Venue at 10am

All Musicians to join us at 11am

A full schedule for the first six weeks will be published on Friday 10th

[108garys]

TDPA NPC birthdays

So I do try to keep a list of the known character birthdays within the anthology and I'm getting to think that despite npc birthdays being a thing for the quarry it just may not become a thing for us officially so I'm willing to add unofficial birthdays for npc characters like I did with Anthony

Here's all the canon birthdays(and Anthony's) that I have listed so different days can be picked

Also note, I'm considering all the little hope doubles as sharing birthdays and Alex will likely be given a canon birthday sooner or later, tho any npc without a canon birthday would be excepted I'd certainly like the prologue characters to get something too

Manny Sherman 1/jan

Fliss 6/jan

Anne Clarke/Angela/Amy Lambert 12/feb

Brad smith 18/February

Kate Wilder 15/march

James Clarke/John/Joseph Lambert 8/April

Erin Keenan 28/April

Dennis Clarke/Daniel/David Milton 29/april

Salim Othman 1/may

Julia 13/may

Zain Othman 31/may

Hector Waylon Mundy 11/June

Megan Clarke/Mary Milton 16/june

Mark Nestor 29/june

Anthony Clarke/Andrew/Abraham Alastor

1/july(unofficial)

Jason kolchek 22/July

Eric king 28/July

Conrad 1/august

Jamie Tiergan 7/august

Tanya Clarke/Taylor/Tabitha Milton 22/august

Rachel king 23/august

Charlie Lonnit 26/September

Nick Kay 23/October

[crookedbigbang]

ARTIST CLAIMS ARE HERE!

TIMELINE: 

Artist Sign-Ups: May 22-August 7 

Artist Claims Open:  August 6 

Final Check-In: August 30 

Final Drafts Due: Sept 18 

Posting Begins: September 21

THE BASICS:

One of the unique aspects of a big bang challenge is the combination of fic and fanart. Artists are welcome to create art in any medium they choose, including but not limited to: mixes, videos, podfics, gifs, drawings, paintings, graphics, edits, comics, physical crafts. Art is impossible to quantify, but we do ask that artists put in a significant effort in recognition of the work that the writers are doing on the fics. Authors will be writing their fics all summer and will be expending significant time on the project. A good benchmark for artists is about 15-20 hours of work, including brainstorming and planning.

The final product should be a collaboration between author and artist. What that collaboration looks like is a highly individual process: if you get a clear artistic vision, run with it; but you should also feel free to ask your author any questions you have along the journey. Artists and authors should share drafts with each other as they go so that when the final products are posted, they complement each other well.

SIGN UP HERE | JOIN THE BIG BANG DISCORD SERVER HERE

We have 5 wonderful Big Bang fics. Click the Read More for their summaries!

Fic 1: Take Me Out to the Ballgame Tentative Title: (not the title) take me out to the ballgame Pairing(s): Jon Favreau / Tommy Vietor Characters:  Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor Ao3 Rating: E Warnings: No archive warnings apply Additional Tags: Baseball AU ; Coming Out ; Bisexual Characters ; Dating ; Alternate Universe - Different Meeting Summary: Jon and Tommy meet playing baseball in high school and start to fall for each other, then Tommy moves away. Their epic love story continues when they end up on the same Minor League baseball team. The big question is, will they end up with a World Series ring or an engagement ring? Fic 2: Spirits that I’ve Cited Tentative Title: Spirits that I've cited   Pairing(s): Tommy/Lovett; background Emily/Jon, Alyssa/Erin Characters: Tommy, Lovett, Favs, Emily, Alyssa, Erin, Dan Ao3 Rating: tentative M (for psychological horror and possible sex) Warnings: a non-consensual kiss under the influence of possession might happen, this scene is not yet written Additional Tags: paranormal investigators, slow burn, reluctant colleagues to friends to lovers, mutual pining, angst, hurt/comfort, accidental internet stars, bed-sharing, coming-out, road trips, witches getting married, demonic possession, ghosts, mythical creatures, Monster of the Week, psychological but non-graphical horror, slightly unreliable narrator, intoxication, magical mind control, themes of bodily and mental autonomy, (past) abusive relationships (not between main characters), possession induced mental health problems, worldbuilding, happy ending Summary:  It’s a cold day in November when Tommy meets Lovett and his life turns upside down. Which shouldn’t be the worst thing, looking at it objectively. 

