Distinct Voices
‘12 Angry Men’ Begins Friday At Little Theatre
Sometimes the wisdom of an angry old man has to be heard.
And for Adam Hughes, he hears 12 of them.
Literally.
Hughes is directing “12 Angry Men” that will be performed at The Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, 18 W. Second St.
Hughes said what is appealing about “12 Angry Men” is there are many good parts.
“When you’re in community theater, when you’re a man of a certain age, there’s not a ton of good roles to choose from,” Hughes said. “You’re relegated to the grandpa character or the old neighbor. And this one (drama), there are so many juicy parts for older guys.”
And not any of the parts are the same.
“They (the characters) all have deep facets to their personalities and their own demons and their own things they’re fighting for,” Hughes added.
A 19-year-old man has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. It looks like an open-and-shut case until one of the jurors begins opening the other jurors eyes to the facts. It begins to get personal as each juror revealing his or her own character as the various testimonies are re-examined, the murder is re-enacted and a new murder threat is born before their eyes. Tempers get short, and arguments grow heated – lbltj.com.
According to LBLTJ President Holly Weston the selection committee carefully researches classic works each season to include in our curated variety of shows for the community.
” ’12 Angry Men’ stood out as a compelling choice because it offers a truly unique and unforgettable audience experience,” Weston said. Weston added.
For the production, Weston noted, seating will be arranged in the round, creating an immersive experience that places the audience at the heart of the action. Seats will encircle the stage, offering an intimate view of the jurors as they deliberate.
“This format brings an added layer of intimacy and tension to the story, ensuring it will resonate deeply with audiences long after the performance,” Weston said. “This unique setup invites you to engage with the drama from all angles, enhancing the emotional impact of each moment. Whether you’re seated near the stage or in our house seats, you’ll feel drawn into the intensity of the jury room.”
For patrons who prefer a more traditional viewing experience, a select number of house seats will also be available, providing excellent perspectives without compromising comfort, Weston said.
Hughes is grateful for having a talented cast.
“It really makes my job really, really easy,” Hughes said.
And Earl Rothfus who plays Juror Eight said Hughes makes the acting easier, and that he is not really directing the actors.
“You really don’t, Rothfus said. “You really feel like he’s letting you explore what you want to be in the character.”
Other cast members include Noah Goodling as the Foreman, Bob Schlick as Juror Two, Adam Owens as Juror Three, Matt Smith as Juror Four, Justine “Danger” Russ as Juror Five, Steven Cobb as Juror Six, John Picket as Juror Seven, Martin Swalboski as Juror Nine, Daniel Pierce as Juror 10, Andrew Hobbs as Juror 11, Bob Lingle as Juror 12, John Canning-Flanders as the Bailiff, and Jim Foley as the Judge.
Performances are scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m., Feb. 7 at 7 p.m., Feb. 8 at 7 p.m., and Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. For ticket information visit lbltj.com.