The School of Law will host live theatrical performances by award-winning actor Gary Anderson titled “Clarence Darrow’s Search for Justice” on Nov. 18 in the Chapel. As part of a national tour, there will be showings at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free, but pre-online registration is required by Nov. 15 at www.law.uga.edu/clarence-darrow-performance.
Anderson’s one-man portrayal of Darrow, who lived from 1857 to 1938, depicts the legendary attorney who fought against the death penalty, social injustice, racism, conspiracy laws and civil liberties violations. Probably most well known for his role in the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, Darrow was often referred to as the “attorney for the damned” and the “lion of the courtroom.”
“Clarence Darrow’s trials and the legal issues he tackled are still as relevant and controversial today as they were in the early 1900s,” said Thomas A. Eaton, professor of law and show coordinator. “This performance is a must see for anyone interested in the relationship between government, politics, social justice and the law.”
During the show, Anderson will take the audience through a variety of Darrow’s cases including the Scopes “Monkey” Trial (with the American Civil Liberties Union), the Sweet Murder Trials (with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), The People v. Clarence Darrow Jury Tampering Trials and The Los Angeles Times Bombing Trial of the McNamara Brothers (with the American Federation of Labor). He also will explore issues surrounding Darrow’s cases such as killing in self defense, the death penalty, legal ethics, creationism versus Darwinism, the credibility of witnesses, civil rights and freedom of speech.
