"THE BIG EVENT"
for AMERICAN MONKEYS
A re-CREATION of the SCOPES MONKEY TRIAL
STAGED READING of the TRIAL TRANSCRTIPS
Plus
LIVE 1920s MUSIC
Carnival GAMES
Handmade Monkey Merch
and MUCH MORE.
Saturday, July 26th 2-7PM
At the Westminster Presbyterian Church
The Event is FREE!
Donations are WELCOME!
(Including event timeline, cast, and FAQs.)
^^^Cartoons from the 1925 trial.
The Scopes Monkey Trial Transcripts come to life in a world-premiere event this summer! Join New Fortune as we celebrate the centennial (July 1925-July 2025) by recreating this epic event, The Great Debate, where science, religion, education, and legislation collided in America's consciousness— 100 years ago.
Come hear the powerful speeches and passionate arguments made in the "courtroom" and enjoy the fair-like entertainments on the "courthouse lawn," including LIVE 1920s MUSIC, BOOK SALES, CATAPULTING MONKEYS into "HELL,"
and MUCH MORE.
American Monkeys ain't Inherit the Wind. This here's the Truth of History.
"We have done crossed the Rubicon!"
Because New Fortune believes there should be no barrier to anyone being able to attend great
public events, we will not be charging admission.
AMERICAN MONKEYS is FREE and ALL ARE WELCOME.
Bring the kids. Bring the neighbors. Bring your sweetheart. Bring your friends.
Donations make Public Programming like American Monkeys possible!
So please consider giving a financial gift here online or at the event to
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT.
Recommended donation $20 or “Pay The Fine to Violate The Law” $100.
We hope you’ll be part of AMERICAN MONKEYS.
AMERICAN MONKEYS is brought to you by
The New Fortune Theatre Co. in proud partnership with
The Westminster Presbyterian Church's Committee of Peace and Justice,
The Friends of the San Diego Public Libraries,
The San Diego Public Library Foundation,
What is 'American Monkeys'? The Scopes Monkey Trial Transcripts, in their first-ever published abridgment.
Created by A.J. Schaar & workshopped by New Fortune in collaboration with experts in theology, science, civil rights, history, humanities, education, and of course, the literary and performing Arts.
Available free online and for purchase where books are sold
Click "THAT BOOK!" cover for details.
(You will be directed to the author's website ajschaar.com)
"An American Monkey is much wiser than most men." - Charles Darwin
"You cannot destroy thought." - Clarence Darrow
"They shut God out of the world." - William Jennings Bryan
"You people come to hear a trial. This is not a circus!" - The Bailiff
"Let them have both! Let them both live!" - Dudley Field Malone
"We are great when we fight the battle out and be friends."
- Judge Raulston
Previously, by The New Fortune Theatre Co.
NEWS from when NEW FORTUNE last SMASHED onto STAGE...
(Literally, we SMASHED that window pane. After doing a lot of R&D with smash glass notably involving vacuum chambers...)
New Fortune Won 2024 San Diego Craig Noel Award for
OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE: RICHARD BAIRD, PUBLIC ENEMY
“Nothing topped the visceral thrills of watching this edge-of-the-seat thriller…”
UNION TRIBUNE: Top 10 San Diego County theater and opera productions of 2023
“Public Enemy, New Fortune Theatre Company. This is the only production on this list that I saw twice…”
STAGE WEST: The Best in San Diego Theater for 2023
“Baird’s high-wire performance in the 90-minute thriller was the best, and most fearless, performance I saw all year, and the bare-bones physical production…outshone many of the big-budget shows I saw at theaters 10 times the size.
This theater company has no home theater and no season subscription, and it only produces about one show each year. But I’ve learned that anything New Fortune produces is a must-see that almost always ends up on my “best of the year” list.
UNION TRIBUNE: Year in review: 5 memorable events in San Diego theater in 2023
Review: ‘Public Enemy’ an edge-of-the-seat thriller about one man taking on the world
"...a tour de force performance... raw, furious, often funny and ultimately devastating.
It’s must-watch theater.
“Public Enemy” is thought-provoking, entertaining and definitely worth seeing before it closes on July 2."
- Pam Kragen
"Relentless, edge-of-your-seat...
This thought-provoking piece strikes with a visceral, volatile message that gut-slams into the reality of today’s politics...
Do see this play!"
- Jenni Prisk
"It's thrilling.
It's a triumphant performance.
New Fortune Theatre Company's PUBLIC ENEMY is remarkable... rich with spirited performances... consistently entertaining... you come out of the show drained from the emotional investment... but at the same time on a high from the energy of the production."
-David Coddon
"Intensely Relevant."
-Cassiopeia Guthrie
"Perfect... Powerful... Painful."
Alejandra Enciso-Dardashti
"Formidable... A riveting descent...
...The idea [that] truth is dangerous to the “greater good” as defined by those in power has always been a relevant one."
- ErinMarie Reiter
Broadway World Review: PUBLIC ENEMY at New Fortune Theatre Company
"...One of the best shows I’ve seen all year — and that’s counting the eight Broadway shows I attended...
New Fortune Theatre Company is presenting “Public Enemy,” a thrilling, 90-minute adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” in the small theater at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Point Loma.”
Director and star Richard Baird delivered some of the best acting I’ve seen in 2023 for an audience of maybe 25 people. Baird, and New Fortune, deserve a much bigger audience and more donors."
-Pam Kragen