Inherit the Wind

Prana Productions presents ...
Inherit the Wind

Cast and Crew outside the Prana Center, April 2008

Inherit the Wind
By Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee

Inherit the Wind is based on the famous Scopes trial of 1925, in which William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow fought over a schoolteacher’s right to teach Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

But this battle is not ancient history. As the authors write, “the issues of the conflict have acquired new dimension and meaning in the years since they clashed at the Rhea Country Courtroom. Inherit the wind is not journalism. It is theatre. It is not 1925. The stage directions set the time as ‘Not too long ago.’ It might have been yesterday. It could be tomorrow.”

Inherit the Wind was presented Friday, May 9, 2008, at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 10 at 1:30 and 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m. with a preview May 8.

Directed by Roberta Weiner and Julie Murphy
Produced by Special Arrangement with the Dramatists Play Service

Cast

Matthew Harrison Brady, prosecuting attorney – Matthew Curtis
Henry Drummond, defending attorney – Nick Varrell
Bert Cates, schoolteacher/defendant – Bobby Murphy
Rachel Brown, his fellow teacher and girlfriend – Jinny Pollinger
Rev. Jeremiah Brown, her father – Rachel Curtis
E.K. Hornbeck, the reporter – Carrie Gillespie
Meeker, the Jailer – Beth Hobbs
Howard Blair, one of Cates’ students – Crockett Henderson Elijah/Radio Reporter – Rachel Pollinger
The Judge – Erin Clancy
The Mayor – Joseph Duda
Davenport, assistant district attorney – Meg Lacey
Mrs. Brady – Maggie Naughton
Sillers, a storekeeper and foreman of jury – Ben Rutberg
Mrs. Blair, head of Ladies’ Auxiliary – Maddy Murphy
Mr. Bannister, a townsman, juryman – Abby Gray
Mr. Blair, a townsman & entrepreneur – Adam Meltzer
Melinda, a girl in town – Abby Meltzer
Townspeople - Phil Bassett, Nick Cornetta, Nina Doonan, Andrew Doane, Dan Doane

Creative and Technical Team
Directors: Roberta Weiner and Julie Murphy
Student Stage Manager: Nina Doonan
Set Construction and Sound Design: Nick Morana
Costume Design: Janet Henderson
Lights: Colleen Fitzpatrick
Rehearsal Assistance: Cathy Discuillo
Stage Crew: Harris Eidelman
Ticket sales: Coffee Haven, Grapevine, Keedo
Administration: Dayna Doane

Cast Bios

Erin Clancy (Judge) Inherit The Wind is Erin's 6th Prana Productions show. Her last show was Ramona Quimby (Aunt Bea). Erin has been doing Prana Summer Camp for 5 years, and has thoroughly enjoyed it. Erin loves being a part of Prana Productions.

Rachel Curtis (Rev. Brown) is 14 3/4 years old at the time she's typing this, and this is her 1st time acting with Prana. Her most recent roles were Luka and Natalya Stepanovna in The Sneeze with ESL. She is eternally grateful to her brother (Matthew Curtis who plays Matthew Harrison Brady) for introducing her to the Prana Center, and all of these wonderful people!

Joseph Duda (the Mayor) was last seen as Archibald Craven, the master of Misselthwaite in Prana Production's The Secret Garden. He is currently in 10^th grade at the Holliston High School. A past Prana role was Mr. Brooke in Little Women and prior to that, he played David Caroni in the Chocolate War. Joseph was the comic Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank and just before that, in Pirates of Penzance as Sergeant Cornwall, leader of the slapstick police. He has happily appeared in many other Prana Productions including Stuart Little - schoolboy, Charlotte's Web – photographer, fairgoer, spectator, Comedy Tonight – featured in several solos, and A Christmas Carol – Bob Cratchit. Joseph has also attended Prana Summer Camp programs, serving as counselor in training, as well as having taken other Prana drama classes. Other theater credits include working with Southborough Players in Beauty and the Beast, Washington Street Players in Anne of Green Gables, in various Holliston Middle School productions: Cinderella – the Prince, and Annie – Bert Healy, and at Holliston High School, was seen as the dining car waiter in Annie Get Your Gun. Joseph looks forward to participating in yet another successful Prana Productions play with great directors, crew, and of course, a great cast.

Carrie Gillespie (EK Hornbeck) is in 6th grade and is attending school at Holliston Middle School. Carrie has recently (over the past 3 years) discovered her love of theater through Prana. She is extremely motivated to be in this production and can never wait until the next rehearsal for Inherit the Wind! Other than theater, Carrie has studied Martial Arts for 6 years, and has earned her black belt in Kenpo Karate. She also loves to play basketball, softball, be outdoors, animals, reading, music, and hanging out with friends. You might have seen her in Little Women (Oct. 2007) as Young Amy, or maybe in Pirates of Penzance (Oct. 2006) as Officer Launceton, a clumsy, wimpy, police officer. Carrie has had a very fun and interesting variety of roles through Prana. Every one of the roles have brought their own challenges, as well as fun surprises. The whole Prana environment and experience have been so great for Carrie. She feels honored to be part of the Inherit the Wind cast. Lastly, Carrie would like to say thank you Roberta, for all that she does to make this so great!

