Twelve Angry Men

Orange Park Community Theatre Production

A jury of twelve men is empanelled to decide the fate of a young man accused of murdering his stepfather. The prosecution and the defense have concluded their arguments, and now it’s the jury’s turn. It’s a hot summer day, they have personal business to conduct, and they are in a rush to get the job done and go home.

Witnesses make their decision appear simple. The man is obviously guilty. He bought a switchblade knife and stabbed the victim. An elderly man downstairs heard angry shouts, the body falling, and rushed out in time to see the murderer run down the stairs. Across the elevated railway, a woman saw the murder plunge his knife into the chest of the victim. Although a train was passing at the time, she could make out the action through the windows.

The foreman calls for the first ballot, but one juror votes not guilty. He states he has reasonable doubts. How can he doubt the word of two witnesses? Worse, how dare he hold his fellow jurors here against their will by that single act of dissent? Tempers flare along with the temperature.

Director Scott Smith and producer Michael Ray have done a great job of bringing this compelling drama to life. The mind-sets and prejudices of each juror are exposed as they argue the guilt or innocence of the accused. Twelve Angry Men is an intense story well told, and the actors skillfully take on the roles of individuals with their distinctive personalities. Jury members Gary Karp, Randy Tompkins, Mark Tessier, Todd Foster, Kris Knapp, Richard E. Haertel, Ray Chute, Clifford Renner, Bob Houston, Jim Bray, Bill Leseur, Reginald Partlow, Jr. and the bailiff, Joe Wilson, were so convincing that they appeared to truly become the characters they played. The Honorable Timothy R. Collins, a county judge, added a touch of realism with the contribution of his voice.

Twelve Angry Men will run performances through April 7. Orange Park Community Theatre is located at 2900 Moody Road, Orange Park. Ticket prices for this production are $12 for general admission, or $10 for students, seniors or military. Season tickets are also available. For more information see their website at www.opct.org. They recommend you call for reservations at 904-272-2599 or by email. A link is provided at the web site.

The Orange Park Community Theatre produces five full productions a year, plus four “Reader’s Theatre” productions. In June, they will offer a musical, “Gypsy.”