'Remarkably Relevant' Theater Production Set To Begin Run In Deerfield

DEERFIELD, IL — Though "Inherit the Wind" is set in 1920s Tennessee, the production's director believes the story is as important today as it was last century. Theater D and the Deerfield Park District present "Inherit the Wind" next month at the newly renovated Caruso Auditorium, 1801 Montgomery Road, Deerfield

The play will run on April 7, 8, 14, 15 and 16. "Inherit the Wind" is written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is directed by Chris Causer and includes a cast of 19, according to the Deerfield Park District.

"Inherit the Wind" is a fictionalized version of the real-life 1925 Tennessee case known as the Scopes “monkey” trial, where two renown attorneys, William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, argued for the freedom of beliefs from different sides of the stand.

“'Inherit the Wind' is remarkably relevant to the social and political conflicts impacting life today,” Causer said. “This is one of those plays that a community theatre like ours will produce because we should and we can. Our hard-working cast and crew have worked diligently for months preparing this intense play, which underscores the inherent conflict between observable truth and personal belief.”

According to the park district, the story is set in a small Southern town where schoolteacher Bertram Cates has violated a state law and prepares to stand trial. His offense? Introducing the theory of evolution and the teachings of Charles Darwin into his high school classroom, thus provoking local leaders. The “Trial of the Century” includes lawyers Henry Drummond (based on Darrow) played by Edward Kuffert and Matthew Harrison Brady (based on Bryan) played by Bob Sanders.

Showtimes for the five dates are: 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 7; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 8; 7:30 p.m. April 14; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 15; 2 p.m. April 16.

Tickets are $25. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.