'Clarence Darrow', a play about the storied American lawyer, is coming to five Iowa cities in October

Clarence Darrow in 1915, photographed by Harris & Ewing

“History repeats itself — that’s one of the things wrong with history,” Clarence Darrow once said. Darrow, who died in 1938 at age 80, understood history, or at least how to make it. The most famous trial lawyer of his era, he mounted eloquent and ingenious defenses for the accused in some of the biggest trials of early 20th century America.

These days, Darrow is probably best remembered, when he’s remembered at all, as the acerbic attorney in the “Scopes Monkey Trial” challenging Tennessee’s ban on teaching evolution, or for his legendary eight-hour final speech in the Leopold and Loeb trial, which persuaded jurors not to impose the death penalty on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb for the “thrill kill” murder of Bobby Franks they committed as teenagers. Both Leopold and Loeb had already confessed to killing their 14-year-old schoolmate, so Darrow’s role as their attorney, and a fierce opponent of capital punishment, was just to prevent their likely executions.

When playwright David Rentils’ one-man show Clarence Darrow debuted on Broadway in 1974, Darrow’s name was still a popular synonym for “brilliant lawyer.” The show was an immediate hit with critics and audiences, in part because screen icon Henry Fonda played Darrow. But as half a century of revivals have shown, you don’t need a movie star for the play to succeed, you just need Darrow’s words.

Some of his most famous: “I have never killed any one, but I have read some obituary notices with great satisfaction.” And, “Chase after the truth like all hell and you’ll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat tails.”

Courtroom illustrations of Clarence Darrow advising the defense in the Moyer-Haywood case in Boise, Idaho, 1907.

Clarence Darrow features the “attorney for the damned,” as he was known to admirers and critics, reminiscing about his long career. Its monologues are based on transcripts from Darrow’s trials, as well as speeches he made, articles he wrote and interviews he gave. The play is by turns bitingly funny and moving, as Darrow reflects on his commitment to fighting against the odds to try to ensure justice, or at least some version of it when his client is convicted.

It’s only fitting that it’s the Iowa Labor History Society (ILHS) that’s bringing Clarence Darrow to venues around the state starting Oct. 5 — Darrow first earned his national reputation defending labor leaders and strikers during decades when belonging to a union or standing up for the rights of workers were almost crimes in themselves.

Patrick Spradlin of the Actors Repertory Theater in Brainerd, Minnesota, a veteran actor who has performed on stages throughout the Midwest, will portray Darrow in the two-act play.

Patrick Spradlin performs as Clarence Darrow. — photo by John Erickson of Art Matters Studio, courtesy of the artist
Patrick Spradlin performs as Clarence Darrow. — photo by John Erickson of Art Matters Studio, courtesy of the artist
Patrick Spradlin. — photo by John Erickson of Art Matters Studio, courtesy of the artist

In a news release about the shows, ILHS called Clarence Darrow “a classic that speaks powerfully to the most pressing issues of our time.” That’s also how audiences and critics felt when the play debuted in 1974. Nixon was still president, Watergate was still ongoing. People were ready to embrace the story of someone who remained true to his principles and fought for justice.

“Anyone can grow up to be President; now I’m beginning to believe it,” was a line that caused waves of laughter, when Fonda as Darrow delivered it. It’ll probably get a few laughs in October, too. History may not repeat itself, but it does contain lots of echoes.