In an unusual approach to a classic play, York Drama will present “Twelve Angry Men” Feb. 2 to 5 with two alternating casts, one in keeping with the 1950s tone of the original production and one set in the present.
The classic courtroom drama, which had its origins as a teleplay by Reginald Rose and later a celebrated film starring Henry Fonda, follows deliberations as 12 jurors struggle with questions of doubt and guilt to decide the fate of a teenager on trial for murdering his abusive father.
In a news release, York Drama describes the setting: “The room is hot, tempers are hotter, and the fight for truth comes to a boil in this fast-paced, highly-celebrated play.”
“Dramatically, there are few shows as time-honored as ‘Twelve Angry Men,'” Rebecca Marianetti, director, said in the release. “And while many people feel they may already know the show, we are most proud of the discoveries we have found by choosing two casts that represent diverse perspectives, ideas, and upbringings.”
That translates to a double cast show featuring two tones. On Thursday (Feb. 2) and Saturday (Feb. 4), audiences will travel to the 1950s in a classic presentation of the play with a twist from the original story, in which all twelve jurors are men.
In a room full of men, one woman will stand alone in her attempt to cast reasonable doubt on the case. Alternatively, on Friday (Feb. 3) and Sunday (Feb. 5), a contemporary — and much more diverse – cast in 2023 will consider the question of guilt or innocence.
“Through the process, we’ve been struck by our students’ engagement in conversations on justice, gender, and truth,” Matt Bourke, director, said in the release. “And the remarkable connections they draw between this world and the world of the play as actors and citizens.”
According to York Drama, many in the community are familiar with the story. District 205 middle schools have been reading it for years as a study of the criminal justice system and American drama.
And of course, audiences of a certain age may still remember Fonda’s powerful performance as Juror Number 8 in the 1957 film.
A question relayed to Marianetti about either a change in title or a subtitle to reflect the change from all men to at least one woman brought a simple emailed response: “The title remains Twelve Angry Men for both casts.”
“Twelve Angry Men” will be presented Feb. 2-4 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 5 at 2 p.m. in the York High School Baker Auditorium. Tickets go on sale to the public Jan. 24, and will be sold for $15 at York Drama (yorkdrama.org).
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.