Edward Asner and John Heard Join "The Great Tennessee Monkey Trail" at JCC

Evolve 2009 is a San Francisco city-wide celebration honoring the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of Species. The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) will be one of more than 20 local institutions participating in the celebration by hosting performances, lectures and activities.

The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial: Thurs. Jan. 22 at 8 pm Tickets: $30 - $50
The JCCSF Friend Center and L.A. Theatre Works present legendary stage and screen actors Edward Asner and John Heard in The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, narrated by Carolyn Seymour. L.A. Theatre Works' production of The Great Tennessee Monkey Trial, written by Peter Goodchild, is based entirely on original transcripts of the famous 1925 Tennessee v. John Scopes "Monkey Trial."

Scopes, a high school science teacher challenged the newly passed Tennessee legislature's "Butler Act" by teaching evolution instead of creationism. The trial quickly became a national battleground and drew the attention of fundamentalists and the ACLU. Clarence Darrow, William Jennings Bryan, H.L. Mencken, John Scopes - these unlikely heroic figures of this 20th century drama participated in a trial that set the stage for an ongoing national debate over the freedom of inquiry and the separation of Church and State. This was a national conflict of social and intellectual values played out in a small courthouse in rural Tennessee eighty years ago, yet these issues remain unresolved even today and the speeches and oratory from the trial still ring familiar.

Edward Asner appears as William Jennings Bryan, Arye Gross as Arthur Garfield Hayes, Jerry Hardin as Judge John Raulston, and James Gleason in the role of H.L. Mencken. John Heard plays the pivotal role of Clarence Darrow. Others in the cast include Matthew Patrick Davis, Matt Gaydos, Rob Nagle and Geoffrey Wade.

Charles Darwin, Evolution of a Naturalist: Tuesday, March 24 at 8 pm Tickets: $10 & $12

Noted anthropologist and historian at the American Museum of Natural History Richard Milner presents a roundup of his favorite Darwin adventure stories, presenting a new side of Charles Darwin and his peers through the enchanting work of a master storyteller. His tales include stories about extracting dinosaur bones during a Native American war, why Darwin's visit to slave countries confirmed his lifelong abolitionist beliefs, and how he predicted the existence of a moth with a foot-long tongue.

Charles Darwin: Live and In Concert: Thurs. March 26 at 8 pm Tickets: $15 - $25
Richard Milner offers his one-man musical about the life and times of Charles Darwin. Hailed by critics as "the thinking person's musical," This witty blend of song, history, science and madness will delight audiences of all ages.

The JCCSF is located at 3200 California Street (at Presidio), and since its grand opening in January 2004, it has welcomed over 5,000 individuals on a daily basis. For tickets to all events call 415/292-1233 or visit www.jccsf.org/arts.