January 29, 2009 Issue
ASU Theatre Presents Inherit the Wind Trial Scenes February 12 to 21
Performance Part of Yearlong Darwin Bicentennial Series
Spencer Tracy and Fredric March starred in the 1960 film version of Inherit the Wind, a play based on the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Dayton, Tenn.
In collaboration with the Darwin Bicentennial Series, the ASU Theatre department presents the trial scenes from Inherit the Wind, a play based on the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Dayton, Tenn. The performances take place Thursday through Saturday, February 12 to 14, and Thursday through Saturday, February 19 to 21, at 7:00 p.m. each night at the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre on the ASU campus.
The Darwin Bicentennial Series is a yearlong celebration of Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution held to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of On the Origin of Species. Sponsored by the University Forum Committee at Appalachian State University, the series features free public lectures, films and other events.
The trial of State of Tennessee v. John T. Scopes tested a Tennessee state law that prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools. High school teacher John Scopes was charged with teaching evolution on May 5, 1925. The highly publicized trial pitted two of the greatest legal minds of the time against each other—Congressman and former Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan for the state and trial attorney Clarence Darrow for the defense.
After days of grueling and heated testimony, Darrowed requested that the jury return a guilty verdict so that the case could be appealed to the Tennessee Supreme Court. A year later, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on a technicality. But the case’s widespread publicity had great effect, and of the 15 states with anti-evolution legislation pending in 1925, only two states passed and enacted such laws.
Inherit the Wind, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee in 1950, bases its plot around the historical events of the Scopes Trial but changes the names of the characters. Darrow becomes Henry Drummond, Bryan becomes Matthew Harrison Brady and Scopes becomes Bertram Cates.
Ray Miller directs and choreographs the performances at ASU.
“It’s been great to be a part of [the Darwin Bicentennial Series],” Miller said.
The cast features Meredith Hunter as Drummond, Jordan Lance as Brady, Lindsay Laws as Mrs. Brady, Shanda Jacobs as the mayor, William Gwyn as Cates, Katie White as Rachel Brown, Brian Seagroves as E.K. Hornbeck (H.L. Mencken) and Kerry Dunlap as the judge.
In addition to the trial scenes, the cast will perform original theatre, Vaudeville, modern dance and hip hop on the subject of evolution. The pieces mix the historic Scopes Trial with references to more recent events, such as the debate over Intelligent Design. Megan Mabry is the dramaturg and has researched contextual material to incorporate into the performances.
“The conversation [about evolution] is still going on—it is not resolved,” Miller said.
Following each performance, a professor from various disciplines on campus will engage with the audience.
“A part of the function of the show is to encourage an audience talkback on the subject,” Miller said.
The shows will have minimal sets and props with more emphasis on costuming. April Miller is the costumer, Sean Plane is the lighting and sound designer, Erika Hogan is stage manager and Alex Genther is assistant stage manager.
Tickets are $4. For tickets or more info, call 828-262-3063.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday through Saturday, February 12 to 14 and 19 to 21
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: I.G. Greer Studio Theatre, ASU
Cost: $4
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