Because, objectively, Tommy’s life already sucks. He is lonely, depressed, and Crooked Medium, the agency for paranormal investigations he co-owns with his ex-boyfriend Jared, is falling apart. Besides the shitty fact that he and Jared broke up, they constantly operate in the red, despite their best efforts. And it’s just the garbage cherry on top of the dumpster sundae that Jared and their only other core member, Jon, hate each other’s guts. Jon is Tommy's friend, but more importantly, he is Crooked Medium's exorcist par excellence, and for a former priest Tommy thought he might be better at the whole 'turn the other cheek' thing. He supposes that probably explains the 'former' part. So of course he panics when Jon unexpectedly buys out Jared’s shares in the company and offers Lovett a one-year apprenticeship as a medium and buys Jared shares of the agency. Suddenly Tommy’s faced with training a person who is not familiar with magic in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, instead of relying on the experience Jared had. Despite the help from magical professors Alyssa and Dan, witch and shop-owner Erin, and their whole team—to Tommy it feels like Lovett’s credentialing next November is ages away. However, after a bonding experience involving ghost mice, Tommy slowly but surely discovers that Lovett isn’t an inconvenience at all. He is charming, attractive, hilarious, and way more talented than Tommy originally anticipated. Even their business improves, especially when they become an overnight internet sensation due to a malfunction. Instead of operating only in Boston, people across the country are now booking them to handle their mystical and paranormal problems. With each new case, Lovett learns more—and Tommy learns more about Lovett. This is unfortunate, given that Lovett is technically Tommy's intern, and the last thing Tommy needs is a harassment scandal. Tommy, naturally good at ignoring things, decides to ignore it. Which works out fine, thank you very much. At least up until Alyssa and Erin’s magical wedding in the woods. Or up until Lovett has a life-changing experience with a mirror. Or maybe even up until Lovett (plus Lovett's friend/household spirit Spencer) moves in. And just when Tommy thinks falling in love with his employee is his biggest problem, it turns out much more nefarious forces are at work. Fic #3: The gentle outline of the country we are building Tentative Title: The gentle outline of the country we are building  Pairing(s): Jon Favreau/Jon Lovett/Tommy Vietor, Jon Favreau/Jon Lovett, Jon Favreau/Tommy Vietor, Jon Lovett/Tommy Vietor Characters: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer, Alyssa Mastromonaco, Cody Keenan, Michael O' Neill, Spencer Wong, Andy Favreau, Tanya Somanader, Travis Helwig Ao3 Rating: E Warnings: No archive warnings apply Additional Tags: DC era, LA era, pining, wrong number AU, polyamory, threesomes, jealousy, slow burn, friends with benefits, angst with a happy ending, getting together, smut, fluff, blowjobs, anal sex, rimming, dirty talk, sexting, drinking, marijuana, sex under mild influence of alcohol, friends to lovers.  AO3 (working) Summary: It takes spending the night in one room with a king-sized bed for Jon, Lovett, and Tommy to finally get it right after nearly a decade of trying.  AKA A story about Jon, Tommy, and Lovett getting together, aided and abetted by Jon’s technological ineptitude, misunderstandings, love, friendship, and longing.   Expanded summary: Jon and Lovett embark on a charged, text-based flirtation without knowing the other after Jon texts the wrong number during the 2008 general election campaign. It feels like a summer fling that wouldn’t end, just like those times Jon had slept with Tommy back in Chicago. But both of them do end, but at least Jon’s going to the White House with a new speechwriter and his best friend in tow. Jon thinks, not the right time then with Tommy, not the right time now with you, Lovett.   They write speeches and policies and learn lessons on how to build a country and a friendship. The first summer at the White House, Tommy starts taking Lovett to bed almost every night. Two years later, he stops, because Lovett knocks on his door one day and says, “I am leaving.” Not quite the right time for you and me.   Lovett spends his days in LA writing things very different from what he used to but thinking thoughts about Jon and Tommy that aren’t all that different. Jon and Tommy skype him from Chicago when his show gets canceled, and Lovett thinks about how right they look together on the screen, like they belong to each other. Jon comes to LA and doesn’t leave. Tommy moves closer, but not close enough. They lose everything when November 2016 dawns and then build an empire from the ruins, and over the next few months, they think, maybe it wasn’t the right time then, and maybe we did not do this before because we were always meant to do this together. All of us.   Fic 4: Loving Him was Red - Azure Title: loving him was red - azure Pairing(s): Jon Favreau/Dan Pfeiffer, background Michael/Elijah Characters: Jon, Dan, Tommy, Lovett, Alyssa, Michael, Elijah Rating: E Warnings: No major warnings apply Additional tags: alternate universe, actors, hollywood, tabloids, love at first sight, BDSM, like lots of BDSM, spanking, flogging, humiliation, painplay, safeword use, failed scene, alcohol, alcohol abuse, drug use and abuse, divorce, bad at communication Summary: Rising star Dan Pfeiffer meets grown-up child actor Jon Favreau on the set of the movie that just might be their big break. It's a good old-fashioned Hollywood story. Boy meets Boy. Boy falls head over heels at first sight. Boy marries Boy. Boy ties Boy up and fucks him til he screams. But the Hollywood lights hit every dark shadow too and as the tabloids stir up gossip; as Jon spends more and more time at the club; and as Dan starts to wonder what comes next, the faultlines widen and their marriage falls into the abyss This is the first of a three fic arc chronicling the beginning, end, and re-beginning of an epic love story. Fic 5: Invisible String

