Inherit the Wind is a play written in 1955 about an actual trial which challenged teaching Darwinism in schools. Famously known as the “Scopes Monkey Trial,” (the defendant was John T. Scopes who was on trial for teaching Darwinism in school), the message of the play is as vibrant and important today as it was nearly 100 years ago at the time of the famous trial. The original trial pitted famed lawyer Clarence Darrow against failed and perennial presidential candidate Williams Jenning Bryan. Here characters based on this story are fabulously portrayed by Chicago’s Very Own Harry Lennox (from TV’s “Blackllist,” and many stage roles here in Chicago) and Alexander Gemignani (a well known Broadway performer) who plays the character based on Bryan. Also joining in the  conversation is the visionary director Henry Godinez who discusses why the play was selected for these times.

A really interesting look at character portrayal, and the power of the play.

Inherit the Wind plays only thru October 20th at The Goodman Theatre and tickets for this hot show can be purchased at: www.GoodmanTheatre.org.

Review: Inherit the Wind

By Paul Lisnek, “Behind the Curtain,” WGNRadio.com

Inherit the Wind will Blow you Over!

****/4

I was not sure what to expect in this production of Inherit the Wind. Would it seem dated? Would it hold relevance? The answer is that this production is very much necessary in today’s climate with a relevance that will make it clear that it’s themes of a century ago resonate as strongly today in their modern incarnation over free speech and religious fanaticism.

Skilled Director Henry Godinez envisioned the stage setting that is jaw dropping from the beautiful woodworked ceiling, to the bridge that carries the actors out into the audience and therefore puts the audience into the action. Indeed, it becomes clear that we are the jury to judge what we see play out before us. Kudos to Goodman artistic director Susan Booth for allowing the major re-structuring of the performance space which required several seats to be removed for the production; it’s a move well worth the effort and cost.

So we, the audience and jury are asked to deal with the play’s and history’s central question: Bible vs. Darwin. What could seem dated is in reality a reflection of similar arguments that go on daily, not in a courtroom necessarily, but in our cultural existence. Current calls for Freedom of Speech and our right to speak our minds means this story is applicable directly  on our lives today. Godinez knows this and so he made us part of his staging. Brilliant.

Harry Lennix in the role of Henry Drummond (historically, this is legendary defense lawyer Clarence Darrow also known for the Leopold and Loeb case) connects with the audience (jury) as the great Darrow was known to do. Lennix channels Darrow’s charm and charisma which explained Darrow’s and now Lennix’s legendary success as a trial lawyer and performer.

Alexander Gemignani as Matthew Harrison Brady(historically this was Williams Jennings Bryan) is superb in playing the once 3 time Presidential candidate who never won the presidential torch, but is known in history as the father of banning the teaching of evolution in public schools. Sound familiar? It should.

And so it’s an historical trial….it’s a reflection of today…and it puts us all in the center of it. Bravo Godinez! And bravo to the amazing cast led by two irreplaceable leads: Lennox and Gemignani.