[NEohioPAL] Berko review: 12 Angry Men (Palace Theatre/Playhouse Square)

[Roy Berko]

‘TWELVE ANGRY MEN’ gets superlative production at
Palace

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

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--Coolcleveland.com—

In the program notes for ‘TWELVE ANGRY MEN,’ now on
stage at the Palace Theatre, Gina Vernaci, Vice
President of Theatricals for Playhouse Square
Foundation writes, ’TWELVE ANGRY MEN’ reminds us that
a fair trial by our peers is among our essential
rights as Americans.”  In these days of reduction of
our civil rights by the Bush administration, the issue
is probably as relevant, if not even more significant,
than it was in 1954, the year in which the play was
set.

Vernaci also comments that the play raises the issues
of a jury made up of 12 white male jurors deciding the
fate of a minority offender.   Though not as common
these days, since women and minorities have been added
to juries, the problem of being “judged by our equals”
is still an issue in some jurisdictions and parts of
the country.   The O.J. Simpson murder trial is a case
in point.

TWELVE ANGRY MEN’ was originally written as a teleplay
which was shown in 1954 on ‘STUDIO ONE.’  It became a
major motion picture starring Henry Fonda, Lee J.
Cobb, Ed Begley, E.G. Marshall, Jack Warden, Ed Binns,
Martin Balsam and Jack Klugman.  The script was
rewritten into a stage play in 1964 by Reginald Rose. 
In 2006, Roundabout Theatre Company opened the first
New York production of the script.  It was such a
success that it was extended seven times, finally
running 32 weeks.  The success of that production
inspired the touring version.

The story centers on a jury meeting to decide the fate
of a black delinquent teenager.  It appears that a
guilty verdict will be quickly decided upon until a 
juror raises the possibility of “reasonable doubt.” 
>From that point on, the happenings take strange and
unexpected twists and turns.

The touring production is flawless.  The acting, the
directing, even the set add up to make an exciting
evening of theatre.

Under the direction of Scott Ellis, a play that could
be static, sizzles.  From the very start, as we hear
the off-stage voice of the judge giving the jury their
instructions, the oppressive heat in the room, both
the temperature and the temperaments, are crystal
clear.  The conflicts and even the humor are well
developed.  Each character is purely etched. 

Richard Thomas, probably best know for his role as
John Boy on ‘THE WALTONS,’ has an impressive
theatrical background that takes him far beyond his
media fame.  He is the perfect catalyst for
questioning the youth’s guilt, underplaying the role
to get maximum effect. 

Kevin Dobson (Juror Ten), who is best known for his
role as Telly Savalas's partner in the 1970s crime
drama ‘KOJAK,’ is impressive.

Julian Gamble (Juror Three) is the epitome of self
hatred as the angriest of the jurors.  Mark Morettini
(Juror Seven) is excellent, as is Alan Mandell (Juror
Nine) as the old man with an understanding of the
angst of life.  In fact, there is no weak cast member.
 

Capsule judgment:   ‘TWELVE ANGRY MEN’ is an
impressive production that should capture and keep the
attention of audiences, even if they’ve seen the film
or the play before.  Applause!  Applause!!

‘TWELVE ANGRY MEN’ runs through December 9 at the
Palace Theatre.  For tickets, call 216-241-6000,
800-766-6048 or go on line towww.playhousesquare.com. 


Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2007, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info
      
Roy's theatre and dance reviews appear regularly on NeOHIOpal, an on-line source.   To subscribe to this free service via the World Wide Web, visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.  His reviews also appear on www.coolcleveland.com


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