Inherit the Wind 1955 - Articles Page 2

Opened: April 21, 1955

Inherit the Wind - 1955 - Broadway History , Info & More

National Theatre
208 W. 41st St. New York, NY 10036

Inherit the Wind, a powerful courtroom drama written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, isn't a musical, but it's a gripping play nonetheless. Here's the lowdown:



Debuting in 1955, the play fictionalizes the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. Science teacher John Scopes is put on trial for defying a Tennessee law that prohibited teaching evolution in public schools. The play becomes a battleground for clashing ideologies - religious fundamentalism versus scientific progress.



Two legendary lawyers take center stage: the firebrand defense attorney Henry Drummond, modeled after Clarence Darrow, and the ruthless prosecutor Matthew Harrison Brady, a character resembling William Jennings Bryan. Their legal battle becomes a microcosm of the larger societal struggle between tradition and progress.



Inherit the Wind transcends its historical setting. The play continues to resonate with audiences today, sparking discussions about censorship, academic freedom, and the ongoing debate between science and religion. Its powerful message and timeless themes make Inherit the Wind a thought-provoking and impactful piece of theater.

Inherit the Wind - 1955 - Broadway Cast

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Inherit the Wind - 1955 - Broadway Articles Page 2

The Dallas Observer Highlights the Women in Dallas's Theatre Scene
by Louisa Brady - Mar 26, 2016


An article on The Dallas Observer by Katy Lemieux highlighted the powerful, influential women of the theatre scene in Dallas today. Lemieux credits Margo Jones, who opened a Dallas theatre before her death in 1955, as one of the leaders in this movement.

BILLY ELLIOT, 'MODERN MILLIE' & More on Tap for Ocean State's 2016-17 Season
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 17, 2016


Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) has announced that its fifth season in its comfortable, stadium style theatre located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick, will open with the Rhode Island professional premiere of the Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation, Billy Elliot The Musical.

Annual Palefsky Collision Project Begins Next Week at Alliance Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 17, 2015


Twenty students will gather at the Alliance Theatre next week to begin the 14th annual Palefsky Collision Project. This diverse group of teenagers from around the metro Atlanta area will explore a classic text under the guidance of a professional playwright. The provocative 1955 play Inherit the Wind will serve as the source text that will inspire a new performance piece developed by the students. Under the guidance of the Alliance Theatre's Mellon Playwright in Residence, Pearl Cleage, and Director Patrick McColery, students will explore themes of intellectual freedom, tolerance, and the role of religion and science on education, and will examine how these themes are manifested in modern times.

Jess Goldstein, Douglas W. Schmidt & More to Receive 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 3, 2015


Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

CC Playhouse to Stage INHERIT THE WIND
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 29, 2014


In July, Cumberland County Playhouse and the Scopes Trial Festival in Dayton co-produced Front Page News, a new, historically accurate 'play with music' about the famous Scopes 'Monkey Trial.' Following that success, director Jim Crabtree turns to the fictional drama inspired by those events, Inherit The Wind. The play is based on elements of the Scopes trial, but also inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. Crabtree's hymn-filled production strives to promote respect for all views. 'Working on Front Page News was a revelation,' says Crabtree. 'The more I learned the actual surrounding the Scopes Trial, the more respect I gained for the real people of Dayton. This knowledge informs our Inherit The Wind.'

Richard Armitage, Anna Madeley and More Lead THE CRUCIBLE at the Old Vic - Full Cast Announced!
by Christina Mancuso - Apr 15, 2014


Initial casting for Arthur Miller's The Crucible is announced. Richard Armitage, Anna Madeley and Samantha Colley are to play John Proctor, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams in Ya?l Farber's new production at The Old Vic, with previews from Tuesday 24 June. The cast also includes Sarah Niles, Rebecca Saire and Zara White, with further cast to be announced.

Old Vic Announces 2014-15 Season; Kevin Spacey to Return to the Stage in CLARENCE DARROW
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 18, 2014


The Old Vic today announced its programme for Summer/Autumn 2014. The CQS Space, The Old Vic in the round, will be home to the whole season of productions, continuing after Other Desert Cities which opens this month. The plays will be performed in the round, a transformation of The Old Vic's auditorium first seen for the award-winning 2008 production of The Norman Conquests. The season of productions is supported for the fourth consecutive year by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

FLASH FRIDAY: Christopher Plummer Storms The Cinema With THE TEMPEST
by Pat Cerasaro - Mar 7, 2014


Today we are shining a spotlight on one of the most respected and revered stage and screen stars of the last several decades who is known the world over for not only his stirring and commanding dramatic performances and touching and rib-tickling comedies on film, but also for his iconic roles on the stage playing Shakespeare, performing in straight drama and also musicals - and, perhaps, beloved most of all for his essaying of Captain Von Trapp in the celebrated Robert Wise film adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning THE SOUND OF MUSIC - the elegant, graceful and eminently gifted Christopher Plummer.

