Inherit the Wind

A new production of "Inherit the Wind" opened on Broadway this week and Don and I went last night. The timing is perfect for this play - as our country increasingly is involved in a debate between rational science and fundamentalism, and this debate makes its way into our state legislatures and our schools (where it surely does not belong!), it is good to be reminded that this is a fight we had (and won) some 80 years ago. As the Clarence Darrow figure says to the defendant right after he is convicted by the jury, "You don't think this is over, do you?" I guess not.

Anyway, as a lover of theater, it was great to be at a play. The cast was led by the redoubtable Christopher Plummer as Henry Drummond (for the defense) and Brian Dennehy as the fundamentalist Matthew Brady (for the prosecution). Plummer was outstanding, in total command of the stage and of his role. Dennehy, who I think is a wonderful actor, unfortunately missed it, with a performance that lacked the fire and passion of the fundamentalist and failed to be the dramatic foil to Plummer that the role really demands for a crackling performance. The staging was well-done, with audience members seated as if in the courtroom ( a nice touch I thought, although I declined the option when I bought our tickets, thinking it might be hot under the lights) and a wonderful gospel quartet. The jewel-box of a theater (the Lyceum) gave an intimacy to the production that served to draw one in to the debate. Other performances I admired were the cynical reporter (pseudo-H.L. Mencken) played by Denis O'Hare and the fundamentalist minister played by Byron Jennings. Actually, it would be interesting to see these two in the main roles, considering the skill with which they played their 'seconds'.

The Times review was fairly critical. But I definitely say its a play worth seeing for both the performances as well as the topical content. And to see Christopher Plummer one more time in his element!