The right to think is on trial in a showdown of ideology when “Inherit the Wind” opens tonight at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.
The right to think is on trial in a showdown of ideology when “Inherit the Wind” opens tonight at Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu.
Based on the Scopes monkey trial of 1925, “Inherit the Wind” is a loosely-based re-telling of the infamous courtroom battle that resulted in the conviction of Tennessee high school teacher John Scope. Scope was arrested for reading a passage from Charles Darwin’s, “On the Origin of Species,” to his science students.
Scripted by playwrights Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the Aloha Performing Arts Company play, which runs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through May 1, debuted in 1955 as a rebuttal to criticize McCarthyism and the 1950s anticommunist persecutions. The playwrights declared their intentions to defend intellectual freedom and stated that the play wasn’t about science versus religion, but about the right to think.
“It’s a wonderful play about freedom of speech, tolerance, and respect for other people’s ideas and beliefs,” said Director Karen Barry. “Although it’s about a high school teacher who taught evolution in his class, and was subsequently arrested, it’s really about so much more than that. It’s about the right to think and speak your truth.”
The debate over the teaching of evolution and religion in public schools is probably more heated today than when the play originally ran, but “Inherit the Wind” is less a debate on evolution, and more of a statement on freed thinking and freedom of speech.
“It’s very timely with what’s going on in the world today,” said Barry. “As human beings we like to believe we’ve learned and grown, but we’re still fighting some of these same battles.”
The play has survived several revivals over half a century, giving testament to its timeless, well-written dialogue, and intellectually stimulating themes.
“Everybody loves a good courtroom drama and that’s what this is,” said Barry. “This is a family friendly production and a great show for the kids because of the historical significance. There’s something for everyone. There are humorous moments, and there are poignant moments. The audience will have a chance to think, yet be wonderfully entertained.”
Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Ticket prices are adults $22; seniors/young adults $20; and children $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 322-9924 or visit www.apachawaii.com. ■
Meet the cast
Marshall Gluskin as attorney Henry Drummon; Dan Hoff as prosecuting attorney Matthew Harrison Brady; Victor Lugo as the defendant, Bertram Cates; David Fero as the Reverend Brown; Rachel Edwards as Brown’s daughter, Rachel Brown; John Sucke as judge; Allen Eggleston as Mr. Meeker; Brian Berry as Tom Davenport; Don Chinery as the Mayor; Laura Ruth as Mrs. Brady; Renee Monell as Mrs. Krebs; David Anderson as Elijah; Vincent Hicks as Howard; Minami Asbjornson as Melinda; Alex Monell as Mr. Goodfellow; Robert Dewerth as Mr. Bannister; Paula Cornwell as Mrs. McClain; Pamela Hicks as Mrs. Blair; Darryl Baker as Mr. Dunlap; Miles Lugo as Mr. Sillers; Ernie Gianotti as the Hurdy Gurdy Man; Lani Lee as Mrs. Bollinger; Anne Rudd as Mrs. Loomis; and Brian Asbjornson and Bill Cottle as reporters. Martin Dwyer provides commentary on the proceedings as E. K. Hornbeck, reporter and critic.