By Delia Paunescu

The current administration has long been criticized for mixing religion with politics in its decision-making. But the practice of not upholding the first amendment is not a new one, as seen in the Broadway revival of Inherit the Wind, a fictionalized retelling of the famous 1925 “Monkey Trial.” The play (written in 1955 by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee) shows the long tradition that issues over creationism have had in the U.S., and frighteningly enough, still makes sense in the 21st century.

Set in the fictional southern town of Hillsborough, the story emerges as the young school teacher Bertram Cates (a very cute Ben Walker) dares to teach Darwin’s ideas to his students. After being jailed for what the townspeople come to call “evil-ution,” two famous men arrive to partake in the trial – former presidential candidate Matthew Harrison Brady (Brian Dennehy) for the prosecution and notorious Henry Drummond for the defense (the ever-wonderful Christopher Plummer).

It is the trial, in which the right to think is ultimately questioned, that occupies the majority of the play’s running time. While Dennehy’s Brady removes more and more clothing as a result of the unbearable summer heat, we realize that his conviction to the cause is also being stripped. Respectively, Plummer presents the tough Drummond stoically. Even at the age of 77, and despite a shaking in his left hand that suggests it, Plummer still has great command over his craft and the same impressive presence he held as Captain von Trapp is still there, making his performance an absolutely privilege to watch.

The set (along with costumes by Santo Loquasto) is simplistic and made entirely of wood. It even has audience members sitting on the stage and facing out as though participating in the trial, with some even partaking in the jury seating. While it is difficult to imagine how these theater-goers watch the action from the back, it certainly bolts the modern-day implications for those who watch the play from the darkened theater and see the modern, street dress next to the actors’ period costumes. After all, it is not just the Southern Baptists or New England liberals that may or may not have evolved from prehistoric guck – it’s you, me and your roommate, too.

Science, evolution and argumentation aside, it is difficult to walk away and not realize that the most important lesson of the play, no matter what shape fish you put on your car, is to think. Perhaps it is this simple utilization of brain power that God or evolution may or may not have given us would begin to solve our ever-mounting problems, both in government and out.

Inherit the Wind will be playing at the Lyceum Theater for the next 16 weeks. Onstage seating is available.