"...Everyone Is Entitled To My Opinion." ~Madonna

Sunday, November 20, 2011

THEATER: Twelve Angry Jurors

Bald Eagle Area’s fall production was TWELVE ANGRY JURORS and it was worth a trip to Wingate on a Friday night. The cast and crew did a good job with setting the mood of a jury room while twelve people decide the fate of a young man on trial for murdering his father.

The suspense of the play mainly depends upon the actors and how well they can bring out the different personalities in the diverse group. Kathy Laird, Abby Cargo, Becca Bowling, Carol Fayman, Samantha Rougeux, Cody Mandell, and Clifford Smolko all did an excellent job of staying in character. Josh Koleno’s thoughtful expression in an early scene gave the audience the first indication that maybe the guilty vote might change.

For this play to be successful, the audience must stay involved. That means, the pace has to move, the lines have to be heard, and the characters understood. This was true with the entire cast, but exceptionally so with the major parts. Luke Besong as the bigot was important to the story line and he was extremely unlikable. Dale Haagen was classy; at times she was the calming voice.

The veterans Maggie Mehalko and Richard Spicer did an outstanding job. As a forceful, almost sadistic, person who wants this murderer off the street, Maggie did a powerful job. Richard Spicer was very believable as the soft spoken man who was willing to stand up for his convictions.

Director Lindsey Allison and her crew are to be congratulated.

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