Inherit The Wind
The phrase "inherit the wind" is found in the Bible in Proverbs 11:29. It symbolizes that an individual who behaves selfishly and foolishly will ultimately gain nothing but will instead be relegated to a position of servitude within their own household. Goodman Theatre proudly presents the timeless play that once captivated audiences with the remarkable performances of Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. Titled "The Most Dramatic Battle of the Century," this production received widespread acclaim on a global scale. The central theme explored in Inherit the Wind is freedom of thought. The character Bertram Cates, much like the original presumed lawbreaker, John Thomas Scopes, is arrested for defying the Butler Law and teaching Darwin's theory of evolution—a Tennessee law restricting such teaching in public schools. The 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial," a name given to the trial because religious supporters misunderstood Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, that humans descended from monkeys, was broadcast by WGN, which attracted nationwide publicity to a town and a man who wasn't even sure he was teaching about evolution but believed in the freedom of individual thought. The uproar came when Darwin published "The Descent of Man" in 1871, proposing that humans and apes share a common ancestor. Darwin's theory of evolution does not propose that humans directly descended from apes. Instead, it suggests that all sophisticated organisms have evolved from simpler life forms through genetic mutations. Henry Drummond, who believed that the one holy thing was the individual human mind, defended Cates. He argued that fundamentalist thought is not necessarily wrong but rather the importance of allowing Darwin's ideas regarding evolution theory to coexist with religion so that individuals can make well-informed decisions. Perspectives on religion and evolution, as well as the identification of the protagonist and antagonist, are heavily influenced by whether an individual is a believer or a non-believer. Still, the state of Tennessee wanted to set a precedent that God is the only creator and that His word is holy and supreme and above the thoughts of humanity. Matthew Harrison Brady (a caricature of the real-life prosecutor William Jennings Bryan) was deemed their anointed savior of the word and was brought to the town to defend them against the wayward and agnostic lad. Henry Drummond, patterned after Clarence Darrow—the attorney known for working on the Leopold and Loeb murder trial and the Scopes "monkey" trial, believed that the one holy thing was the individual human mind and decided to defend Cates. He argued that fundamentalist thought is not necessarily wrong but rather the importance of allowing Darwin's ideas regarding evolution theory to coexist with religion so that individuals can make well-informed decisions.
All eyes are on a small town in Tennessee, and pressure mounts as Drummond, having been denied his scientific witnesses, decides to call Brady to the stand. A riveting exchange follows, with Brady initially welcoming the challenge but eventually succumbing to Drummond's relentless questioning. After intense interrogation, Brady becomes increasingly flustered and ultimately forced to confess that specific Biblical passages may have not been literal. In a dramatic turn of events, Brady loses control, leading to the abrupt adjournment of the court proceedings. When the verdict was announced, Cates was found guilty. The original trial lasted only eight days, and the jury returned a guilty verdict in less than nine minutes. Amidst mounting national pressure to conclude the trial without imposing an unduly harsh penalty on John Scopes, he was ultimately fined $100. On July 26, 1925, five days after defending Scopes in the famous trial, the real-life Bryan sadly passed away at 65. His passing occurred shortly after the conclusion of the trial. In real life, Bryan was considered more of a Day-age creationist who questioned whether a day in the Book of Genesis was literally a 24-hour day or perhaps longer—aptly discussed in the play, connecting the audience to this significant historical event. Harry Lennix, a proud native of Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, spent his formative years attending Catholic school and serving as an altar boy. His early aspirations led him to attend a seminary in high school to become a priest. However, he ultimately found his calling in acting, embarking on a successful career over 40 years. Alexander Gemignani delivered an outstanding portrayal of Matthew Harrison Brady, a prominent politician who made three unsuccessful attempts to secure the presidency of the United States. Brady was regarded as a captivating speaker, a staunch advocate of traditional beliefs, and a prominent figure in the campaign against the concept of evolution. When we discovered that the Butler Law was being contested, he willingly stepped forward to act as the prosecutor for the defendant, Cates. Gemignani's characterization of Brady, who advocated for the "Living Truth of the Scriptures," was provocative and enthralling.
While Goodman's Inherit the Wind may not have reached the fiery intensity of Tracey and March, Lennix and Gemignani's performances were undeniably powerful, drawing the audience into the historical events surrounding this true-life drama. In the play, I had hoped that Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee would have provided more material around the trial, giving Lennix and Gemignani more opportunities to engage in a lively debate on religion versus evolution. Both actors seemed capable of passionately delving into this complex and thought-provoking issue. Another excellent performance came from Mi Kang, who was irresistibly outstanding as E.K. Hornbeck, a contemptuous and ignorant character similar to the original newspaper columnist. Kang's sinister and menacing attitude, as he belittled the residents of Hillsboro for their staunch fundamentalist beliefs and their close-minded perspectives on evolution, was utterly captivating. We also had a wonderful time conversing with understudy Chase Clevenger, who I foresee as the upcoming young star in the theatrical industry. Keep shining, Chase. The entire cast, featuring William Dick, Charin Alvarez, Ryan Kitley, Kevin Gudahl, Thomas Murphy Molony, the velvet voice of Lawrence Grinn, as WGN radio host, made Inherit the Wind a truly entertaining theatrical performance. The set design by Collette Pollard was genuinely exceptional, showcasing the town within an intricate overhead, circular globe. It was a remarkable and visually stunning feature of the production. I found it refreshing to witness this historical event. However, as a preacher, I couldn't help but notice Reverend Jeremiah Brown's fanatical views regarding religion. His views seem to deviate from the teachings of the Bible, which emphasizes the concept of Free Will for all of God's children. It's troubling to see history repeating itself, with similar fanatical views influencing our election process today.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
Inherit The Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert Lee
Directed by Henry Godinez
Play Now - October 20. 2024
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