Tentative Title:  Invisible String Pairing(s): Jon Favreau / Tommy Vietor Characters: Jon Favreau, Tommy Vietor Ao3 Rating: Explicit Warnings: NO WARNINGS   Additional Tags: affection, holding hands, chase sequence, shaving (face), mention of pod sponsors, wills & estates, cartoon villains, clothes sharing, Boston, plane flights, current day/LA era,Summary: Human boatshoe Tommy Vietor discovers he can claim a huge inheritance if he can prove he is married. If he does not, the $40 million fortune will go to the National Rifle Association. Best friend Jon Favreau steps up to help Tommy out. The NRA hires investigators to find information in order to break the will, chasing our boys all over Boston at one point. 

[brothermarc7theatre]

“To Kill a Mockingbird” show #795

Broadway may not have known it needed a new version of To Kill a Mockingbird, but Aaron Sorkin has provided one, whether you want it or not. It is near impossible to sit through the new production, adapted from Harper Lee’s novel of the same name, and not see how its themes transcend the giant Shubert Theatre stage to 2019’s political and social climate. By political, I include the judicial branch, and by social I mean racism and gender-based stereotypes. Mr. Sorkin, a titan of the entertainment writing biz, has given much attention to the play’s male protagonist, Atticus Finch, performed with aplomb and full-on commitment by Jeff Daniels. However, when one recalls Lee’s novel, the true star of the story is Scout, Atticus’ young daughter, who tells the story through her eyes. Not just youthful orator, but also a reliable narrator (as far as a child’s interpretation may go), which is rare to come by. By shifting the focus to Atticus’ journey, this new …Mockingbird may have communicated a new ending lesson entirely, whether it meant to or not. It has centered its lessons on the man, not the girl, whether intentional or not. However, it does come away with an affecting warning for those who see it in all its splendor.

(Celia Keenan-Bolger (Scout) and Jeff Daniels (Atticus); Photo credit: Sara Krulwich/The New York Times)

In the sturdy, comforting hands of Ms. Celia Keenan-Bolger, who won a Tony award for her performance, is Scout. Ms. Keenan-Bolger’s childlike demeanor and delivery is endowed with alluring enthusiasm, being a likeable narrator/character from the start. She conveys the most exact emotions Scout feels through the story, whether rooting on her father, seeing the injustices being hurled on Tom Robinson, or engaging in some fun with her brother, Jem, and new friend, Dill. Jeff Daniels, the starry leading man, for whom it’s clear Mr. Sorkin’s script is catered to, nails the comedy that percolates through Atticus’ conversations and pontifications. The famed closing argument monologue is given its due diligence through Mr. Daniels’ effective pauses and rise in cadence rather than hammering the monologue in an elevated fashion as many an Atticus’ are want to do. Atticus, the character is consistent, always knowing what he’ll do next and why he’ll do it; however, the overall impression left by Mr. Daniels’ Tony-nominated performance is a case of presence superseding delivery, leaning more on Bartlett Sher’s staging rather than inflection and vulnerability. However, with Mr. Sorkin penning the story to have Atticus’ journey be the subject at hand, Mr. Daniels does effectively display the growth and regret that burdens Atticus by the end of the play.

(LaTanya Richardson Jackson (Calpurnia) and Jeff Daniels (Atticus); Photo credit: Julia Cervantes)

LaTanya Richardson Jackson delivers a strong Calpurnia, housekeeper and babysitter to the Finch family. Ms. Jackson pairs humor with willful strength opposite Mr. Daniels, and trucks along finely in the building of her frustrations with the Robinson trial. Ms. Richardson’s emotionally driven scene with Ms. Keenan-Bolger is as honestly played as her retort-ridden conversations with Mr. Daniels, culminating in a stirringly juicy performance for Ms. Richardson. The evening of my attendance brought understudies Aubie Merryless and Steven Lee Johnson to the stage as Jem and Dill, respectively. Both actors delivered exceptional performances as narrating aides to Scout, and commentators during the Robinson trial scenes. Both matched Ms. Keenan-Bolger’s energy and commitment in a way that made the three “child” characters a cohesive group of rich narration and acting.

(Erin Wilhelmi (Mayella); Photo credit: Julia Cervantes)

Featured standout performances come from Dakin Matthews as a hilarious, laugh-a-minute Judge Taylor, who effortlessly gets the guffaws with a take or calculated line delivery; a compelling, heart-wrenching Erin Wilhelmi as Mayella; and a well-paced Neal Huff as Link, who garners the necessary sympathy for his story to take hold. Though Frederick Weller made an impression as Bob Ewell, villain of the Robinson trial, he often falls into more of a caricature of Maycomb bumpkin rather than true, human character. Again, being told through the eyes of Scout, it would normally make sense for the villain to be more exaggerated, except that Mr. Weller’s performance is the only one at this calibration, causing it to stand out in a less-than-believable way.

