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“And on the Eighth Day: Bryan v. Darrow”
An Intelligent Perspective of the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial Evolution vs. Creationism: The Contentious Debate Continues! With 2009 being the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth, Steve and Mike are showcasing their original stage play, “And On the Eighth Day: Bryan vs. Darrow.” The radio version of this play won critical acclaim and was recognized with two awards. Riveting performances pit evolution against creationism in the courtroom of the Scopes “Monkey Trial” of 1925 Tennessee. Check out www.8thdayplay.com for background.
Please contact us if your organization would be interested in a presentation of the play. Watch Our Commercial! http://www.youtube.com/user/SteveBrown2008#p/a/u/0/SpMl6Udsyd0 Bryan v. Darrow: Point-Counterpoint Darrow to Bryan: “You insult every man of science and learning in the world because he does not believe in your fool religion!” The judge tried to stop the grilling, but Bryan pounded his fist, refusing to step down: "I am simply trying to protect the word of God against the greatest atheist or agnostic in the United States!" “And on the Eighth Day: Bryan v. Darrow” is a two-time award winning play, written by Salem, Wisconsin residents Steven Brown and Michael Ullstrup. This true and historically accurate account of “the trial of the 20th Century” pits scientific discovery against religious zeal. It is about a moment in history when two men faced each other across a courtroom, each trembling with rage, each attacking the faith of the other. The clash symbolized a new fault line in American culture -- a time when scientific advances began to challenge the bedrock of truth that the Bible represented to so many people. Brown and Ullstrup’s riveting treatment of the actual Scopes’ trial transcripts gives the audience a real look at the banter between Bryan and Darrow, unlike the highly fictionalized motion picture and stage play, “Inherit the Wind.” The Story
Anyone who wants to understand why religion and science continue to clash so fiercely in American culture would do well to turn back the clock to 1925. That was the year a high school teacher named John Scopes was arrested for violating a Tennessee law forbidding the teaching of evolution. The crowds didn't come to see Scopes or to hear the arguments of his ACLU attorneys. They came to witness a clash of titans, a fight to the finish between two of America's greatest orators, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan. For thirty years Bryan had been a progressive force in the Democratic Party. He supported women’s suffrage and the rights of farmers and laborers, and he believed passionately in majority rule. But on the question of the origins of man, Bryan proved to be a traditionalist, putting his faith in God. Opposing him was the most brilliant defense attorney in the U.S., the tall, grizzled Clarence Darrow. Read some of Darrow's cross-examination of Bryan For years, Darrow had been trying to engage Bryan in a debate over religion. Hearing that Bryan was coming to Dayton, Darrow volunteered his services -- without pay -- for the defense. Darrow had supported the populist candidate William Jennings Bryan in his first presidential campaign, but he opposed Bryan's religious beliefs. He believed the Scopes trial would be the perfect platform for that debate. The Actors Clarence Darrow is played by Kenosha-area actor, Terry Lawler. Clarence Darrow grew up in an unconventional household. His father was a carpenter and part-time undertaker in the little town of Kinsman, Ohio. He was also an atheist. "The fact that my father was a heretic always put him on the defensive," Darrow later wrote. "We children thought it was only right and loyal that we should defend his cause." William Jennings Bryan is portrayed by Chicago actor, Christopher Leonard. As a young man, Bryan had been open-minded about the origins of man. But over the years he became convinced that Darwin's theory was responsible for much that was wrong with the modern world. "The Darwinian Theory represents man as reaching his present perfection by the operation of the law of hate," Bryan said, "Evolution is the merciless law by which the strong crowd out and kill off the weak." He believed that the Bible countered this merciless law with "the law of love." Read some of the final discussion between Bryan and Darrow Other actors featured in this production are Vittoria DuMez (Mary Baird Bryan), Gary Stamm (Judge John Raulston) and Ryan Farrell as John T. Scopes. Terry Lawler directed this production and Steven Brown created the outstanding musical soundtrack. “And on the Eighth Day: Bryan v. Darrow” has won prestigious awards from The Wisconsin Association of Broadcasters and the Wisconsin Bar Association. Audience remarks
"....the play was riveting." "...the actors were excellent." "...I loved the way they portrayed the Bible and story itself." "...I liked the way they tied into modern intelligent design into the story." "... "Give Me that Old Time Religion" would have been a better song to sing." "...the fact that the play was really straight-forward and did not offend anyone." "...the writing was excellent." "...William Jennings Bryan was portrayed in a very strong manner. Excellent!" "... 'Don't believe what you see in the movies'...definitely a better take (and more believeable) on the characters than in the film "Inherit the Wind." "...I liked this play because it shows the history of the United States as well as the perspective of the Bible." Ticket Information
Contact Mike Ullstrup at (847) 721-1548 for more information including group discounts.. Interviews with playwrights Brown and Ullstrup, or with the actors may be scheduled by calling Dr. Steve Brown at (262) 813-0144 or (847) 894-5218. |