Published: Sunday, March 11, 2007
TNT heats up stage with 'Inherit the Wind'
The actors portraying the attorneys do a brilliant job.
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES — When the endless tug-of-war between religion and science flares up in court, it makes for heated debate.
But, as the classic courtroom drama "Inherit the Wind" proves, the real issue is freedom of thought and speech.
The provocative play opened Friday at Trumbull New Theatre. Directed by Debra Nuhfer, it has a massive cast of 34.
"Inherit The Wind" doesn't name names, but is considered a dramatized account of the 1925 John T. Scopes trial, in which a Tennessee teacher was convicted for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution to his science class, contrary to a state law that mandated the teaching of creationism.
The courtroom battle in TNT's version is heated, literally and figuratively. The action takes place during a hot summer, and all the brow-mopping and fanning adds to the hot-seat scenario.
Tim McGinley brilliantly plays defense attorney Henry Drummond, or the devil, as some of the fanatically religious townsfolk dub him. Drummond's hulking, dark figure does initially seem threatening, but the audience is given a glimpse of his true character at the end of the play. McGinley emphasizes the sharp wit and intelligence of Drummond, whose character corresponds to late Kinsman native Clarence Darrow in the Scopes trial.
Jerry Kruse gives a splendid performance as Bible-thumping prosecuting attorney Matthew Harrison Brady, the William Jennings Bryan parallel in the actual Scopes trial. Kruse's Brady is self-assured and smug, confident of victory.
Keeping audience interested
The attorneys are an even match for each other, and the battle between them in the second act had audience members anxiously leaning forward in their seats.
Chief supporting players include Cleric Costes as Bertram Cates, the young, nervous and unsure schoolteacher on trial; Tom DeNicholas as E.J. Hornbeck, the sardonic, wise-cracking journalist; Amanda Volk as Rachel Brown, the minister's daughter and Cates' love interest; and Bill Johnson as Rachel's father, the town's fire-and-brimstone preaching minister.
The set and costumes place the action in the 1920s. A simple backdrop of small town storefronts frames a courtroom setting.
Playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee wrote "Inherit The Wind" as a commentary on governmental interference with basic human freedoms during the McCarthy era.
The title of the play is taken from a Bible verse from Proverbs 11:29: "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind."
"Inherit The Wind" will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and March 23 and 24 and at 3 p.m. March 25 at Trumbull New Theatre in Niles. Call (330) 652-1103 for tickets.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
The actors portraying the attorneys do a brilliant job.
By TRACEY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NILES — When the endless tug-of-war between religion and science flares up in court, it makes for heated debate.
But, as the classic courtroom drama "Inherit the Wind" proves, the real issue is freedom of thought and speech.
The provocative play opened Friday at Trumbull New Theatre. Directed by Debra Nuhfer, it has a massive cast of 34.
"Inherit The Wind" doesn't name names, but is considered a dramatized account of the 1925 John T. Scopes trial, in which a Tennessee teacher was convicted for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution to his science class, contrary to a state law that mandated the teaching of creationism.
The courtroom battle in TNT's version is heated, literally and figuratively. The action takes place during a hot summer, and all the brow-mopping and fanning adds to the hot-seat scenario.
Tim McGinley brilliantly plays defense attorney Henry Drummond, or the devil, as some of the fanatically religious townsfolk dub him. Drummond's hulking, dark figure does initially seem threatening, but the audience is given a glimpse of his true character at the end of the play. McGinley emphasizes the sharp wit and intelligence of Drummond, whose character corresponds to late Kinsman native Clarence Darrow in the Scopes trial.
Jerry Kruse gives a splendid performance as Bible-thumping prosecuting attorney Matthew Harrison Brady, the William Jennings Bryan parallel in the actual Scopes trial. Kruse's Brady is self-assured and smug, confident of victory.
Keeping audience interested
The attorneys are an even match for each other, and the battle between them in the second act had audience members anxiously leaning forward in their seats.
Chief supporting players include Cleric Costes as Bertram Cates, the young, nervous and unsure schoolteacher on trial; Tom DeNicholas as E.J. Hornbeck, the sardonic, wise-cracking journalist; Amanda Volk as Rachel Brown, the minister's daughter and Cates' love interest; and Bill Johnson as Rachel's father, the town's fire-and-brimstone preaching minister.
The set and costumes place the action in the 1920s. A simple backdrop of small town storefronts frames a courtroom setting.
Playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee wrote "Inherit The Wind" as a commentary on governmental interference with basic human freedoms during the McCarthy era.
The title of the play is taken from a Bible verse from Proverbs 11:29: "He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind."
"Inherit The Wind" will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and March 23 and 24 and at 3 p.m. March 25 at Trumbull New Theatre in Niles. Call (330) 652-1103 for tickets.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
When the endless tug-of-war between religion and science flares up in court, it makes for heated debate.
But, as the...
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