Freedom of Thought

Inherit the Wind

Almost 100 years ago the famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial took place in rural Tennessee. The courtroom case charged John Scopes, a high school teacher, with the crime of violating a state law that prohibited the teaching of Darwin’s theory of evolution in the classroom. The publicity of the Scopes Trial was overwhelming. The event attracted so much national publicity, that it prompted dozens of reporters from all over the country to descend upon tiny Dayton, Tennessee. Then the Trial was broadcast on radio, which was a new invention in 1925. Chicago’s WGN transmitted the proceedings making it the first time the media had turned a trial into a national event. Suddenly history was being made.  

The national attention of the Scopes Trial focused on its debate between religious fundamentalism versus evolution, particularly focusing on an individual’s freedom of thought. In addition, the prosecutor assigned to the case was famed orator and conservative politician, William Jennings Bryan. John Scopes’ innocence, however, would be defended by nationally noted attorney, Clarence Darrow. He’d gained national attention, among his many cases, for defending the notorious Leopold and Loeb murder case.

Thirty years after the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee wrote a fictionalized account of the event. The play, set in fictional Hillsboro, was their criticism of McCarthyism, the Red Scare and the subsequent trials that gave rise to political repression and the persecution of left-wing individuals. In this fabricated version, John Scopes would be mild-mannered teacher, Bertram Cates; prosecutor William Jennings Bryan would become Matthew Harrison Brady; and famous defense attorney Clarence Darrow would resemble the play’s charismatic, Henry Drummond. The outspoken reporter from the fictional Baltimore Herald, E.K. Hornbeck, is modeled after famed journalist H.L. Mencken (although in this production the character’s beautifully played by actress, Mi Kang).

Theatergoers might wonder why the Goodman Theatre’s producing a play from 1955. But with our current national political race in full swing, this play couldn’t be more relevant today. It deals with questioning facts, censoring knowledge and attempting to force religion into the American educational and judicial systems. As in 1925, there are opposing groups expounding very different goals for Americans. There’s ultra-conservative views presented by one pair of candidates, while the opposition strongly supports the freedom of all people being allowed to think for themselves. The result is a play that feels contemporary and offers a lighthearted story that’s based upon a moment in history.

Certainly credit for such an enjoyable evening of theatre must go to the playwrights for their well-written script, but Resident Director Henry Godinez is the genius who’s guided, refocused and added his own touches to create this awesome presentation. Known for his recent Goodman production of AMERICAN MARIACHI, and Marriott’s wonderful BIG FISH, Mr. Godinez has directed another excellent play that’s entertaining, educational and accessible. 

Collette Pollard’s uncluttered, uncomplicated Set Design features a colorful circular street of quaint buildings suspended above high the stage, a detailed wooden floor for the courtroom and a ramp that metaphorically bridges the past with the present, the 1925 story onstage and the 21st century audience. This environment for INHERIT THE WIND is finely illuminated by Jason Lynch’s Lighting Design, while Richard Woodbury’s Original Music and Sound Design washes an audible patina of Americana over the production. And the good folks and guests of small town Hillsboro, are authentically dressed in 1925 styles that reflect their social stature, thanks to Costume Designer Jessica Pabst.

Mr. Godinez’s cast is excellent, from nationally known names to the more modest. The talented Alexander Gemignani, known primarily for his stellar Broadway performances in such shows as CAROUSEL, LES MISERABLES and SWEENEY TODD, recently appeared at the Marriott in their production of BIG FISH. Here he stars as Matthew Harrison Brady, the famed, conservative, Bible thumping prosecutor who’s out to prove that an innocent school teacher is guilty of broadening his students’ minds with science. Known to most theatergoers for his ten seasons on NBC’s “The Blacklist,” as well as from many film roles, Harry Lennix superbly takes the role of the nationally known defender, Henry Drummond, and runs with it. Recently starring in Steppenwolf’s exceptional production of PURPOSE, Mr. Lennix returns to the Goodman after appearing in several plays by August Wilson. The fireworks and friendship between these two characters is the result of great casting and direction.

The nineteen-member cast of supporting characters features performances by some exceptionally gifted actors. Bertram Cates is nicely portrayed with decency and decorum by Christopher Llewyn Ramirez. Her loyalties torn between a love for fellow teacher, Bert Cates, and her strictly religious father (Reverend Jeremiah Brown, played with passion by Ryan Kitley), Rachel Brown, is played with earnest affection and passion by Tyler Meredith. 

Mrs. Brady, Matthew Brady’s loving and supportive wife, is played with grace by Charin Alvarez. The Judge, whose subtle sympathies lie with the Reverend’s views, is powerfully portrayed by the always reliable Kevin Gudahl; and the Mayor is given a humous bent by the talented William Dick. Tom Davenport, the local district attorney, is played with unbridled conviction by Christopher Kale Jones. And, as an ASL student, I particularly enjoyed seeing gifted, hearing-impaired actor, Robert Schleifer’s return to the Goodman stage, as the kind, empathetic bailiff, Mr. Meeker.

Henry Godinez’s entertaining and enlightening production of this American classic, breathes new life into Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s fictional dramatic treatment based upon the Scopes Trial. It’s a play, liberally laced with levity, that, despite being about a newsworthy event from 1925, is as relevant today as when the Trial took place. The story supports our freedom to think whatever we wish. Unlike the claims and demands made by certain controversial political pundits, whose “fake news” contradicts proven scientific facts and historical events, no one should be denied the freedom of thought.                            

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented September 14-October 20 by the Goodman in the Albert Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago.

Tickets are available in person at the Goodman box office, by calling 312-443-3800 or by going to www.GoodmanTheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.