Notes from the Director:
"Murder in the first degree - premeditated homicide - is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts. You've heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fancy. One man is dead. the life of another is at stake. If there is a reasonable doubt in your minds as to the guilt of the accused... then you must declare him not guilty. If, however, there is no reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty. Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous." With these instructions, the 12 man jury begins deliberations in the first-degree murder trial of a 19-year-old accused in the stabbing death of his father, where a guilty verdict means an automatic death sentence.
Based on the 1957 made-for-TV movie, 12 Angry Men is more than just our eavesdropping on jury deliberations.
The case looks, on the surface, cut and dried. But one Juror, despite believing that the defendant is probably guilty, feels that the facts merit a cursory review before the jury hands in a guilty verdict. His insistence on a brief examination of the case seems to rub many on the jury the wrong way, as they continue to see the matter as open and shut.
The court case provides only a framework, however. The story's greatness lies in its bringing-together of twelve different men who have never met each other before and the interaction of their characters as each man brings his own background and life experiences into the case. What begins as an open and shut case of murder soon becomes a mini-drama of each of the juror's prejudices and preconceptions about the trial, the accused, and each other.
It's been fun working on this production with these twelve guys (and one girl) - trying to develop some background and dig deep to find what makes each character click. The actors have enjoyed finding roles with some "meat" to them. We hope you enjoy the show as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. As always, thank you for your continued support!
-Bill
