Union College News Release 2-25-11: Twelve Angry Jurors Opens Feb. 24 at Union College Theatre

Union College Theatre Presents 12 Angry Jurors

Twelve Angry Jurors Opens Feb. 24 at Union College Theatre

Twelve Angry Jurors, a mixed gender version of Twelve Angry Men, is Union College Theatre's spring production. The play is scheduled to open on Thursday, February 24 and continue February 25, 26, and March 4, 5. Curtain for all performances is 8:00 p.m. and admission is $5.00.

Judge Greg Lay, playing the part of the Judge, begins his instructions to the jury with "Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts."

An eighteen year old man/boy has just been tried for stabbing his father to death. If found guilty, his penalty is death.

At the end of the Judge's instructions, the jury files out of the courtroom and into the jury room to deliberate. They are locked in and cannot leave until they reach a unanimous verdict.

They take a preliminary vote. To eleven it is an "open and shut case" of guilt. Only one juror feels there is "a reasonable doubt."

Tempers get short, arguments grow heated and the jurors become increasingly angry. Although a foreign-born juror reminds the others that "we have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict. We should not make it a personal thing," it is very personal. Emotional baggage threatens rational deliberation.

Maddie Peterson, appearing on the UCT stage for the first time, takes on the character of the lone holdout. She faces the strong objections of Dan Covington, who plays the leader of the opposition.

With the exception of Covington—last seen as Ben Hubbard in The Little Foxes—the remainder of the cast are students. Familiar faces are Krystal Webb, Samantha Caldwell, Jason Johnson, and Chris Adams.

New faces are Cortni Thrasher, Patricia Nardy and Samson Warren. Normally working backstage but onstage for this production are Steven Middleton, Keith Parker, Steven Rodriguez and Chris Osborne. Alessandra Tavoloni serves as an alternate juror.

Pamela Napier once more heads the Technical Staff as Stage Manager. She is joined by another veteran, JoAnna Ezell, who does some set painting as well as serve as Manager of the Props. Rounding out the crew are Jessica Aldrich, Michael Amadeo, Heather Miller, Chris Osborne, Tiffany Pilarsky, and Ashley Ramirez.