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ENLARGE
RICHARD PACKHAM
Theater Review
Theater Review
Can a sensational trial of eight decades ago still be relevant today as the basis for a drama?
Absolutely, if the trial was the famous Scopes "monkey" trial of the 1920s, where a high school teacher in Tennessee was tried for violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
Rather than settling the matter at the time, that conflict between Bible believers and believers in evolution has actually intensified since then, with continuing attempts by both sides to influence what is taught (or rather, what is not taught) in the public schools.
Umpqua Actors Community Theatre is therefore quite timely with its current stage offering of "Inherit The Wind" by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. "Inherit" is not, however, a historical representation of that epic trial, but rather a somewhat loose dramatization.
The names of all characters, as well as the towns, have been changed, although there is no doubt about which historical figure each of the main characters is intended to represent.
In fact, the program notes and the historical display in the theater lobby show photographs of the town and the famous participants in the original trial: attorney Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan (frequent candidate for the U.S. presidency and famous orator), and newspaperman H. L. Mencken, muckraking columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
And that is one of my complaints about the script, that it takes too many liberties with history, as well as with standard trial procedure, in order to get dramatic effect. The play also comes down firmly on the side of Darwinism, portraying the Bible supporters as loony simpletons, and turning the famous orator and politician into a babbling idiot at the end.
One could understand such a biased treatment on topics where we all pretty much agree, such as the persecution of Jews by the Nazis, as depicted in Umpqua Community College's recent "Diary of Anne Frank." But the issue of evolution versus creationism (or "intelligent design," as it is now known) is a matter on which -- as lawyers put it -- reasonable people may differ.
Absolutely, if the trial was the famous Scopes "monkey" trial of the 1920s, where a high school teacher in Tennessee was tried for violating a state law against the teaching of evolution.
Rather than settling the matter at the time, that conflict between Bible believers and believers in evolution has actually intensified since then, with continuing attempts by both sides to influence what is taught (or rather, what is not taught) in the public schools.
Umpqua Actors Community Theatre is therefore quite timely with its current stage offering of "Inherit The Wind" by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. "Inherit" is not, however, a historical representation of that epic trial, but rather a somewhat loose dramatization.
The names of all characters, as well as the towns, have been changed, although there is no doubt about which historical figure each of the main characters is intended to represent.
In fact, the program notes and the historical display in the theater lobby show photographs of the town and the famous participants in the original trial: attorney Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan (frequent candidate for the U.S. presidency and famous orator), and newspaperman H. L. Mencken, muckraking columnist for the Baltimore Sun.
And that is one of my complaints about the script, that it takes too many liberties with history, as well as with standard trial procedure, in order to get dramatic effect. The play also comes down firmly on the side of Darwinism, portraying the Bible supporters as loony simpletons, and turning the famous orator and politician into a babbling idiot at the end.
One could understand such a biased treatment on topics where we all pretty much agree, such as the persecution of Jews by the Nazis, as depicted in Umpqua Community College's recent "Diary of Anne Frank." But the issue of evolution versus creationism (or "intelligent design," as it is now known) is a matter on which -- as lawyers put it -- reasonable people may differ.
Perhaps the anti-Bible tone of the play is intended as a balance for some of the recent very pro-Bible productions at UACT, such as "Godspell" and "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
"Inherit" has been produced frequently in the 50 years since it was written, with several Broadway incarnations and as many film versions, usually with high-power actors in the main roles. And this is not Roseburg's first opportunity to see the play -- UACT produced it successfully once before.
The present production gives us some fine performances in the principal roles. Daniel Robertson (a lawyer in real life) as the defense attorney is solid and convincing. Fred Smith is faultless as the devout, grandfatherly prosecuting attorney. David Tishendorf as the cynical city reporter -- a sort of Mephistophelian Greek chorus -- gives his witty commentary with verve and spirit, although sometimes his enunciation made some of his lines difficult to understand. Ken Ellis as the fire-and-brimstone preacher plays his part to the hilt.
It is always amazing to see how UACT is able to present plays with large casts and even crowd scenes on the tiny stage of the Betty Long Unruh theater. But they do it frequently and well.
The supporting cast of townspeople and other minor characters under the direction of Penny Lapham easily gives us the impression of much larger crowds.
In a few of the smaller roles there was some rather stilted or overplayed acting, but it was not distracting.
The set is starkly simple, with only a few tables and chairs. Costumes by Susan Blanchard of Alter Egos recall the 1920s of the original Scopes trial, although the program dates the action as "not too long ago." Perhaps that is not a contradiction, but an emphasis on the timelessness of the theme.
All in all, a fine show, entertaining and thought-provoking.
Richard Packham of Dixonville is a retired college professor active in local community theater for many years who writes theater reviews for The News-Review.
"Inherit" has been produced frequently in the 50 years since it was written, with several Broadway incarnations and as many film versions, usually with high-power actors in the main roles. And this is not Roseburg's first opportunity to see the play -- UACT produced it successfully once before.
The present production gives us some fine performances in the principal roles. Daniel Robertson (a lawyer in real life) as the defense attorney is solid and convincing. Fred Smith is faultless as the devout, grandfatherly prosecuting attorney. David Tishendorf as the cynical city reporter -- a sort of Mephistophelian Greek chorus -- gives his witty commentary with verve and spirit, although sometimes his enunciation made some of his lines difficult to understand. Ken Ellis as the fire-and-brimstone preacher plays his part to the hilt.
It is always amazing to see how UACT is able to present plays with large casts and even crowd scenes on the tiny stage of the Betty Long Unruh theater. But they do it frequently and well.
The supporting cast of townspeople and other minor characters under the direction of Penny Lapham easily gives us the impression of much larger crowds.
In a few of the smaller roles there was some rather stilted or overplayed acting, but it was not distracting.
The set is starkly simple, with only a few tables and chairs. Costumes by Susan Blanchard of Alter Egos recall the 1920s of the original Scopes trial, although the program dates the action as "not too long ago." Perhaps that is not a contradiction, but an emphasis on the timelessness of the theme.
All in all, a fine show, entertaining and thought-provoking.
Richard Packham of Dixonville is a retired college professor active in local community theater for many years who writes theater reviews for The News-Review.
IF YOU GO ...
<b>WHAT:</b> Umpqua Actors Community Theatre’s new production “Inherit the Wind” is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes monkey trial that pitted creationism against evolutionism.
<b>WHERE:</b> Betty Long Unruh Theatre, Fir Grove Section, 1614 W. Harvard Ave., Roseburg <b>WHEN:</b> 7:30 p.m. June 23, 24 and 30 and July 1, 7 and 8 and at 2 p.m. today, June 25 and July 2 and 9 <b>ADMISSION:</b> Tickets cost $9 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Tickets may be purchased at While Away Books, Hanson Jewelers and the UACT Box Office. <b>INFORMATION:</b> 673-2125 |
