"Inherit the Wind," the 1955 play about the Scopes trial, is back on Broadway for the third time. When it first ran, the science of evolution wasn't controversial. Today it is. In this hour, we'll look at the challenges of putting science on stage as we talk to playwrights and others involved in two new plays.

"Serendib", now playing in New York, tells the story of a team of scientists studying a troop of monkeys in Sri Lanka. After a television crew arrives to document the research, the scientists' behavior begins to resemble the monkeys'. "The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial"-- unlike "Inherit the Wind" -- is based almost entirely on transcripts of the Scopes trial itself. We'll talk with artists involved in both productions.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Video: Serendib
Video: Macaque Researchers (upon which Serendib characters are based)

Guests:
David Zellnik
Playwright, "Serendib"
New York, New York

Don Melnick
Science advisor, "Serendib"
Thomas Hunt Morgan Professor of Conservation Biology
Columbia University
New York, New York

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Ed Asner
Actor/Civil Rights Activist
"William Jennings Bryan" in "The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial"
Founding member, L. A. Theatre Works
Los Angeles, California

Peter Goodchild
Science Producer
Playwright, "The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial"
Exeter, Devon, UK

Susan Albert Loewenberg
Producing Director, "The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial"
L.A. Theatre Works
Los Angeles, California

Books/Articles Discussed:

"The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial" Starring Charles Durning, Edward Asner and Tyne Daly (CD)

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Ann Marie Cunningham