Theatre Tuscaloosa Breathes New Life Into Inherit the Wind

January 17, 2020 – Theatre Tuscaloosa will present Inherit the Wind, February 14-23, 2020, in the Bean-Brown Theatre on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College (9500 Old Greensboro Rd).

Creation or evolution? Faith or science? These are the issues on trial in one of the greatest dramas of the 20th Century. Inherit the Wind pits two hotshot lawyers against one another as the state prosecutes a teacher for discussing the theory of evolution in the classroom. Written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Inherit the Wind is based on the famous events of the Scopes Monkey Trials. The title is in reference to Proverbs 11:29: “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.”

Bethe Ensey is directing Inherit the Wind. She previously directed Steel Magnolias, Red and The Dresser, and Grand Concourse. Ensey said, “Although this show was written in 1955, it continues to be relevant today as debates between religious truth and scientific fact still makes headlines in our national discourse.”

Ensey heads up a production team that includes Jameson Sanford, scenic designer; Jacob Olson, lighting designer; Jeanette Waterman, costume designer; Wheeler Kincaid, technical director; Alex Smith, assistant stage manager; and Ian Akins, stage manager.

Theatre Tuscaloosa performed Inherit the Wind in 2000 and 1983, and several cast members have returned to perform in this production. Returning from the original 1983 production are Carol DeVelice and Glen Johnson. Returning from the 2000 production are William “Bill” Aldridge, Glen Johnson, Charles Prosser, George Thagard, Gary Wise, and Wescott Youngson.

Rounding out the cast are newcomers John Hammontree, Kelsey Handley, Rory Kauffman, and Brody Lynn, and Theatre Tuscaloosa veterans Sarah Kathryn Bonds, Scott Frazier, Melissa Grantham, Josh Kauffman, Louise Manos, Michael Norton, Ronald Olivet, Taril Slater, Ernie Turley, LaQuenteshia Whitfield, and Jeff Wilson.

Theatre Tuscaloosa’s 2019-20 season is in partnership with Shelton State Community College and sponsored by The City of Tuscaloosa, The Alabama State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Mercedes-Benz, Claire Friday, and WVUA23. Inherit the Wind is sponsored by Alabama Public Radio, Harper Chambers Lumber, and Grace Presbyterian Church. The 2019-20 media partner is Tuscaloosa Radio.

Performance dates and times are as follows: Friday & Saturday, Feb. 14 & 15, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday and Wednesday, Feb. 16 & 19 at 2:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, Feb. 20 & 21 at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 22 & 23 at 2:00 p.m. A pay-what-you-can final dress rehearsal will be presented on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m., proceeds of which will benefit the Charlie Dennis Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors and members of the military, and $14 for students and children. Special rates are available in advance for groups of 10 or more. This play is appropriate for ages 10 and up.

Tickets and more information are available at www.theatretusc.com or 205.391.2277.

###

Theatre Tuscaloosa is a 501c3 not-for-profit community theatre located on the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Theatre Tuscaloosa has been enriching the greater Tuscaloosa community since 1971 through quality theatrical productions and educational outreach.