Inherit the Wind Provokes Thoughts

All An Act Theatre is bringing Inherit the Wind, Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee's thought-provoking play back to the stage starting August 21.

Set in an unidentified southern town, Inherit is a fictionalized account of the famed 1925 Scopes Trial in which a teacher is put on trial for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in a science class, something then illegal under state law.

"This isn't something that just happened long ago," says director KC McCloskey. "It relates to things going on today. We're still fighting for the rights of all human beings to think freely."

To reflect what she feels the play symbolizes, McCloskey designed the set to have the town wrap around the courtroom. "It's not just the defendant on trial; it is the town and the state legislature. They are all intertwined."

Since its debut in 1955, Inherit has always incited discussion, so take your brain and some friends and make it a thought-provoking literary night.  — Mary Birdsong

Aug. 21 to Sept. 13; Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m.; Sundays 3 p.m. // 652 W. 17th St. // Adults $12, Seniors and Students $8 // 450.8553, allanact.net  // One dollar of every ticket sale is donated to Community Shelter Services