Local artist to portray lawyer
by Mary Barrera, south news editor

    A famous lawyer who defended the poor and fought the death penalty will be brought to life on the South Campus stage next month.

   Clarence Darrow, written by David W. Rintels, is a one-man show based on the life of the famous attorney.

   The South Campus drama department’s second play of the season is presented in collaboration with the Fort Worth Theatre.

   Jerry Russell, professional actor, plays Darrow.

   “People don’t know of Clarence Darrow any more, but he is one of the most famous lawyers in history. In times of tremendous upheaval (1890s to 1920s) before labor unions and when racial prejudice was unimaginable, Darrow took on cases for the working man, the poor and the minority,” he said.

   Darrow challenged the law and defended the rights of a science teacher to teach the theory of evolution in the Scopes trial. He defended Dr. Ossian Sweet, a black physician who bought a house in an all-white neighborhood in Detroit when that sort of thing was not done, Russell said.

   He saved Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two teenagers who committed murder, from execution in a trial prosecuted by William Jennings Bryant.

   “There was no question they were guilty. He only wanted to save their lives,” Russell said.

   Darrow was passionately against the death penalty. In his 12-hour summation, the judge reportedly wept, Russell said.

   The play is a progression of stories and trials.

   “It is like sitting down and having Clarence Darrow talk to you about his trials,” Russell said.

   “I did this show 15 years ago and have always wanted to do it again,” he said.

   Much information on Darrow can be found on the Internet if anyone becomes interested after seeing the play, Russell said.

   Russell, a veteran Fort Worth actor, founded Stage West in 1979. Though retired, he is still involved as an actor, director and member of its board of directors.

   “I have been acting since I was 10 years old. It turned from an avocation to a profession in 1978 when I decided to leave the business world and do nothing but theater,” he said.

   Russell has spent more than 50 years on stage in over 200 plays. He is pleased with Stage West’s student special.

   “For every performance, a half-hour before curtain, there is a Student Rush. Any full-time student (college, high school, middle school) may get in for the admission price of $5 on available tickets,” he said.

   Russell will direct Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit at Stage West later in the season. In the spring, he will perform in Pygmalion as Alfred Doolittle.

   Clarence Darrow begins Monday, Nov. 4, in the Carillon Theater in the Joe B. Rushing Center for Performing Arts. Performances are 11 a.m. Nov. 4-6 and 11-13 and 8 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and 14-15.

   Admission is free for TCC students, faculty and staff. Tickets for senior citizens, children and other students are $3, and all other tickets are $5.

   A special performance Saturday, Nov. 16, will be followed by a reception with Russell.

   Tickets for that show are $20, with the proceeds going to drama scholarships.

   For reservations and additional information, contact the South Campus box office at 817-515-4642 or 817-515-4526.