Abby Gray (Bannister/ Corkin) is very excited to be part of the cast for Inherit the Wind. Abby is an 8th grader at Holliston Middle School. Abby has been interested in acting since she was little. This will be her third Prana Production. Abby was most recently seen in Ramona as Mr. Quimby (2008), and older Beth in Little Women (2007). She also appeared as singing Sally, and a store manager at Prana camp last summer. Abby would like to thank everyone at Prana especially Roberta for casting her as such a fun part in Inherit the Wind.

Beth Hobbs (Meeker) is excited to appear in her seventh Prana show. Most recently she played the strict, but funny Mrs. Griggs in Ramona Quimby. She also played Dr. Bangs and Betsy in Little Women, Brian Cochran in The Chocolate War, a wacky Police Officer in The Pirates of Penzance, Mr. Cheeryble in A Christmas Carol, and she was in the cast of Comedy Tonight. She has gone to Prana camp for the past four years playing roles such as an orphan in Annie, a pirate in The Pirates of Penzance, a Winkie in The Wizard of Oz, and last summer, Earl, the crazy Security Guard in a group-written play, along with a hippie and soldier soloist in Hair. Along with Prana she has been in a few other plays including the Holliston Middle School plays, The Wizard of Oz (ALOT of parts!) last year and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Grandma Georgina/"Bad Nut" Voice) this year. This June/July she is in the two Summer Stock shows also with Prana, Arsenic and Old Lace appearing as Teddy and Anne of Green Gables appearing as Marilla. She has also worked backstage in two shows, The Secret Garden (stage manager) and Diary of Anne Frank. Beth is a 14 year old 8th grader and enjoys eating sugar!

Meg Lacey (Davenport) After this summer, Meg will have been in 11 plays, 6 of them being Prana Plays. Meg enjoys acting, singing, going to Prana, hanging out with friends, reading, going on the computer and playing her favorite sports (tennis and softball). Meg is very excited for her 15th birthday in September and is even more excited for going into the High School after this summer (she is also VERY scared).

Maddy Murphy (Mrs. Blair) was most recently seen as the young Beth in Little Women. Before that, she appeared in Pirates of Penzance as Rebecca and was Fan in A Christmas Carol. She is in the 6th grade at Adams Middle School and enjoys singing and acting!

Adam Meltzer (Hawker/Photographer/Dunlap/Mr. Blair) is appearing in his third Prana Production. He appeared as the pirate Joseph in Pirates of Penzance and as the old man/doctor/director/boss in Ramona Quimby. Adam’s introduction to performing came through taking fun classes at the Prana Center and through experiences in Destination Imagination creative theatrical competitions. Adam loves to play different characters and is excited to be a part of Prana’s production of Inherit the Wind. Adam lives with his parents, brother and sister in Holliston and is a 7^th grade student at McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School in Framingham. He thanks his sister, Abby, for introducing him to the Prana Center.

Abby Meltzer (Melinda) has been acting at the Prana Center since she was 3 years old. She loves all of the classes at the Prana Center and attends Prana Camp every summer. This is Abby's fourth Prana Production. She appeared in The Christmas Carol, Pirates of Penzance and Little Women. Abby lives with her parents, and two brothers and is a fourth grade student at Miller Elementary School. She is very excited to be in this production of Inherit the Wind with her brother and all of her new friends.

Robert Murphy (Bert Cates) is a Freshman at Holliston High School. This is his second time on stage at Prana Productions, having previously played Harry Jamieson in Stuart Little. Bobby has attended several of the acting classes at Prana Productions; however, he can usually be found behind the scenes working lights and tech. In addition to theatre, Bobby has been studying martial arts for five years and has attained the ranks of black belt in karate and green belt in jujitsu. His favorite pastime is playing his Wii and an occasional game of rugby with friends.

Jinny Pollinger (Rachel Brown) most recently appeared in The Secret Garden as Dr. Craven, was on the costume staff for Ramona Quimby, and played Amy in Little Women. Last year, she appeared in 12 Angry Men, as a Voice in The Chocolate War, as young Anne Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, and as the “flirty” Rose in Pirates of Penzance. Her other past roles with Prana include Mary (a schoolchild) in Stuart Little, Gear and a child in Emperor’s New Clothes, a narrator in Charlotte’s Web, and Patience, the maid, in A Christmas Carol. She was also a member of Prana’s Comedy Tonight. Among her roles in Prana camp shows are Diana (Anne of Green Gables), Nancy (Oliver!), Kate (a shorter version of Pirates of Penzance), the evil split side of Tinkerbell (Alice in Wendylanda mixed-up version of Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan), and the Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz). Jinny loves to draw and of course, ACT! She is currently 13 years old and hopes to continue acting for the rest of her life.

