FVCC Theatre Arts Department Opens with “Inherit the Wind”

Flathead Valley Community College's Theatre Arts Department opens the 2016-17 season with a production of the classic American play, “Inherit the Wind.” Nightly performances are scheduled for September 30, October 1 and October 6 – 8.

“Inherit the Wind” is based on the true-life drama that unfolded in rural Tennessee in 1925 when a high school science teacher, John Scopes, was convicted for teaching the theory of evolution to his students.

“‘Inherit the Wind'” is not often performed,” said FVCC Theatre Arts professor Joe Legate. “There are two reasons for this. It takes a large cast, which must populate three big scenes on a large stage. And more importantly, it's a controversial play about the debate between theories of intelligent design and evolution that still makes waves today.”

With current American issues such as immigration, xenophobia, racism and sexism in the news on a daily basis, “Inherit the Wind's” examination of “right” and “truth” remains as powerful today as when the play debuted in 1955 as a means of discussing the then-contemporary McCarthy trials. FVCC's production will bridge the reoccurring themes in U.S. history by freely incorporating theatrical elements, properties and costumes from the 1920s, 1950s and today.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. in the FVCC Theatre located inside the Arts and Technology Building. Tickets are available at the FVCC Bookstore, online at www.fvcc.edu and at the box office on show nights. General admission tickets are $10, senior tickets are $5 and students are admitted free of charge. Box office revenues support scholarships.