"Inherit the Wind" at the Pasadena Playhouse in California emerges as a resonant and relevant production, artfully connecting its historical roots with contemporary issues. I had occasion to view it on December 1st. It was my first time at the theater.
Authored by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee in 1955, the play is set against the backdrop of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial and delves into themes of intellectual freedom and the conflict between science and religion. Its ongoing appeal is evidenced by various adaptations, underscoring its enduring significance in an era where debates over science and belief systems remain prevalent.
Michael Michetti's inspired direction contemporizes this classic without altering the script, employing modern costumes and a diverse cast to bridge the gap between the past and present. The set, designed by Brad Enlow, is minimal yet effective, with a stage adorned with office furniture and a wall marked by damages and cracks. This setup, along with audience placement in risers and a jury box, blurs the line between the historical and the current, making the play's messages strikingly relevant today.
Alfred Molina and John Douglas Thompson lead the cast with their remarkable performances. Molina, portraying the astute trial lawyer Henry Drummond, brings a magnetic intellectual force to his character, while Thompson's portrayal of prosecuting attorney Matthew Harrison Brady adds depth and nuance, evoking contemporary figures in his depiction. Supporting roles by Rachel Hilson and Abubakr Ali, among others, contribute to a strong ensemble cast that brings authenticity and conviction to their characters.
The production's technical aspects, including Omar Madkour's lighting and Jeff Gardner's sound design, play a crucial role in enhancing the dramatic tension and ensuring clarity of dialogue, thereby immersing the audience in the narrative.
The play's powerful ending leaves the audience pondering the complexities of moral and scientific dilemmas. Watching Molina's character weigh the Bible against Darwin's "The Origin of Species" as the lights fade is a particularly poignant moment, encapsulating the play's central themes and leaving a lasting impression.
The title is derived from the Book of Proverbs in the Bible, specifically Proverbs 11:29, which states: "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart." This proverb conveys the idea that those who cause conflict or trouble, especially within their own community or family, will gain nothing of value in return. In the context of the play, this quote is symbolic of the futile and destructive nature of stifling intellectual freedom and scientific understanding.
The play fictionalizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, which debated the legality of teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in schools, violating Tennessee's Butler Act. The trial pitted two legal titans against each other: Clarence Darrow, representing teacher John Scopes, and William Jennings Bryan, prosecuting. Bryan, a former presidential candidate, was a leading figure in the Christian fundamentalist movement, while Darrow was a famous defense attorney known for his agnostic views.
The narrative, while focused on a specific historical event, resonates with broader implications about societal values and the nature of truth. The Scopes Monkey Trial, formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes, was a landmark legal case in July 1925 that tested the law that prohibited the teaching of the theory of evolution in public schools.
The trial became a pivotal moment in the history of the United States, emblematic of the conflict between science and religion, intellectualism and traditional values. It occurred in Dayton, Tennessee, and was less about Scopes' guilt (he had admittedly taught evolution) and more a platform for a broader debate on science versus religion, academic freedom, and the role of education. The trial has also been criticized for being more of a media spectacle than a serious legal proceeding. It was a deliberately staged event, used by Dayton to gain publicity and by the ACLU to challenge the Butler Act.
The trial's outcome, while legally insignificant (Scopes was fined but later acquitted on a technicality), had a profound cultural impact. It polarized American society, with many viewing it as a contest between backward religiosity and modern science.
In summary, the Pasadena Playhouse's rendition of "Inherit the Wind" is a triumph of thoughtful direction, superb acting, and technical prowess, making it a must-see production that eloquently speaks to the enduring conflict between science and religion, as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago.