Photo Flash: Ocean State Theatre presents INHERIT THE WIND

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), currently celebrating its fifth season in its comfortable stadium-style theatre in Warwick, presents Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee's Tony Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which will run at Ocean State Theatre from March 29 - April 16.

The debate over evolution versus creationism is at the center of the thrilling courtroom drama, Inherit the Wind. The play, which debuted in 1955, is still just as relevant today. The story fictionalizes the 1925 "Scopes Monkey Trial," in which Tennessee schoolteacher John Scopes was arrested for teaching Darwin's theory of evolution in violation of state law. The play centers around two titans of the courtroom based on William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow, who, before they were legal adversaries, were political allies and dear friends. The two master attorneys square off in the courtroom, while the teacher's fate hangs in the balance. This moving, riveting drama also takes a look at the way different journeys in life can lead to vastly divergent paths and, ultimately, philosophies.

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome back Trinity Repertory Company's FrEd Sullivan, Jr., who won rave reviews for his appearances with OSTC in both Rounding Third and Laughter on the 23rd Floor, as well as his direction of last season's hilarious production of Breaking Legs. Mr. Sullivan returns to direct what he considers a "great American play - one that has long lived in (his) heart as a favorite."

The ensemble cast of 21 includes Tom Gleadow of East Providence, who has appeared in OSTC productions of 1776, It's a Wonderful Life and Hairspray and BranDon Whitehead of Acushnet, Mass., who appeared as Mike Francisco in last season's production of Breaking Legs and as Inspector Hubbard in Dial M for Murder. Mr. Gleadow and MR. Whitehead will portray the opposing attorneys Henry Drummond and Matthew Harrison Brady, Steven Liebhauser of Jamestown and Marc Dante Mancini will be making their OSTC debuts as journalist and critic, E. K. Hornbeck and the defendant, Bertram Cates. Chris Perrotti of Lincoln, who appeared as Tino in OSTC's Breaking Legs, returns in the role of Reverend Jeremiah Brown and Nora Eschenheimer of Newport will make her OSTC debut as his daughter, Rachel Brown. Judge Merle Coffey will be portrayed by OSTC favorite Mark S. Cartier of Bridgewater, Mass., who is appearing for the ninth time with OSTC, and the role of Tom Davenport will be played by Benjamin Grills of Ashaway, who is making his OSTC debut. Karen Gail Kessler of Barrington, who appeared as Mrs. Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank, will portray Mrs. Brady and Cleo Zani, who made his OSTC debut in Breaking Legs, returns as Mayor Jason Carter. Julia Bartoletti of Charlton, Mass., Joan Batting of Barrington, Michael "Lenny" Contaxes of Attleboro, Rachel Dulude of Narragansett, Zachary Gibb of Foster, Jason Loete and Gunnar Manchester of Cranston, Jonathan Olivera and Milly Massey of Providence, Frank O'Donnell of North Providence, and Tobias Wilson of Connecticut, complete the ensemble.

Inherit the Wind will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from March 29 - April 16. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, March 29 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, March 30 at 2:00 and 7:30 pm. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except April 5), Thursday (except April 13), Friday, and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Thursdays (except April 13), Saturdays (except April 1 and 8) and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI's Mike Maino, will follow the 2pm performance on Sunday, April 2.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, RI. Tickets are $34 for preview performances, $34-$49 for all other performances except Thrifty Thursday (April 6) when all tickets are priced at a $10 discount ($24-$39). $25 "Rush" tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Additional discounted rates may be available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 921-1777 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon - 6:00 pm, Saturdays from 12 noon - 4:00 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 921-6800.

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC) is a professional not-for-profit regional theatre whose mission is to preserve and pass on the tradition of live, professional theatre - including the American musical - and to pursue avenues of enrichment and education for the benefit of the state of Rhode Island and the surrounding region through the theatre arts. OSTC, which re-opened and ran the historic Theatre By The Sea in Matunuck, RI from 2007-2012 and began producing shows in Warwick, RI in 2012, is an IRS designated not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.

(from left) Tom Gleadow, Mark Cartier and BranDon Whitehead star as Henry Drummond, Judge Merle Coffey and Matthew Harrison Brady in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
BranDon Whitehead as Matthew Harrison Brady addresses the townspeople of Hillsboro in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
(foreground from left) BranDon Whitehead, Tom Gleadow and Mark Cartier (rear) star as Matthew Harrison Brady, Henry Drummond, and Judge Merle Coffey in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
Nora Marie Eschenheimer as Rachel Brown visits her jailed fiancé, Bertram Cates, portrayed by Marc Dante Mancini, in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
(foreground from left) Tom Gleadow, Steven Liebhauser and Marc Dante Mancini star as Matthew Harrison Brady, E.K. Hornbeck and Bertram Cates in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
(from left) BranDon Whitehead, Karen Gail Kessler and Tom Gleadow portray Matthew Harrison Brady, Mrs. Sarah Brady and Henry Drummond in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek
It’s a circus-like environment in Hillsboro as the town prepares for the “Monkey Trial� in Jerome Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee’s Tony® Award-winning play, Inherit the Wind, which is on stage at Ocean State Theatre in Warwick through April 16. For tickets call (401) 921-6800 or visit www.OceanStateTheatre.org. photo by Mark Turek