What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Yeesh! The last time I visited the rehearsal for "Inherit the Wind", they were hammering out blocking details and working, re-working the scene with Brady on the witness stand. Mrs. Krebs was filling in as the Greek Chorus, and they were "off book", but calling for lines pretty frequently. While the dialog between Drummond and Brady is riveting, the "acting" that makes it come to life has moved forward exponentially.
Not an actor, never want to be an actor, can't imagine being an actor. The work they do is amazing. "Amazing" is a much too frequently used word to describe things that, well...AREN'T. This is.
I sensed some frustration tonight. I would be frustrated, too. Calling for lines with a week to go must be genuinely frightening, or at least, unnerving.
After a grueling 3 hours, director, Christopher Weaver had 20 minutes worth of notes made during the run-through. Virtually every actor, plus the Greek Chorus, had a mention, but he likened it to the sculpting of the Michael Angelo. You start with a hammer and chisel, and end up with a tiny brush and fine detailing tools. Well, he's equipped with the detailing tools, and the cast is adjusting. I am, however, curious how they remember the detailed instructions that he gives. They obviously, make the necessary notes in their books, but they are "off book", so I don't know how they can remember the changes/corrections.
To the cast who check this blog: You are all STUPENDOUS! WONDERFUL! AWESOME!
It's easy to think of Terri Foley, the stage manager, as the ultimate mother figure. But, don't be fooled. She is one extremely organized, very thorough person. She, too, has a keen eye for detail.
I teared up during one of Rachael's big moments. The young woman playing her is Clara Osbeck. Michael Kohlenberger as Bertram Cates is believable as the charged teacher, Rachael's love interest, and a man questioning his faith. Joseph Anthony as E.K. Hornbeck is so very good, he has the tenor of the character perfect. Perhaps Christopher would call it something else, remember--I know nothing about acting, but I know what I love. Joe mentioned early on that he had been hoping to have a shot at the Reverend Brown. Well, Bill Handy is the Reverend Jeremiah Brown, and is wonderful in that role. His big scene, when he's preaching to the townspeople, is pretty perfect, too. Jim Burr as Matthew Harrison Brady is fresh off a knee replacement, but he is spellbinding in the scene when he breaks. Joe is, well.....Joe IS Henry Drummond.
I've thought alot about the fact that, while the Scope's Monkey Trial was the starting point, the playwrights, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, made it very clear that it is a piece of fiction, not journalism, or history either for that matter. People have spent countless hours ripping the play apart for it's inaccuracies, but it was never intended to be an accurate depiction of the Scope's trial.
Taken for what it's worth, the play stands very nicely on it's own. It may seem, to some, to be making light of, and even, ridiculing the Christian faith. I think, rather, that it shows how even the well-intended can fall into a "head" knowledge without "heart" action, and that legalism is not ever an appropriate response.
Opening night is Thursday, July 29.
To all of Joe's friends: You will not be disappointed.
