For the first time in Merced County’s modern history, the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial will be “retried” in the historic courtroom at the Courthouse Museum in a play, Inherit the Wind, on February 28. Directed by our own Heike Hambley and produced by Jim Johnson of Gallo Center, Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account of the “Monkey” Trial, which resulted in John T. Scopes’ conviction for teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to a high school science class, contrary to Tennessee state law. It was most famously adapted for the movie of the same name starring Spencer Tracy and Frederic March. The play depicts the intersection of statesman William Jennings Bryan, attorney Clarence Darrow, Scopes, and writer/reporter H. L. Mencken. Its contemporary resonance is underscored by the ongoing debate over creationism versus evolution. The cast members of the play are from the Merced-Modesto area. Tickets cost $15.00 and are now on sale in the museum office. The doors will open at 3:30p.m. and the show is at 4:00p.m. on February 28. General admission. Seating is limited. All proceeds benefit Courthouse Museum programs. For more information, please contact the Courthouse Museum at 723-2401.

As of February 14, the play is sold out.