Clarence Darrow's Last Trial

For the last time in his career, Clarence Darrow pleads in a criminal court of law

The story takes place in 1932, set in various places in Chicago and Hawaii, when Darrow with his wife, Ruby, travels to Honolulu to defend a Pearl Harbor Naval Lieutenant accused of shooting a Hawaiian who allegedly led a gang rape on the Lieutenant's wife

The Cast

CLARENCE DARROW -70s. Tall, craggy, American looks. Wears red galluses, string tie, white shirt, crumpled gray linen suit, hat of the era. Rambunctious, strong, brilliant, egocentric, stubborn, but in his seniority, aging, at an extremely vulnerable time in his life and career RUBY DARROW - Middle-aged. Younger than Darrow. This is a second marriage for Darrow. Ruby was his secretary. They are deeply in love. She is totally devoted to him and his work. They are partners in work; she is intuitive about him and his strengths and she trusts her opinion. More now that he's older. She believes in the causes he fights as much as he does LIEUTENANT JOHN RAMSEY - Late 20s. Handsome. "All American" in looks and manner. A Naval officer, first Lieutenant, who bears himself as such. Sense of authority, in control of himself and others. Speaks with Southern accent DR DAVID STEIN - Middle aged. Dark, Jewish. Wears vest, doctors white coat, glasses/pince-nez),smokes pipe. Man of intelligence, an avant-garde doctor in the new field of psychiatry, coming into vogue at time of play REPORTER TOM LOU - 30s. Asian/white/mixed blood. An ambitious, bright, assertive man with depth, perception, humor. Wears mix of Hawaiian/American/Asian clothes. A straw hat of some sort. MRS. MONTEGU - 40-ish. Lieutenant Ramsey's mother-in-law; Theodie Ramsey's mother. Very aristocratic. WASP, Southern accent. A Southern matriarch from an old Southern plantation family in Atlanta that's kept its wealthCharming, grand in manner, a great hostess. Attractive. Seductive with men in her Southern way. Underneath is steel THEODORA (THEODIE) RAMSEY - early 20s. Lieutenant Ramsey's wife, and Mrs. Montegu's daughter. Aristocratic, elegant WASP: blonde, attractive. Southern accent. A little of the "20's flapper" and "Southern flirt." A bubbly, "little girl" aura NANILOA WHITEFIELD CHAN - 30s. The prosecuting attorney. Mixed blood: white, Chinese, and from a Royal Hawaiian Ali'i family. Bears herself as such. Extremely intelligent, strong, regal. A free-thinker. Beautiful and passionate. Wears dark crepe dress of the period, and a Hawaiian lei.

NB - doubling possible

"Shirley Lauro captures ... the infamous Massie Case ... a compelling writer" ~ American Theater Magazine

"The verdict on [Shirley Lauro's] latest play is that it can only add to her prizewinning ways" ~ The Entertainment News and Views

2004 NEA "Access to Excellence Award"

2001 New American History Play Prize