UNCW Presents Production of The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, Stars Ed Asner 2/10/2009 12:25:02 PM  E-Mail In celebration of this year's 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, L.A. Theatre Works, the country's leading radio theater company, performs The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial with a cast starring Edward Asner, Michael Winters and Jerry Hardin at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in UNCW's Kenan Auditorium as part of the UNCW Arts in Action Performance Series. Based on transcripts of the famous Scopes trial and written by Peter Goodchild, the play is presented in a radio-theatre format with live sound effects. The actors will host a post-performance discussion with audience members and WHQR Public Radio will record the Wilmington production for a one-time re-broadcast. Travel back in time to a sweltering, tension-filled courtroom to experience first-hand the dramatic "monkey" trial as it took place more than eighty years ago. The trial of Scopes, a high school science teacher who challenged state law by teaching evolution instead of creationism, set the stage for the ongoing national debate over the freedom of inquiry and the separation of church and state. The terms have changed -- what was once a battle between science and faith has now been reframed between evolution and intelligent design, an approach to life's beginning put forth by the Seattle-based Discovery Institute -- but the passion remains as divisive as ever. Under the leadership of Producing Director Susan Albert Loewenberg, L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) has been the foremost radio theater company in the United States for two decades. Broadcast in America on NPR and XM Satellite Radio, internationally on the BBC, CBC, Voice of America and many other English language networks, LATW has single-handedly brought the finest recorded dramatic literature into the homes of millions since its founding in 1974. They have also delighted and challenged audiences in more than 100 small towns and major cities across the United States with theatre that is immediate, spontaneous and features a first-rate cast, live sound effects and a powerful connection to the audience. The UNCW cast for this production features Edward Asner as William Jennings Bryan; Michael Winters as Clarence Darrow; Arye Gross as Arthur Garfield Hayes; Jerry Hardin as Judge John Raulston; and James Gleason as H.L. Mencken. Carolyn Seymour will serve as the narrator. Joining the cast for the Wilmington date is Rylan Morsbach a UNCW theater major, who will play a student called to testify in the trial. The play anchors a three-day arts residency program at UNCW, which also features an "Actors' Talk Back" event with members of the cast who will discuss their craft. This event is free and open to the public. The Actors' Talk Back event, "Inside Acting," will be at the WHQR's gallery space (Montage Gallery) on 254 N. Front St. from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Mon., Feb. 16. Three actors from the play, including Ed Asner, participate in a discussion about their work on TV, stage and screen. Linda Lavin, award-winning singer and actress who resides in Wilmington, NC, will moderate this discussion. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling UNCW Presents at 910.962.3285 or emailing artsinaction@uncw.edu. Tickets are $6 for UNCW students; $10 for non-UNCW students; $18 for UNCW employees and senior citizens; and $22 for the general public. Call Kenan Box Office at 910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643 outside the Wilmington area or visit www.uncw.edu/presents. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and one hour prior to the event. The Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the general public through the presentation of diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. For more information, visit www.uncw.edu/presents.