(Jeff Daniels (Atticus) and Gbenga Akinnagbe (Tom); Photo credit: Julia Cervantes)

Miriam Buether’s scenic design sets a classic, Southern tone instantly, and her courtroom is spacious, rustic-looking, and perfectly suited for all the dialogue and action taking place among its benches and stands. Adam Guettel’s score certainly creates the right ambiance throughout the play, but neither adds nor detracts from building tension or elevating the production, rather simply existing to exist. It does, however, feed into my lasting impression of the play. For this production, here before you are three established men all working to bring Harper Lee’s novel to new life. Clashing concepts and executions are bound to be present in the beginning stages, but one would expect those to be fleshed out during rehearsals and previews. However, this To Kill a Mockingbird, while certainly deserving of your ticket money and attention, is written like an episodic drama, but directed like a stage play, and delivered by the cast like a novel. Three mediums colliding into one production can often unsettle an audience trying to rest into the rhythm of the play, figuring out where to focus their attention, and what lines to really hang on to. An iconic novel, with everlasting messages, has become a dramatic look at a lawyer-father’s journey from seemingly perfect man to flawed hero. Is that what Harper Lee would have wanted? Is that what audiences want to see in today’s theatre?

[quietya]

31 Days of quietYA: 2019 Contemporary Books You Might Not Have Heard Of

In continuing with this series, here’s some contemporary reads on my radar! Again, this is only my list of books I’m interested in, but there are loads more out there and this is just a good place to start researching.

LOVE FROM A TO Z by S.K. Ali A MATCH MADE IN MEHENDI by Nandini Bajpai THE LOVELY AND THE LOST by Jennifer Lynn Barnes THE BEAUTY OF THE MOMENT by Tanaz Bhathena HOPE AND OTHER PUNCH LINES by Julie Buxbaum THE DEAD QUEENS CLUB by Hannah Capin FIVE MIDNIGHTS by Ann Dávila Cardinal HELLO GIRLS by Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry MISALIGNED by Gloria Chao SYMPTOMS OF A HEARTBREAK by Sona Charaipotra IMMORAL CODE by Lillian Clark ALL-AMERICAN MUSLIM GIRL by Nadine Jolie Courtney BELLY UP by Eva Darrows I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST by Mason Deaver IN THE KEY OF NIRA GHANI by Natasha Deen COLOR ME IN by Natasha Diaz SAY HER NAME by Zetta Elliott TEN BLIND DATES by Ashley Elston GIRL UNDEFINED by Jacqueline Firkins FULL DISCLOSURE by Camryn Garrett SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW by Maurene Goo AMELIA WESTLAKE WAS NEVER HERE by Erin Gough YOU’D BE MINE by Erin Hahn THE SHORTEST DISTANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND HATE by Sandy Hall HER ROYAL HIGHNESS by Rachel Hawkins THROW LIKE A GIRL by Sarah Henning THE BIRDS, THE BEES, AND YOU AND ME by Olivia Hinebaugh MASS DISTURBANCE by Kimberley Jones and Gilly Segal IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY by Claire Kann REBEL GIRLS by Elizabeth Keenan THE LOVE & LIES OF RUKSHANA ALI by Sabina Khan I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI by Sarah Kuhn THE THINGS SHE’S SEEN by Ambelin Kwaymullina and Ezekiel Kwaymullina IT’S A WHOLE SPIEL edited by Katherine Locke and Laura Silverman THE MAP FROM HERE TO THERE by Emery Lord THE ART OF LOSING by Lizzy Mason AMERICAN ROYALS by Katharine McGee FEAR OF MISSING OUT by Kate McGovern THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SWEETIE by Sandhya Menon DON’T DATE ROSA SANTOS by Nina Moreno WHEN THE GROUND IS HARD by Malla Nunn THE BLACK COATS by Colleen Oakes THE PRINCESS AND THE FANGIRL by Ashley Poston TRULY MADLY ROYALLY by Debbie Rigaud 96 WORDS FOR LOVE by Rachel Roy and Ava Dash BIRTHDAY by Meredith Russo TELL ME HOW YOU REALLY FEEL by Aminah Mae Safi THE VIRTUE OF SIN by Shannon Schuren THE DECEIVERS by Kristen Simmons OUR YEAR OF MAYBE by Rachel Lynn Solomon ORDINARY GIRLS by Blair Thornburgh NIGHT MUSIC by Jenn Marie Thorne RECONNECTED by Catherine Tinker STEALING HOME by Becky Wallace GOING OFF SCRIPT by Jen Wilde