(Photo) “Mockingbird” Play Scene.

Piece 1: To Kill A Mockingbird Play/Old Monroe County Courthouse. Monroeville AL is in the southern part of the state, about halfway between Montgomery and Mobile.

It’s predominantly known as the place that gave the literary world Ms. Harper Lee, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of maybe the best selling novel in history, “To Kill a Mockingbird”.

The area is also associated with the early life of writer Truman Capote, perhaps best known for his novella “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the true crime book “In Cold Blood”.

Each spring from around mid-April to mid-May, the Mockingbird Company (established by Ms. Lee) schedules stage performances of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Old Monroe County Courthouse.

The 2-hour play begins outside (behind the courthouse) in the Otha Lee Briggs Amphitheater, which features rustic (but comfortable) seating for the audience facing a stage depicting the fictional town of Maycomb, AL.

An intermission after the First Act gives the audience time to transition into the Old Courthouse Building (established in 1903 and restored in the 1960’s) for The Second Act, which recreates the story’s courtroom scenes.

Casted with local actors, the play is very well done.

There are two permanent exhibits installed in the Courthouse Building (one for Harper Lee and another for Truman Capote) that feature many photographs and other items of interest. We were able to view these after the play.

Harper Lee Gravesite in Monroeville

Piece 2: Harper Lee Gravesite/Truman Capote Childhood Homesite/David’s Catfish. Harper Lee died in February 2016 and is interred at Hillcrest Cemetery off Pineville Road in Monroeville.

Her gravesite is among those of other family members, including her sister Alice who died in 2014.

Ms. Lee’s cemetery marker is typically covered in pennies, the most common way people acknowledge their visit. The day we visited, there were a variety of items there…a decorative plate, little potted plants, a rock, a shell, and even an aluminum pop top off a food can (perhaps a nod to Ms. Lee’s frugal lifestyle).

A somewhat nondescript sign just off South Alabama Avenue in Monroeville marks the site of the Faulk family home, where a very young Truman Capote spent summer vacations and briefly lived.

When it was time to eat, we had to try a restaurant reputed to be one of Harper Lee’s favorite dining spots in town, David’s Catfish House.

Located about five miles south of the Old Courthouse, off U.S. Highway 84, David’s did not disappoint. The cole slaw was especially good; a flavorful compliment to the fried catfish.

Conecuh Sausage Store (Evergreen AL)

Piece 3: Conecuh Sausage retail store (Evergreen). About 1/2 hour east of Monroeville, just off Interstate 65 in Evergreen AL, is the Conecuh Sausage retail store.

The store has several large freezer cases full of the company’s food products, and offers visitors a “smoked sausage bar” during breakfast and lunchtime hours.

We had our grilled sausages on hotdog buns with a variety of toppings and condiments.

There is also a “front porch area” with tables and chairs; a great spot to relax and enjoy your food when the weather is nice.

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