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.

Read more “12 ANGRY JURORS – The Players, Barker Playhouse, Providence, RI”