DAYTON, Tenn. — A scaled-down version of the annual Scopes trial re-enactment kicks off at the Rhea County Courthouse tonight with a movie and a two-man show.

Tom Davis, chairman of the Scopes Trial Festival and Bryan College spokesman, said this year’s production is very different from the trial re-enactment that has been a centerpiece of the festival for 20 years.

The festival highlights the trial of John T. Scopes, who was found guilty of teaching evolution at a Rhea County school in 1925.

This year’s show highlights the two most famous people in the trial — prosecutor William Jennings Bryan and defense attorney Clarence Darrow, Mr. Davis said.

“What I have heard from people that have seen it is that it’s an outstanding summary of Bryan’s life,” Mr. Davis said Thursday.

He said tonight’s performance will be the first time he has had a chance to see the new version. The movie “Inherit the Truth,” produced last year, also will be shown, he said. The festival also includes vendors, music and a musical petting zoo, Mr. Davis said.

The courtroom performance changed when Tony McCuiston, who directed and acted in the re-enactment, stepped down this year, Mr. Davis said. Five other cast members decided not to come back as well, he said.

A new director has been found and the play will be back in its old format next year, he said.

Dr. Ted Kachel, a retired professor and former theater director at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma, will play Mr. Bryan in the first part of the show, Mr. Davis said.

Dr. Kachel said he hopes to show festivalgoers some of the many inaccuracies in the play and movie.

“I sure hope so,” he said. “Most people today don’t know much about Mr. Bryan.”

Dr. Kachel said he has been doing an impression of Mr. Bryan since 1992. He will speak in character and show people that Mr. Bryan was more than just the Scopes trial attorney. He wants people also to see a man who helped change the Democratic Party and led a progressive movement, he said.

He will be joined in the second act by Rick Dye, a veteran Scopes Trial Festival actor who will portray Mr. Darrow. Together, the actors will portray the examination of Mr. Bryan by Mr. Darrow, a scene made famous in the movie “Inherit the Wind,” Dr. Kachel said.

Mr. Dye said he has played a radio personality in the play for almost 12 years. Mr. McCuiston played the part of Mr. Darrow for years, he said. Mr. Dye said he saw this as an opportunity to expand his acting.

“I’ve known for a couple of years Tony was stepping down,” he said. “I wanted to give it a shot, and I wanted the festival to keep going.”

He said this year’s version is more condensed and cuts “straight to the examination.” The special point of the show will be performing in the exact location where the trial took place 83 years ago.

“When you walk into that room, you’re stepping back into time,” Mr. Dye said.

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