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Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Directed by Jessica Thebus
At Northlight Theatre
9501 N. Skokie Blvd
Skokie, IL
Call847-673-6300, tickets $34 - $56
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM (except Oct 24 & 31)
Wednesdays at 1 PM on Oct 18, Nov 1 & 8 only and 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 3 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 15 minutes with intermission
Through November 12, 2006
Still relevant Inherit the Wind carries a stern warning
Northlight Theatre has mounted a strong warning against suffocating free thinking with religious dogma with Inherit the Wind, a 1955 drama penned by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Many will remember the 1960 film with Spencer Tracy, Fredric Marsh and Gene Kelly that drew from the famous 1924 Scopes trial in Tennessee concerning the teaching of evolution in the public schools. National figures Clarence Darrow, a civil liberties attorney and William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist Christian and populist three time Democratic Presidential candidate argued the case that pitted fundamental Christian believes versus pure science. Today’s version pits evolution versus “Intelligent Design.” History does repeat.
Filled with terrific performances by the commanding stage presence of the booming-voiced veteran actor Tony Mokus as Brady (the Bryan figure) and Scott Jaeck’s laid back but powerful civil rights lawyer Drummond (aka Darrow), this production of Inherit the Wind is a moving and striking court room drama. The debate between Mokus’ Brady and Jaeck’s Drummond are riveting as Mokus maintains his character’s immense charisma and likeability while his outdated narrow beliefs are destroyed by Jaeck’s Drummond. This is a marvelously written work that hits the difference between the free thinking scientist and the narrow minded bigotry of the fundamentalist Christians. The play is fictionalized version of the actual trial in 1924.
This interesting show features strong supporting work from Fran Guinan as the local preacher and from Joe Demsey as the cynical newspaper reporter. Inherit the Wind is a cautionary tale reminding us to be vigilant in protecting out freedom of thought in a time of religious fanaticism. As theatre, Northlight’s production is well played and paced to underscore the dramatic power of the court room drama. This is an idea play filled with remarkable characters played to the hilt.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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