Wasatch Theatrical Ventures to Present INHERIT THE WIND, 2/8-3/16
by Tyler Peterson - Feb 4, 2014


Wasatch Theatrical Ventures will present one of the great American plays of the 20th century, INHERIT THE WIND, written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, directed by the award-winning Kiff Scholl, produced by Racquel Lehrman/Theatre Planners. In a small town courtroom and with the eyes of the nation upon them, two legal giants face off over a teacher's right to teach evolution to a high school class in this critically acclaimed drama based on the Scopes Monkey Trial. As rousing and relevant today as it was when it debuted in 1955, INHERIT THE WIND is an edge-of-your-seat riveting look at the age-old conflict between science and religion. The play opens Friday, February 8th and runs through March 16th at the Grove Theatre Center in Burbank, CA.

BWW Interviews: Wichita Community Theatre's INHERIT THE WIND Brings Controversy
by Alison Bridget Chambers - Jan 16, 2014


Wichita Community Theatre is hard at work preparing for their upcoming production of Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. Directed by Mark Mannette and Apprentice Directed by Steve Miotto, Inherit the Wind promises to be a challenging and exciting theatrical experience.

Harris Yulin, Candy Buckley & More Set for Chautauqua Theater Company's 30th Anniversary Season
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 17, 2013


Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), under the leadership of Vivienne Benesch Artistic Director and Sarah Clare Corporandy Managing Director, is proud to announce casting for its 30th Anniversary season featuring Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof(June 28-July 7), the Pulitzer and Tony-winning Clybourne Park (July 19-28), Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors (August 9-16) all on the Bratton Theater Mainstage, in addition to The Romeo & Juliet Project (July 27) in the renowned 5,000-seat Chautauqua Amphitheater.

2013 William Inge Theatre Festival Honors Its Namesake, Now thru May 4
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2013


The William Inge Theatre Festival has a long rich history of honoring great living playwrights, acknowledging these too-often underappreciated creative heroes of the stage. But the 32nd annual Inge Festival in 2013 changes pace: honoring its namesake American icon William Inge, to celebrate the centennial of his birth. The William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College takes place today, May 1-4 of 2013, in Inge's rural hometown of Independence, Kansas, where, annually, Broadway and Hollywood artists meet on the prairie to mingle with visitors from more than 24 states.

Scarborough Players Presents INHERIT THE WIND, Now thru 4/6
by BWW News Desk - Apr 4, 2013


Scarborough Players presents 'Inherit the Wind' by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the third production of its 54th Season, beginning tonight, April 4 and continuing April 6, 11-13, 18-20 at 8 pm, and April 14 at 2 pm at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Road at Markham Road, Scarborough.

Scarborough Players Presents INHERIT THE WIND, 4/4-6
by Emily Stubbs - Mar 21, 2013


Scarborough Players is pleased to present 'Inherit the Wind' by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, the third production of its 54th Season. April 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 at 8 pm, and April 14 at 2 pm at Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Road at Markham Road, Scarborough.

What's On - Philadelphia 2012-13 Theater Season
by Pati Buehler - Aug 30, 2012


The curtains are up for the Philly 2012-2013 Theater Season. From daring new works and world premieres, popular Broadway tour stops and of course, your favorite classic stage productions. Here's just a few of Philadelphia's favorite theaters listings.

GUYS AND DOLLS Plays the Segal Centre, 9/30-10/28
by Kelsey Denette - Aug 22, 2012


The Segal Centre for Performing Arts will inaugurate its 2012-2013 theatre season with the Tony Award winning musical Guys and Dolls.

2013 William Inge Theatre Festival to Honor Its Namesake, May 1-4, 2013
by BWW News Desk - Jul 11, 2012


The William Inge Theatre Festival has a long rich history of honoring great living playwrights, acknowledging these too-often underappreciated creative heroes of the stage. But the 32nd annual Inge Festival in 2013 changes pace: honoring its namesake American icon William Inge, to celebrate the centennial of his birth. The William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College takes place May 1-4 of 2013, in Inge's rural hometown of Independence, Kansas, where, annually, Broadway and Hollywood artists meet on the prairie to mingle with visitors from more than 24 states.

