Jury in for ‘12 Angry Men’

Star Beacon

April 09, 2008 06:19 pm

— ASHTABULA — It appears to be an open-shut case.
The evidence was overwhelming.
Witnesses claim to have seen the murder. The defense attorney didn't have much to say.
Eleven men vote guilty. But Juror 8 can't cast that vote. Not yet. A guilty vote means death to the young man. Juror #8 thinks it deserves serious discussion. He wants to talk.
G. B. Community Theatre's production of the intense and riveting “12 Angry Men" opens tonight at the Ashtabula Arts Center and runs for two weeks, today through Sunday and April 17, 18 and 19. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m. The Sunday matinee begins at 3 p.m.
What appears to be an open and shut case becomes a twisted puzzle of prejudice and intrigue when, on the hottest day of the year, 12 jurors debate their opinions behind closed doors. One by one the incriminating evidence and witnesses begin to show faults. Juror 8 becomes convinced of the young man's innocence and takes on the overwhelming task of convincing the others. All twelve men are forced to look beyond the show of the courtroom and face themselves in order to unearth the shocking truth.
“Twelve Angry Men” not only portrays the jury process, it criticizes it as well. Prejudice and apathy show through. Nothing is certain. Justice is merely something that can be talked into or out of. Each of Rose's characters carries a distinct personality which comes into play in the story. Every man's personal feelings affect the verdict.
Based on the Emmy-award winning show by Reginald Rose and adapted for the stage by Sherman Sergel, "12 Angry Men," is a fierce powerhouse of a drama that was inspired by Rose's stint on a jury in 1954.
“It was such an impressive, solemn setting in a great big wood-paneled courtroom, with a silver-haired judge,” Rose said in a Daily News interview before his death in 2002. “It knocked me out. I was overwhelmed. I was on a jury for a manslaughter case and we got into this terrific, furious, eight-hour argument in the jury room. I was writing one-hour dramas for ‘Studio One’ then and I thought, wow, what a setting for a drama.”
Rose went on to say, however, that the story he wrote was in no way based on the trial proceedings he witnessed in court.
Cast includes Tom Udell of Conneaut as the foreman, Larry Gasch of Conneaut as Juror 2, Wayne Howell of Geneva as 3, Fred Robsel of Ashtabula as 4, Phil Mullet of Geneva as 5, Dennis Dixon of Geneva as 6, Dennis Boyle of Ashtabula as 7, Tom Jessup of Geneva as 8, Curtiss Barron of Williamsfield as 9, Clay Nielsen of Madison as 10, Tom Milligan of Austinburg as 11, Ken Johnson of Kingsville as 12, Jim Tupa of Conneaut as the guard, and Tom Harris of Conneaut as the judge's voice.
Dinner will be available prior to the show on April 12. Reservations were due Wednesday.
For show tickets call (440) 964-3396 or visit the arts center box office. Tickets are $12 patrons, $10 adults, $9 seniors and $8 students/children.

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