The Meadville Community Theatre is going to court. Not because they are litigious or embroiled in some controversy, but why build a courtroom set to host a play when a historic real courtroom is available? And why not cast a real judge to play the part of, you guessed it, the judge?
That is exactly what will be taking place on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and July 10 at 2 p.m. in the old Courtroom One of the Crawford County Courthouse when the local theatre group presents the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (not the confederate general) play "Inherit the Wind."
This setting isn't new to drama of this kind. In the early 1970s this same play was put on in the same courtroom. This years opening will be 97 years to the day from the beginning of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes trial, the event the play is based.
"This fictionalized account of the Scopes “Monkey” trial in Tennessee addresses basic issues which are still controversial today. Thinly disguised characters portraying William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow oppose each other in this dramatic recreation of the trial of a teacher for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to a high school science class. It’s faith versus science in a play that reflects conflicts that still trouble our society," the MCT website describes.
The play was made famous in a 1960 movie starring Spencer Tracy and Fredric March.
According to Slvia Cagle, who supplied these rehearsal photos for this announcement, "MCT has partnered with the Crawford County Commissioners to produce an authentic courtroom drama commemorating a seminal moment in American history within the grandeur and beauty that only a traditional courtroom can offer.
Audiences will get the full courthouse experience. Going through the metal detectors will not be necessary, but there will be Sheriff's Deputies on site. Quite authentic for 1925."
The full cast can be found here: https://www.mctbackstage.com/cast-announcementinherit-the-wind/
Note the judge is played by Crawford County Judge John Spataro.
Directed by: Katie Wickert
July 9 at 7:30 p.m.
July 10 at 2: p.m.
Crawford County Old Courtroom 1
903 Diamond Park Square, Meadville, Pennsylvania
That is exactly what will be taking place on July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and July 10 at 2 p.m. in the old Courtroom One of the Crawford County Courthouse when the local theatre group presents the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee (not the confederate general) play "Inherit the Wind."
This setting isn't new to drama of this kind. In the early 1970s this same play was put on in the same courtroom. This years opening will be 97 years to the day from the beginning of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes trial, the event the play is based.
"This fictionalized account of the Scopes “Monkey” trial in Tennessee addresses basic issues which are still controversial today. Thinly disguised characters portraying William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow oppose each other in this dramatic recreation of the trial of a teacher for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to a high school science class. It’s faith versus science in a play that reflects conflicts that still trouble our society," the MCT website describes.
The play was made famous in a 1960 movie starring Spencer Tracy and Fredric March.
According to Slvia Cagle, who supplied these rehearsal photos for this announcement, "MCT has partnered with the Crawford County Commissioners to produce an authentic courtroom drama commemorating a seminal moment in American history within the grandeur and beauty that only a traditional courtroom can offer.
Audiences will get the full courthouse experience. Going through the metal detectors will not be necessary, but there will be Sheriff's Deputies on site. Quite authentic for 1925."
The full cast can be found here: https://www.mctbackstage.com/cast-announcementinherit-the-wind/
Note the judge is played by Crawford County Judge John Spataro.
Directed by: Katie Wickert
July 9 at 7:30 p.m.
July 10 at 2: p.m.
Crawford County Old Courtroom 1
903 Diamond Park Square, Meadville, Pennsylvania
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