2013 William Inge Theatre Festival to Honor Its Namesake
by Kelsey Denette - Jul 11, 2012


The William Inge Theatre Festival has a long rich history of honoring great living playwrights, acknowledging these too-often underappreciated creative heroes of the stage. But the 32nd annual Inge Festival in 2013 changes pace: honoring its namesake American icon William Inge, to celebrate the centennial of his birth.

FLASH FRIDAY: A Christopher Plummer Celebration
by Pat Cerasaro - Jun 8, 2012


Today we are shining a light on one of the most respected and revered stage and screen stars of the last several decades who is known the world over for not only his stirring and commanding dramatic performances and touching and rib-tickling comedies on film, but also for his iconic roles on the stage playing Shakespeare, and, perhaps most of all, for his essaying of Captain Von Trapp in the celebrated Robert Wise film adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Tony Award-winning THE SOUND OF MUSIC - the elegant, graceful and eminently gifted Christopher Plummer. Looking back at a career spanning nearly seven decades, today we will focus on Plummer's most important and most fondly remembered roles to date - ranging from Sidney Lumet's STAGE STRUCK in 1958 to his Shakespeare stage work, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER, TV's THE THORN BIRDS, and, of course, his Academy Award-winning turn in last year's BEGINNERS - with a look ahead to the exceptionally enticing new Fathom in-cinema presentation of Des McAnuff's Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of THE TEMPEST starring Plummer as Prospero, in movie theaters nationwide on June 14 - what the 83-year-old actor has promised will be his final Shakespeare performance onstage. So, if there were ever a time to take a look back at one of the most remarkable Broadway/Hollywood crossover stars of the last century or the current one as he reaches yet another peek in a career populated with many highs, now is certainly the time! After all, as the oldest Oscar-winner to date, a midsummer night's dream has evidently quite quickly turned to a winter's tale - but with sound and fury signifying much, as we will see.

Broadway Veteran Harry Morgan Dies at 96
by Caryn Robbins - Dec 7, 2011


Actor Harry Morgan, perhaps best known for his role as Colonel Potter on the long-running TV comedy M*A*S*H, has died at age 96.

Westport Country Playhouse Stages Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer
by BWW News Desk - Sep 10, 2011


In celebration of the Tennessee Williams centennial, Westport Country Playhouse will stage Tennessee Williams' poetic, sensual and evocative drama, 'Suddenly Last Summer,' directed by Playhouse associate artistic director David Kennedy, playing August 23 - September 10.

Westport Country Playhouse Stages Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 16, 2011


In celebration of the Tennessee Williams centennial, Westport Country Playhouse will stage Tennessee Williams' poetic, sensual and evocative drama, 'Suddenly Last Summer,' directed by Playhouse associate artistic director David Kennedy, playing August 23 - September 10.

INHERIT THE WIND, GLASS MENAGERIE, et al. Set for Oak Park Festival Theatre Season
by Lauren Wolman - Aug 8, 2011


Oak Park Festival Theatre announces its 2011-2012 performance season. Following last year's successful four-play season, there will be two productions indoors, in addition to the two outdoors in Austin Gardens.

Westport Country Playhouse Stages Williams’ Suddenly Last Summer
by Gabrielle Sierra - Aug 2, 2011


In celebration of the Tennessee Williams centennial, Westport Country Playhouse will stage Tennessee Williams' poetic, sensual and evocative drama, 'Suddenly Last Summer,' directed by Playhouse associate artistic director David Kennedy, playing August 23 - September 10.

Inherit the Wind FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Inherit the Wind have there been?
Inherit the Wind has had 5 productions including Broadway which opened in 1955, Broadway which opened in 1996, Broadway which opened in 1996, Broadway which opened in 2007 and Broadway which opened in 2007.
What Tony Awards has Inherit the Wind been nominated for?
Inherit the Wind has been nominated for two Tony Awards. It was nominated for Best Direction for Herman Shumlin and Best Scenic Design for Peter Larkin.
What Tony Awards has Inherit the Wind won?
Inherit the Wind has won several Tony Awards. It won the award for Best Direction for Herman Shumlin and Best Scenic Design for Peter Larkin.
What awards has Inherit the Wind been nominated for?
Inherit the Wind has been nominated for several awards, including Best Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards.
What awards has Inherit the Wind won?
Inherit the Wind has won the Best Play award at the Outer Critics Circle Awards.

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