Evolutionism and Evangelism Battle it Out in J-CAT's Production of Inherit the Wind

Prosecutor Shares His Unique Perspective on Both Sides of the Trial.
By: Michael-Ann Russell JCC
 
NORTH MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Feb. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- North Miami Beach, Fla. - The J's Cultural Arts Theatre continues its eighth season with Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee's Inherit the Wind, directed by John Ferry. Inspired by the famous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, this play tells the story of a small town teacher in Tennessee who is arrested and prosecuted for teaching the theory of evolution to his high school science students. According to Ferry, who also stars in the play as Defense Attorney Henry Drummond, Inherit the Wind could easily be ripped from today's headlines.

"The basics of Inherit the Wind are still in play today," Ferry said. "It's still relevant. The play is incredibly well-written, which is always nice as a director, and we have really strong performers in this production."

Those performers include Harry Marsh, who brings a special understanding of his character, Prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady, to the stage.

Marsh rebelled as a teenager against his Roman-Catholic upbringing to become a born again Pentecostal. He remained an active lay leader for many years in the community before abandoning his faith for the study of earth sciences, obtaining a PhD in geology. His years in the church add color to his portrayal of Brady.

"I've known dozens and dozens of Matthew Harrison Bradys," Marsh said. "He is not a con man. He is a true believer, but he's also a dinosaur. He represents a culture that is slipping away, a calcification of evangelical Christianity into fundamentalism, and he's desperately trying to hold onto it."

Brady also represents William Jennings Bryan, the prosecutor in the Scopes Monkey Trial. "When it comes to Bryan, he used those aspects of his Christianity to argue for the downtrodden in society, and I appreciate that," Marsh said.

Ferry feels a familiar affinity with Drummond. "He's more articulate and infinitely smarter than me," Ferry admits, "but he's not backing off because the job is too tough- that's like me. Even when it looks like his legs have been cut out from under him, he still goes out swinging."

Inherit the Wind will run February 18th through March 1st at J-CAT, 18900 NE 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180, with show times at 2 pm, 7 pm, and 8:30 pm. General tickets are $20; student and senior tickets are $12. For tickets or more information, visit www.jcctheatre.com or call 866.811.4111. For press photos or fliers, contact jcat@marjcc.org.

About The J's Cultural Arts Theatre

J-CAT
is the theatre educational arm of the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center's Rabbi Norman Mussman Cultural Arts Department. It is a year-round theatre arts program for youth, teens, and adults which initiates students of all ages to the magical world of theatre through a full season of productions, Summer Stock Theatre Camp, and a whole range of after school and evening classes in acting and technical theatre. J-CAT presents 6 productions during the theatre season with both Youth and Adult companies.

Contact
Rosanne Gibel
jcat@marjcc.org
(305)932-4200 x130
End
Source:Michael-Ann Russell JCC
Email:***@marjcc.org Email Verified
Tags:Evolution, Scopes Monkey Trial, Jcc, Drama, Live Theater
Industry:Entertainment, Event
Location:North Miami Beach - Florida - United States
Subject:Events
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center News
Trending
Most Viewed
Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share