by Tony Annicone
The fourth show of The Players 109th season is “Twelve Angry Jurors” by Reginald Rose, adapted by Sherman L. Sergel and directed by Patricia Hawkridge. This popular play was adapted from a live 1954 teleplay that debuted on CBS Studios’ series “Studio One in Hollywood.” In 1957, the famous Henry Fonda movie was produced and the stage show came about in 1964. The show is about a 19 year old man who has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. He doesn’t stand a chance as the jury takes their first tally. It looks like an open and shut case until one of the jurors starts opening the other jurors’ eyes to the facts. “This is a remarkable thing about democracy” says the foreign born juror, “that we are notified by mail to come down to this place and decide on the guilt or innocence of a man; a man we have not known before. We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict. We should not make it a personal thing.” But personal it does become, with each juror revealing their own character as the various testimonies are re-examined, the murder re-enacted and a new murder threat is born before their eyes. Tempers get short, arguments grow heated, and suddenly they become twelve angry jurors. Patricia gives each of her performers a chance to shine in their individual scenes, while keeping the interest of her audience from start to finish. The audience becomes enthralled with the dramatic acting of her talented cast. She also infuses some humorous moments along the way to temper the dramatic ones.
The characters in the show have no names, just Juror numbers. Neil Santoro commands the stage as Juror #8, the dissenting juror. He gets the others to put on their thinking caps. He prods and probes each detail to the case, showing there is reasonable doubt. He returns in triumph to the stage after a six year hiatus. Jeff Sullivan as Juror #12 is a marketing agent who tries to bring order after Juror #8 votes not guilty. The angriest Juror #3 who is excellently played by Nicholas Menna. Juror #3 shows the torment of a parent having quarreled with his son, bringing that bias to this case. Stephen L. Hug plays the eldest Juror #9 who explains the motives of the old man who supposedly witnessed the suspect fleeing the crime. Michael Anthony as Juror #10 is a prejudiced filled bigot who doesn’t believe the suspect is innocent because poor people like him lie all the time. The foreign juror #11 is excellently played by Amanda O’Bannon who handles the foreign accent and many lines with ease. She points out the error of American ways. Juror #7 is terrifically played by Marcia Layden. The character is bitchy and argumentative and is in a hurry to leave to go to see “Hello Dolly.”
The rich businesswoman is marvelously played by Carole Collins as Juror #4 who seems to be above other members of the jury. She really makes her points count when admitting that she’s wrong by exclaiming she wants to scratch his eyes out. Bonnie Sullivan as Juror #4 keeps time with the second hand on the watch and wears glasses to see the time, providing a clue for the witness testimony. Rachel Nadeau as Juror #5 is the poor juror who sympathizes with the suspect’s upbringing while Kevin Thibault as Juror #6 calms things down during one of the crisis in the jury room. Cathy Fox shines as Juror #1 who is the foreman of the jury who keeps control of the jury by demanding counts and recounts of the verdict by the fellow jurors. So for a well written, well acted and well directed dramatic show that still resonates today after 60 years, be sure to catch “12 Angry Jurors” at The Players before time runs out.
12 ANGRY JURORS (9 to 18 March)
The Players, Barker Playhouse, 400 Benefit St, Providence, RI
1(401)273-0590 or www.playersri.org
