“It takes a smart fellow to say he doesn’t know the answer”
Attorney Henry Drummond- 'Inherit the Wind'
The Goodman Theatre's production of "Inherit the Wind," written by the same duo who brought us "Auntie Mame" (Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee), expertly directed by Henry Godinez, offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the clash between religion and science.
National figures Clarence Darrow, a civil liberties attorney and founder of the ACLU, and William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist Christian and populist three-time Democratic Presidential candidate, argued the famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial in 1925.
This fictionalized account, a legal battle over the teaching of evolution in American public schools, remains as relevant today as when the trial happened in 1925. It reflects the ongoing "culture wars" playing out today, particularly around education. The play's trial centers on the right to teach evolution, a debate that has echoed into modern fights over what can and should be taught in American schools.
In 2024, school boards and state legislatures are hotbeds of conflict, with debates over the teaching of history, race, gender, and even basic scientific principles. Across the country, there are movements to ban books, restrict what educators can discuss, and roll back curriculums deemed "woke" or politically incorrect. The themes of "Inherit the Wind" – the right to free thought, academic freedom, and the importance of challenging societal norms – feel eerily timely as education becomes a battleground in this year's election.
Alexander Gemignani delivers a tour-de-force performance as Matthew Harrison Brady, the charismatic and deeply religious prosecutor. Gemignani captures Brady's unwavering faith and his conviction that the Bible is the ultimate source of truth. His portrayal is not simply a blowhard preacher clinging to outdated values, but a man genuinely trying to protect his worldview in a rapidly changing society. His performance is both commanding and sympathetic, allowing audiences to understand the man's genuine belief in his cause.
Harry Lennix, as the defense attorney Henry Drummond, is equally impressive. Lennix portrays Drummond as a complex figure, a man who values both reason and compassion. His performance is marked by intelligence, wit, and a deep respect for the law. Lennix's Drummond becomes more than a cynical intellectual—he is a defender of the individual’s right to think, to question, and to change. In Lennix’s hands Drummond is a compelling character who challenges audiences to consider the importance of critical thinking and the dangers of censorship, a joy to watch.
The supporting cast is exceptional. Mi Kang delivers a memorable performance as E.K. Hornbeck, a cynical and opportunistic reporter who views the trial as nothing more than a spectacle. Christopher Llewyn Ramirez is heartbreaking as Bertram Cates, the young schoolteacher at the center of a national controversy. Robert Schleifer is poignant as Meeker, a deaf actor who was truly engaging, and Presley Rose Jones is charming and insightful as Melinda, a young woman who falls in love with Cates. The contemporary casting choices make this production particularly moving.
Collette Pollard's set design is a marvel. The set, a myopic bird’s eye view of a small town, a place where everyone knows everyone else and where secrets are hard to keep. Pollard's use of perspective creates a sense of claustrophobia, suggesting that the characters are trapped in a world that is both familiar and stifling. The floor of the courtroom suggesting uniformity and order
In many ways, Inherit the Wind is a powerful allegory for the struggles America faces in 2024. As the nation heads into a pivotal presidential election, the play’s themes of free thought, the conflict between science and belief, and the influence of populism and religion on politics provide a rich framework for understanding the stakes of this moment in history. The questions it raises—about who controls knowledge, who gets to speak, and how we balance faith with reason—are the very questions that are being asked on debate stages and in polling booths across the country today.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
When: Through Oct. 20
Where: Goodman Theatre 170 N. Dearborn
Tickets: $30 - $45
