American Monkeys
Witness The World's Most Famous Court Trial!
THE GREAT DEBATE!
State of Tennessee vs. John Thomas Scopes
This ain't Inherit the Wind. This here's the Truth of History.
"We have done crossed the Rubicon!"
ORIGINal trial transcripts Abridged by AJ Schaar
Evolution (workshop)
and Genesis (world-premiere) by
The New Fortune Theatre Co.
Join Us Monday, July 21st 6-8PM at The Central Library for
Our Premiere Staged Reading of Selections
Plus, "Talk-With" Actors and Audience.
Central Library: 330 Park Boulevard
Parking: 2 hours free in the Library parking lot with validation
Venue is wheelchair accessible.
Event is FREE. Donations are WELCOME.
And Don't Miss "THE BIG EVENT"
Saturday, July 26th 2-7PM
At the Westminster Presbyterian Church
for Our Full Atmospheric Staged Reading! With...
Live 1920s MUSIC!
~Concessions ~ GAMES ~ Monkey Merch~
CATAPULTING Monkeys into "Hell!"
BOOK SALE to Benefit the LIBRARIES!
And more to recreate the original trial's "fair-like" atmosphere!
Westminster Church: 3598 Talbot St
Parking: free in Church lots & plentiful street parking
Venue is wheelchair accessible.
Event is FREE. Donations are WELCOME.
^^^Cartoons from the 1925 trial.
The town of Dayton was described as a circus during the 8 days of the Scopes "Monkey Trial"... Clarence Darrow, one of the country's finest criminal lawyers and minds, was going head-to-head with William Jennings Bryan, 3-time presidential nominee and evangelical celebrity, to debate the Constitutionality of the brand new "antievolution law" that made it unlawful to teach any evolutionary theory that denied the Divine Creation as taught in the Bible.
All of America watched. All of the world watched. More cables were sent overseas to Europe and Australia about the Scopes Monkey Trial than had ever been sent about any other event in America, including the Civil War.
In part, this was because of Mr. Marconi's new technologies. And in large part, because this was a groundbreaking moment where science, religion, education, and legislation collided in the American consciousness.
Together, at the AMERICAN MONKEY events, let's explore the issues raised 100 years ago (July 1925-July 2025).
Issues that still echo loud today including: religion in schools, legislation in schools, law enforcement in schools, the politicization of faith, the censorship of books, the advancements of science, a circus-like press, and more...
...The issue that's perhaps most novel today, is how devoutly some of the trial’s arguments are made in the interest of RECONCILIATION. And with what courtesy, not just on the part of the defense, but of the prosecution also, these people treated each other, who opposed each other’s beliefs and “facts” to the very core of their natures.
Talk about spending a few interesting hours!
It’s a celebration of history, humor, and humanity—free and open to all.
Come for the whole thing or drop in respectfully—there will always be something captivating happening.
All are welcome.
Bring the kids. Bring your sweetheart. Bring the neighbors. Bring your friends.
The events are FREE. Donations are WELCOME.
This event is a unique opportunity to enjoy community storytelling, civic dialogue, and lifelong learning—all in one unforgettable afternoon. We hope you’ll be part of it.
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,
"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 up here 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
Preview our world's first "reader's edition" available to all online FREE.
(^^^Click the book cover to be see.)
Paperback version published by Black Chicken Unlimited, available soon.
BCU: the exclusively indie publishing house for most curious bk-bk-bk books.
QUESTIONS about AMERICAN MONKEYS?
email info@newfortunetheatre.com
You will hear from us within 24hrs.
Thank you! Always feel free to get in touch.
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