Sixty-five years ago, Ronald Rose wrote a teleplay focused on so much of what might happen after lawyers have made their closing arguments in a murder trial, and before final verdict was read. [1]
The story played out in a single room, where exactly one dozen jurors debated their assignment to decide the fate of a defendant charged with murder — the penalty for which would be death.
This weekend, our Saline High School (SHS) Drama Club will bring that story to life on the Ellen A Ewing Performing Arts Center stage with 12 Angry Jurors. Title and casting are the only substantive differences here, updated to reflect the reality of a composition not limited to all males. [2,3]
Chances are, the vast majority of Saline Journal readers will know plot and outcome of its progenitor, 12 Angry Men, starring the late Henry Fonda. Most have likely seen it, maybe even more than once. Those who have not, or could use a refresher on its important nuances, are strongly encouraged to watch that movie as a homework assignment to get the most out of what promises to be a quite satisfying live performance this weekend. [4-8]
12 Angry Jurors is not a casual ride en route to hoped, if not predicted result. Neither does it provide ear-candy through pithy dialogue or debate take-downs that carried =The West Wing through the years when Rob Lowe was there on screen. [9,10]
In this jury room, it will be each individual who alone sets out what peers, and members of the theater audience, will make of each speaker based on what is said by that person alone.
As such, one of the most difficult part of producing 12 Angry Jurors must have been in first selecting its actors. Other than the thirteen part (the bailiff, who briefly enters and exits scenes when called upon), all other roles are under the lights throughout. This means finding a way to both act present and in character without distracting or upstaging focus on action that is constantly shifting from here to there.
During dress rehearsal earlier today, this was cleverly evidenced through overt acts such as knitting and reading a newspaper. More subtly, too, as with the woman seemingly determined to fill a legal pad on the desk in front of her with notes or doodles, yet invariably ready, eager to insert herself into moments of anticipated physical confrontation.
To be sure, there are a few larger parts to be played here, a few rather smaller ones, and many in the middle. Unlike “typical” productions, however, this is not a story that can be carried by strong leads. Each actor, when called upon, needs to rise up and command all eyes upon them: Where has he or she come from? What is the basis for their arguments and the way they make decisions? Who do they become — and why — as deliberations unfold?
Our SHS Drama Club has done an exceptional job in this regard. This is an incredibly well-balanced cast of performers, not a weak link to be found.
In terms of accessibility as a story, 12 Angry Jurors may best be viewed structurally by audience members taking note of jury votes when they are called. Broadly, what are the numbers each time, for and against? How are those votes explained and by whom? Would a change in any one, two, or more jurors resulted in a different outcome? Is that fair?
And who cares today, now six-plus decades after the original angry men convened to deliberate?
12 Angry Jurors performances are scheduled as follows.
- Friday, November 22, 2019 with curtain at 7:30pm [12]
- Saturday, November 23, 2019 with curtain at 7:30pm [13]
- Sunday, November 24, 2019 with curtain at 2:00pm [14]
The cast includes Samantha Dobrowolski, Cristina Gonzalez, John Harrell, Eliza Larsen, Ian Lebert, Alayna Musson, Margie Raupp, Maya Scott, Emma Terris, Ava VerLee, Gabe Walkowiak, Hannah Weatherly, and Wesley Welt. Directed and produced by Kristen Glatz, and student directed by Sarah Burgess and Courtney Pellerin.
See Flickr for additional photographs exclusive to Saline Journal. [14]
References
- “Ronald Rose” Ronald Bergan (April 22, 2002) The Guardian.
- SHS Drama Club (home page).
- “Twelve Angry Jurors” Saline High School Drama Club.
- “12 Angry Men (1957)” IMDb.
- “Henry Fonda (1905-1982)” IMDb.
- “Hollywood’s 100 Favorite Films” (June 25, 2014) The Hollywood Reporter.
- “The 100 Greatest Movies” (March 20, 2018) Empire.
- “The 50 best movies of all time, according to critics” John Lynch (August 4, 2018) Business Insider.
- “The West Wing” IMDb.
- “Rob Lowe” IMDb.
- “Performance: ’12 Angry Jurors’” (November 22, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Performance: ’12 Angry Jurors’” (November 23, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Performance: ’12 Angry Jurors’” (November 24, 2019) Saline Journal.
- “Dell Deaton” (Flickr feed).
