'Inherit the Wind' too controversial in New Ulm

A New Ulm theater has canceled a production of "Inherit the Wind" after objections that the play is not compatible with the Bible.

The New Ulm Actors Community Theatre held auditions, found a place to put on the play, and began rehearsals when the director, a student at Martin Luther College, backed out. A college official confirmed to the New Ulm Journal the school asked the student not to participate because the play is critical of creationism.

Several actors left for the same reason, so the theater board voted to cancel the play, said New Ulm Actors Theatre Executive Director Paul Warshauer.

"This is America, the year is 2013," he said. "I think there's a good discussion to be had here about the power of thought and respect of all opinions, and that's what we were hoping to do with this play."

The theatre may do the play next year with a different director, said Warshauer.

Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized account of the 1925 Scopes "Monkey" Trial, which ended in a high school teacher's conviction under Tennessee law for speaking to a class about evolution.