A Passion for Justice: An Encounter with Clarence Darrow

In the one-man traveling production, A Passion for Justice: An Encounter with Clarence Darrow, professional actor Paul Morella portrays the legendary defense attorney’s most emotional and explosive summations, his pleas for mercy, and the showdown with William Jennings Bryan on the teaching of evolution from Darrow’s most famous case, the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial (TheState of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes).

The play was crafted primarily from Darrow’s own words, allowing audiences to hear verbatim his arguments not only in Scopes, but other famous courtroom arguments including from the Leopold and Loeb trial and the landmark 1925 civil rights trial of Ossian Sweet.  However, it also explores the darker side of Darrow, examining the McNamara trial in which he was accused of bribery and jury tampering.

The production highlights what is perhaps Darrow’s greatest and most lasting contribution: His recognition that the courtroom was a powerful tool for social policy and change. His most celebrated and remembered cases involved issues that extended far beyond the interests of particular clients to the future of American society and justice.  And his powerful defenses of freedom of speech, integration, and fair labor practices, combined with his passionate attacks on intolerance, capital punishment and abuse of power are as timely, relevant and resonant today as they were back in his time.