See it now!

The Rhea Heritage Preservation Foundation (RHPF) is proud to announce the release of FRONT PAGE NEWS on DVD, even as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced cancellation of the annual festival.

This DVD, produced in a joint venture by the RHPF and the Cumberland County Playhouse, was filmed by Public Television station WCTE of Cookeville, TN, and aired originally on that station.
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FRONT PAGE NEWS, is an original script by Deborah DeGeorge Harbin and adapted with music by Jim Crabtree. New and adapted lyrics were developed by Bobby Taylor and Jim Crabtree, with selected new songs and music by Bobby Taylor. Piano/vocal arrangements are by Ann Crabtree, with guitar arrangements by Bobby Taylor.

FRONT PAGE NEWS is a dramatization of the 1925 Scopes Evolution Trial, which pitted three-time presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan, a leading spokesman for evangelical Christianity, against Clarence Darrow, arguably the premiere defense attorney – and outspoken agnostic — in the case of a teacher charged with violating Tennessee’s new anti-evolution law.

Beginning with the plan to test the new law, the story moves through efforts to recruit the teacher – John T. Scopes – through the entrance of Bryan and Darrow into the case, and acknowledges the worldwide interest in the case. With dialogue taken from the trial transcript and other historical records, viewers will get a glimpse of the case and the media circus which surrounded it.

DVDs of FRONT PAGE NEWS are available from the RHPF for $20. Email rheaheritagefoundation@gmail.com or call our office at 423-680-9896 to place your order and arrange delivery options. Arrangements can be made to have your order delivered in person at a location in Dayton or your order can be mailed. Please add $3.00 shipping and handling if your order is being mailed. Payment may be made by check, cash or credit card. For credit card purchases call our office.