Goodman Theatre presents INHERIT THE WIND.
In 1925, a schoolteacher taught his students that humans evolved from apes. This notion contrasted with their parents’ and their town’s belief that God created the world in seven days. John T. Scopes’ lesson landed him on trial. In 1955, Playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee debuted their play based on the actual events of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial which caught national attention as a fundamentalist attorney clashed with the defense attorney. Although the content hints at our own conservative vs liberal political turmoil, the courtroom drama loses some of its drama with the evolution of time.
On the stunning set by Designer Collette Pollard, a minimalist wooden circular stage is crowned by a small town diorama. The vibe is immediately established as simplistic. Even though Director Henry Godinez will move furniture in and out to establish location, the set is basically a courtroom where justice is served. Early in the show, a banner will be strung across the stage with big letters saying: READ YOUR BIBLE. The sign is a big sign of what’s to come. Impartiality be damned in a small town with a big church-going community!
The crime is all about the teacher. The show is really about the attorneys played by veteran actors Harry Lennix and Alexander Gemignani. Despite a lack of intensity from the dated subject matter, Lennix and Gemignani spar with gusto. Lennix plays the smooth-talker delivering witty one liners. Conversely, Gemignani embraces his inner evangelist and pontificates with bluster. Their exchanges, if somewhat pedestrian, are certainly entertaining. As is Mi Kang playing a wisecracking reporter. Looming on the outskirts as an observer, Kang delights as she gives her no nonsense account to the proceedings. And nod out to Chicago’s very own WGN Radio that actually made American history as the first live broadcast trial in 1925. Lawrence Grimm hilariously plays the radio reporter having technical difficulties.
INHERIT THE WIND is an interesting snippet of history in the evolution of thought since evolution is now widely accepted. Even though church vs state continues to be gut-wrenching, heated discourse… spurred by fanatics, INHERIT THE WIND is a pleasant return to simpler times and civil debates.
Running Time: Two hours and fifteen minutes includes an intermission
At Goodman Theatre,170 N. Dearborn
Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee
Directed by Henry Godinez
Performances are:
Wednesdays,Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30pm
Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 2pm
EXTENDED thru October 20
For more information or tickets
Photography by Liz Lauren
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