PicksInSix Review: Inherit the Wind - Goodman Theatre

“THE RIGHT TO THINK ON TRIAL”
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

The image has all the makings of a Norman Rockwell painting.

The citizens of rural Hillsboro, clustered four-deep in the steamy courthouse, leaning in and transfixed by the sudden turn of events at the trial of Bertram Cates (Christopher Llewyn Ramirez), accused of teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in his 2nd grade classroom. Leading Cates’s defense is Henry Drummond (Harry Lennix) who is grilling the prosecuting attorney—and his old friend—Matthew Harrison Brady (Alexander Gemignani) on the witness stand about philosophy and scriptures after the judge (Kevin Gudhal) has refused to allow any men or women of science to testify for the defense.

The fiery courtroom interchange between the two men leads to the scintillating climax of the Goodman Theatre’s superb revival of “Inherit the Wind” directed by Henry Godinez that opened Monday. The 1955 play, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes Trial in Dayton, Tennessee that challenged the Butler Act outlawing the teaching of evolution in the classroom. Indeed, the injustice of suppressing alternate opinions and attempting to eliminate the free exchange of ideas flows throughout the play which explains its universal appeal on stage and in the memorable 1960 film starring Spencer Tracy and Frederic March.

For context, the title refers to Proverbs 11:29: “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: And the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.” Exemplified in the overbearing nature of Reverend Jermiah Brown (Ryan Kitley) toward his daughter Rachel (Tyler), who is torn between the love she feels for Cates and her strict religious upbringing, and in the exchanges between Drummond and Brady, “Inherit the Wind” lays bare the differences in the individual beliefs of our existence. Perhaps the most salient point belongs to Drummond, who says: “The man who has everything figured out is probably a fool. College examinations notwithstanding, it takes a very smart fella to say ‘I don’t know the answer!’”

Director Godinez has assembled a stellar cast and creative team around the central characters involved in the trial. Lennix is commanding as Drummond, his folksy charm every bit a match for Gemignani’s swaggering fire and brimstone. Together they are simply terrific to watch. In supporting roles, Lawrence Grimm has a slick featured role as the radio man and among the townspeople in the fine ensemble that includes William Dick (Mayor), Terry Bell (Sillers), Charin Álvarez (Mrs. Brady) and Meighan Gerachis (Elijah). On the fringe of the proceedings is E.K.Hornbeck (Mi Kang), the cynical reporter who is covering the trial. The real life father/daughter team of Christopher Kale Jones as the trial attorney Tom Davenport and  Melinda (Presley Rose Jones) who is the friend of Thomas Murphy Molony’s Howard and Robert Schleifer (Meeker) all deserve special mention.

There is a down-home, natural and overall timeless vision on the creative side of the show that is first-rate. Collette Pollard’s elegant scenic design includes a stunning vista of the Hillsboro skyline above the stage, ever present within a shimmering skylight that mirrors the raked stage surface that serves as both the townsquare and the courtroom. Jessica Pabst’s costume design fits the period nature of the piece perfectly along with Jason Lynch’s crisp lighting and the subtle but effective original music and sound design by Richard Woodbury. While the sense is that the action is occurring at another place and time, this thought-provoking piece reflects the here and now, or for that matter, any instance when the threat to free speech and our personal liberties is so great that we must take an active stand and always seek the truth.  

(Note: An earlier version omitted Robert Schleifer..)      
PHOTO|Liz Lauren

Goodman Theatre
presents
Inherit the Wind
EXTENDED through October 20

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PicksInSix Review: Highway Patrol - Goodman Theatre

Like Nothing You Will Ever See.
PicksInSix® Review | Ed Tracy

It may appear glamorous, but the life of a lead actor in a hit television series is, by all accounts from those in the know, a bit of a grind. Long hours in preparation memorizing lines, early morning makeup calls, missed holidays and family gatherings, and the interminable wait time between takes are a way of life for the months that the show is in production. Around the edges of all this activity, it’s a challenge to maintain somewhat of a normal life and to keep the business side of entertainment moving forward while maintaining a personal life. And then there are matters of the heart. And sleep. And wine.

The charming Dana Delany, whose career includes a string of long-running hits like China Beach and Body of Proof— the kind of success that most actors can only dream of having—appears to be one of the fortunate ones who can take all it in stride, even as she admits there has been little time to pursue the joy and the fulfillment of what it means to have a meaningful relationship. Even when those opportunities did come along she could not always be present and things went nowhere.

All that changed in October 2012 when Delany was wrapping up the last few months of filming Body of Proof which is the point of reference for the opening scene of “Highway Patrol,” a fact-based memoir of sorts that peers into Delany’s daily life on and off the set. The network has asked the usually private Delany to embrace Twitter to build a social following for the show. Although somewhat reluctant at first, Delany soon dives in enthusiastically and the interaction with fans begins to fill a void in her life.

One of those fans is an inquisitive young boy named Cam (Thomas Murphy Molony) who was different. He was encouraging, thoughtful, brave and persistent. The relationship between the two deepened, encouraged by her friend and fellow actor, Peter Gallagher, due to the nature of Cam’s terminal disease and in cooperation with Cam’s guardian and grandmother Nan (Dot Marie Jones). In a few short weeks, Delany was communicating regularly to make the boy’s final days bright and meaningful, sending photos and telling his story to close friends and to those around her on the set.

“Highway Patrol,” which opened Tuesday night at Goodman, is based on Delany’s digital archive of her experience in text messages that have been curated by playwright Jen Silverman. Delany, a superbly engaging central star who has an arresting presence on stage throughout the play, is narrative storyteller. The show—created by Delany, Silverman, director Mike Donohue and scenic designer Dane Laffrey—moves with precision over the course of two-acts, retelling a captivating story that, at times, defies belief except that at every turn we know this all happened. Delany gives a stunningly poised performance, as if she were recounting these events in a more intimate setting than Goodman’s 856-seat Albert that was filled to capacity.

That same ease of delivery is highlighted in Molony’s endearing performance as Cam who is making his Goodman debut. And although it would be unfair to give more away about their relationship in what becomes a fascinating and intriguing thriller, watching Delany’s story unfold made for a marvelous night of theatre. Like nothing you will ever see.      

PHOTO|Liz Lauren

Goodman Theatre
presents

HIGHWAY PATROL
through February 18, 2024

WEBSITE
TICKETS

For more reviews, visit: Theatre In Chicago

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PicksInSix® is a registered trademark of Roxbury Road Creative, LLC