Rachel Pollinger (Elijah/Radio Reporter) is a 9th grader at Holliston High School. This is her 11th show with Prana! She most recently appeared in The Secret Garden as Mrs. Medlock (Prana Productions). She was also in Ramona Quimby as Mrs. Kemp and the sponsor (Prana Productions). Earlier this year, she appeared in Prana's Little Women as Hannah, the maid. She was also in Prana's The Chocolate War as a voice. One of her favorite roles was older Anne in Prana's The Diary of Anne Frank . She was also in The Pirates of Penzance as Isabel. She played Caroline in Prana's A Christmas Carol . Rachel was a member of Prana's Comedy Tonight cast. She also appeared in Prana's Charlotte's Web as Templeton. Her first play with Prana was Stuart Little, where she appeared as a schoolchild. Her roles in Prana camp shows include Anna in The King and I, the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wendyland (group-written play), Glasswit in The Wizard of Oz, Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie, Mr. Grimwig in Oliver!, and Anne in Anne of Green Gables. Rachel will also be appearing as Louise in Holliston High School's Stagedoor. This summer, she will appear as Martha Brewster in Prana's Arsenic and Old Lace. Rachel is extremely happy to be a part of Inherit the Wind and wishes to tell the cast to break a leg!

Ben Rutberg (George M. Sillers) is 11 years of age. He is in 5th grade and first emerged onto the Prana scene when he played a dwarf in “Fractured Fairy Tales” in 2003. He also appeared in “Peter Pan” as Pan’s shadow and Wormtail in Harry Potter IV. He sang in “Consider Yourself” and “It’s a Hard Knock Life” at Celebrate Holliston and participated in many other long-forgotten productions. He enjoyed playing the gardener (Ben Weatherstaff) in The Secret Garden. When he is not practicing his lines, he is playing with Legos, reading, doing homework or hanging out with his friends at YMD. Ben is thankful to be able to participate in this play because he finds evolution very interesting.

Creative & Technical Team

Roberta Weiner (Director) is a long-time children's theatre director and acting and yoga teacher. Directing credits include The Secret Garden, Ramona Quimby, Little Women, The Chocolate War, The Diary of Anne Frank, The Pirates of Penzance, A Christmas Carol, Comedy Tonight!, Anastasia Krupnik, Goldilocks Speaks!, Jujubi & the Curse of Wing, Rumpelstiltskin Retold, Jack & Jill & the Beanstalk, The Shadow Box, Twelve Angry Men, Musicals: Pas de Deux, Anne of Green Gables, and Deathtrap. Roberta is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher and teaches yoga five days a week. She directs the Prana Center in Holliston and is co-founder of Prana Productions, with Nick Morana. Roberta and Nick are the co-authors of four plays for children, and Roberta is the author of several books on education and public policy. She has been seen on stage most recently in Hooray for Hollywood (ESL Theatre) and is featured in the independent film Faux Pas.

Julie Murphy (Director) was Assistant Director for Little Women and directed the Little Women, Pirates of Penzance and Christmas Carol Workshops for Prana. Her other directing experience includes Stuart Little (Prana Productions) The Butleress and Fools (both Washington Street Players). A teacher at the Prana Center for seven years, Julie has appeared on stage in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Charlotte's Web, Faith County, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Wedding from Hell, The Audition and many others. She is featured in the independent film Faux Pas. Julie has also worked behind the scenes on many productions and participated in many acting and theatre classes in college. Julie is married with two children, both of whom are active with Prana Productions.

Nick Morana (Set Construction & Rehearsal Assistance) is co-founder of Prana Productions. He co-directed The Chocolate War, The Diary of Anne Frank, Anastasia Krupnik, Goldilocks Speaks!, Jujubi & the Curse of Wing, Jack & Jill & the Beanstalk and Rumpelstiltskin Retold. He appeared on stage in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (ESL Theatre) and The Wizard of Oz. A professional carpenter, Nick has built the sets and run the back stage crews for many shows.

Nina Doonan (Student Stage Manager) is an 8th grader at Adams Middle School in Holliston. She is 14 years old and loves theater and drama. She has been involved in every Prana show this season, both helping out and performing, and has had an amazing time. Nina's past Prana theater credits include: Young Jo in Little Women, a voice in The Chocolate War, Samuel in Pirates of Penzance, Mr. Bumbleberry in A Christmas Carol, and a general cast member in Comedy Tonight, as well as 4 years of Prana Musical Theater Camp, where she played Ms. Hannigan in Annie, Fredrick in Pirates of Penzance, a Winkie in the Wonderful, Groovy, Wicked Land of Oz, and Berger in Hair. She also took part in the school play both this year and last year playing Oompa-Looma #4 in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the Emerald City Guard in The Wizard of Oz. When she isn't on stage, she loves to play field hockey, softball, and piano, as well as skiing and hanging out with friends. She is so glad she had the opportunity to work backstage on a great show with a great cast.