There is simply nothing better than a courtroom drama.
Admittedly, as an attorney, I am biased. Nevertheless, as far as I am concerned, drama is at its best in the courtroom, ranging from “To Kill a Mockingbird” to “Witness for the Prosecution,” court marshal classics like “A Few Good Men” and “The Caine Mutiny,” and even musicals like “Chicago.” Where would theater be without trial lawyers?
And then, of course, there is “Inherit the Wind.”
This 1955 classic dramatizes the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” trial, pitting creationism against evolution. The play fictionalizes the conviction of John T. Scopes, a high school teacher who was tried for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in violation of Tennessee state law. The case pitted two legends of the early Twentieth Century, Clarence Darrow (played by Eric Salonis) and Nebraska’s William Jennings Bryan (Steve Miller), with media coverage by another legend, H. L. Mencken (Eric Grant-Leanna).
Director Cathy Kurz was struck by the story’s resonance while watching the press conference held for Kentucky clerk of court Kim Davis after she was released from jail for refusing to sign same sex marriage licenses. “As the camera started panning the crowd, it looked like a scene from “’Inherit the Wind.’ There were people in lawn chairs fanning themselves, concessionaires, people selling Bibles.” She polled her college students and discovered many of them were still taught “intelligent design,” a pseudoscientific reworking of creationism, side by side with evolution. It was apparent that “Inherit the Wind” was as relevant now as it was sixty years ago.
Yet, while Clarence Darrow’s character is the hero of the play, Kurz also empathizes with Bryan. “Bryan wasn’t an extremist, but he felt that teaching evolution was going too far.” The battle between the secular and the spiritual rages on.
The townspeople are the true audience in this story. Kurz’s staging will ensure her audiences will be just as integral. The production will open in the parlor of First Central Congregational Church, as the Reverend, the Mayor, and Mencken’s alter ego address the town. The audience will then move next door into the Memorial Chapel, a perfect courtroom setting, where they will sit as the jury and watch the trial unfold. In addition to the drama, some audiences will be able to engage on an even deeper level. Brigit St. Brigit is partnering with the First Central Congregational Church’s inaugural “Science And Spirituality” Colloquy, an exploration of the relationship between mind and spirit. Along with the play, scheduled events will include talks and talkbacks with scientists and historians. It sounds like the perfect evening for this lawyer, and his lawyer spouse.
“Inherit the Wind” will be the first production of Brigit St. Brigit’s 2016-2017 season. It will be performed in the Memorial Chapel at the First Central Congregational Church at 421 South 36th Street on September 9, 10, 11; 16, 17, 18; 22, 24, 25 (there is no performance on Friday, September 23). Curtain is at 7:30 Thursday through Saturday, and 2:00 pm on Sundays. (Note: a September 11 matinee is not yet confirmed.) Tickets are $25 for adults, and $20 for students, seniors (65+), TAG members, and members of the military. Because this production was moved from June to September, members holding 2015/2016 season tickets will be admitted at no charge. Tickets can be ordered on line through Brigit St. Brigit’s website, http://www.bsbtheatre.com or by calling the box office line at (402) 502-4910.