ST. MARTINVILLE — The classic novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” is about to unfold on stage in the Teche Area.

People can enjoy the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee published in 1960 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday night as 18 actors and actresses from around the area bring the story to life at the Duchamp Opera House.

The Evangeline Players production also can be seen at 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays for the next three weekends.

4/1/08 Vincent Barras as Atticus, from left, Dr. Daniel Wiltz as Tom Robinson and Mike Berry as Judge Taylor. Lee Ball/The Daily Iberian Advertisement

Mac Stern is directing the production; he is being assisted by Smitty Smith.

“The play takes place in Maycomb, Ala., in 1935 as a black man is accused of attacking and taking advantage of a white girl,” said Mike Boroto, who plays Sheriff Heck Tate in the production.

“The white girl and her father are called the dregs of society. Atticus Finch, a lawyer, defends the black male and everyone in the community knows he did not do this crime. When people come to this show they must understand their is still a lot of segregation and prejudice in the South. ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ is told through the eyes of Finch’s daughter, Jean Louise Finch.”

Boroto said his role in the play is to act out a tough sheriff.

“I know what is going on, but I have to do my duties as the sheriff of the county,” he said.

The crew has practiced for about two hours a day, four days a week since February.

“This play tells the feeling of the South in the early 1930s,” sad Joyce Case, an actress in the play. “My role is to play Maudie, who is the neighbor of the Finches. Maudie realizes that the black man is innocent. She talks to the children in the neighborhood and tries to explain the prejudice.”

Stern said he took on the director’s role because the story is an American classic.

“I supposed that every child in high school has read this play in English class,” he said. “I had a lot of fun with this play and we had a really good supporting cast. Everyone should at least read this book if they don’t get a chance to come see the play.”

Other cast members in the production are Katherine Caffery (Jean Louise), Anne Caffery (Scout), Travis Guillory (Jem), Vincent Barras (Atticus), Agnes Edwards (Calpurnia), Stephanie Judice (Stephanie), Carmen Nickalson (Ms. Dubose), Joseph Diaz (Nathan and Boo), Justin Judice (Dill), Mike Berry ( Judge Taylor), Ronald Charles (Rev. Sykes), Kyla Heintz (Mayella), Mike Caffery (Bob Ewell), Bob Sidman (Mr. Cunningham), Doc Voorhies (Mr. Gilmer), Daniel Wiltz (Tom Robinson) and Judy Edwards (Helen Robinson).

Tickets for “To Kill a Mockingbird” can be purchased at Shamrock Office Supplies in St. Martinville or at the door on production night for $10.