Although based on the Scopes Monkey Trial, pitting evolution vs. the Bible's story of creation, it's a loose adaptation. And the plot does follow a teacher on trial for espousing evolution in a small Southern town. On first reading of the script, actor Gary Wise wasn't encouraged to take part in Theatre Tuscaloosa's production. He just didn't want to be part of re-fighting the war of evolution vs. creationism. But director Michael Carr convinced him to re-view the script as a battle between right and wrong.
Every time there's a change, someone gets upset.
Wise plays Drummond, who defends schoolteacher Bertram Cates. Both Brady and Drummond have wonderfully pungent oratory. Brady sees in terms of absolute right and absolute wrong, no shades of gray. Drummond, on the other hand, represents realism. He's saying, 'Look at this.