Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre presents “Inherit the Wind,” a compelling courtroom drama by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee and directed by Rob Roznowski, Professor of Acting at MSU. This engaging play, with performances scheduled for Oct. 4-13 at the Arena Theatre in the MSU Auditorium Building, is a fictionalized account of the historic 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial, in which a Tennessee teacher was convicted for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in a high school science class.
“This play celebrates those educators brave enough to stand up against bias and narrow-mindedness,” Roznowski said. “As the son of public educators, I salute those in the public education sector. It is their bravery, compassion, and determination to offer full and robust learning for students.”
“Inherit the Wind” brings the lively courtroom drama to life as it becomes a battleground for ideological conflict and a forum for debating the delicate balance between church and state. This 1925 story, fictionalized into a 1955 play, continues to remain relevant today.
“Banned books. Mixing religion and public education. Public education under attack. Moms for Liberty. Anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in education. Posting the Ten Commandments in the classroom. All this and more have made this play relevant again,” Roznowski said. “This play’s eerie prescience is made even more urgent in an election year. Our approach is more of a fable or cautionary tale that needs to be retold. Sadly.”
A few things that make this production unique, said Roznowski, is that it straddles both past and present.
“This play celebrates those educators brave enough to stand up against bias and narrow-mindedness. As the son of public educators, I salute those in the public education sector. It is their bravery, compassion, and determination to offer full and robust learning for students.”
Rob Roznowski, Professor of Acting
“The costumes designed by grad student Cailee Bywater reflect that, and the sheer number of books that make up the amazing set by grad student Kessler Jones, make this show unique,” Roznowski said. “We’ll also be doing a free performance for the College of Education to thank them for their work in preparing educators to go into the classroom and their mentors on the faculty.”
“Inherit the Wind” promises to captivate audiences with its thought-provoking narrative and dynamic performances.
“We hope audiences take away the cyclical nature of book banning and how they tie directly to the history for their time,” Roznowski said. “We can see today’s book banning (and their titles) correlated directly to the culture wars.”
Performance Dates and Times:
- Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, at 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at 8 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets for “Inherit the Wind” can be purchased online at whartoncenter.com, in person at the Wharton Center Ticket Office, or by calling 517-432-2000 or 1-800-WHARTON.
Ticket Pricing:
- General Admission: $20
- Seniors and Faculty: $15
- Students: $10
For more information on this show and other MSU Department of Theatre productions, visit whartoncenter.com/events/category/dept-of-theatre.
