LTM’s “Inherit the Wind” a timeless tale based on America’s historic past

MANCHESTER — Creationism goes head to head with Darwinism in the classic tale based on a 1925 legal trial that pitted Bible against science, and also the rights of free speech, in “Inherit the Wind” a play from the 1950’s that still has meaning today.
The play is loosely based on the “Scopes Monkey Trial,” as journalist H.L. Mencken dubbed it.
The actual trial was held in Dayton, Tenn., where two renowned lawyers came to the small town to argue the case of a biology teacher, John Scopes, who taught Charles Darwin’s theory that man evolved from the ape.
The full biblical quote of “Inherit the Wind” is, “he that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.”
The play, through its protagonists, is focused on the right to think, and the freedom to draw one’s own conclusions, rather than take information at face value. It was written by Robert E. Lee and Jerome Lawrence partly as a reaction to the McCarthy trials.
In the Scopes trial, the famous attorney Clarence Darrow defends the part time biology teacher Scopes for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and three-time presidential candidate and Congressman William James Bryan was the prosecutor for the state, defending creationism. In the play Darrow is renamed Henry Drummond and Byran is Matthew Harrison Brady.
The excellent Charles Merlis plays lawyer for the defense, Drummond. First off, Merlis bears an uncanny resemblance to Spencer Tracy, who played the same role in the 1960 movie version of the play. Merlis’ Drummond hits all the right notes of the world-weary, angry, wise, frustrated, and appropriately bemused attorney.
Ken Adamson plays the Holy Roller self-aggrandizing politician Brady with fine bravado. He could have been nothing more than a pompous caricature, but Adamson gives him a humanity and pathos that makes him sympathetic and pitiable.
In one scene a minister, Rev. Jeremiah Brown, well played by Stephen Dombeck, humiliates his daughter, Rebecca, played with tearful sincerity by Trish Urso.
Rather than just stand by and allow the disgraceful spectacle to continue, Brady steps in and stops the bullying minister. That scene and the romance between Rebecca and the accused, Bertram Cates as John Scopes, played by Mark Musco, were not part of the original trial.
The journalist character, E.K. Hornbeck, based on Baltimore Sun newspaper reporter H.L. Mencken, is played by Michael Forgetta, who displays a searing sarcasm and sardonic wisdom that is spot on for the role.
Hornbeck is amusing when he tells Brady, “It is the duty of a newspaper to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.”
The dialog was a little choppy at times, but there was a lot of it, and it should improve as the actors gain confidence in this fine ensemble effort.
The simple set, with the town in the background and the witness stand in the foreground, by Fred T. Blish, is sturdy and functional, while the scratchy radio music that wafts in and out between acts, by Doug AmEnde, sets the 1920’s mood.
Lest you think creationism, or the literal, non-metaphorical interpretation of the Bible, has disappeared by now — think again. There are those who are absolutely convinced that the earth is no more than 6,000 years old, and the only reason dinosaurs are no longer on the earth is because they couldn’t fit onto Noah’s Ark.
“An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral,” Drummond says, while observing that “progress has never been a bargain.” He doesn’t attack people’s thoughts and views, but rather their right to think differently than others.
The Little Theatre of Manchester gives a respectable solid performance of the timeless American drama “Inherit the Wind.”

INHERIT THE WIND

Three Stars
Location: Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road, Manchester
Production: Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Directed by Sharon FitzHenry. Stage manager Paul Leone. Produced by Chuck Burns. Set design by Fred T. Blish. Sound design by Doug AmEnde. Lighting design by Jared Towler.
Running time: 2 hours, plus one 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Thursday, May 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. Sundays at 2 p.m., and through May 17.
Tickets: $16 — $23. Call the box office at 860-647-9824, or visit their website at www.cheneyhall.org
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Charles Merlis … Henry Drummond
Ken Adamson … Matthew Harrison Brady
Stephen Dombeck … Rev. Jeremiah Brown
Mark Musco … Bertram Cates
Nick Demetriades … Judge
Trish Urso … Rachel Brown
Michael Forgetta … E.K. Hornbeck
Sam Greene … Mayor
Jared R. Towler … Meeker
James Demetriades … Howard
Nancy Gatto … Mrs. Brady
Scott Dehart … Elijah
Ron Blanchette … Bannister
Jim Powers … Tom Davenport
Don DiGenova … Hurdy Gurdy man/Reporter
Scott Ironfield … Mr. Goodfellow
Cathy Topping … Mrs. Krebs
Philip Anthony … Dunlap
Doug Soyer … Sillers
Joanna Schiff … Mrs. Loomis
Alex Pazda … Hot dog man/Dr. Page
Darlene LaPointe … Mrs. Blair
Ron Gatto … Court reporter
Leo Reaves … Reuters man/Aaronson
Brain Courtemanche … Harry Y. Esterbrook
Jen Lysomirski … Dr. Ruth Keller
Catherine McElaney … Melinda
Victoria Dehart … Victoria
Alexandria Dehart … Alex McLain