12 Angry Men presented by CCSU Theatre Department
Oct 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27
What: 12 Angry Men at CCSU Theatre Department
When: Oct 23, 24, 25, 26 & 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Black Box Theater, Maloney Hall, Central Connecticut State University
Tickets: Call CENtix 860-832-1989
Photos: www.theatre.ccsu.edu/pr.html
CCSU Assistant Professor of Theatre Sheila Siragusa delivers up a tension-filled, straight-forward treatment of Reginald Rose’s deeply affecting chronicle of civic duty in 12 Angry Men - a beloved favorite of television- and film-lovers since its debut in 1954. The show didn’t hit Broadway until 2004, when it won a Drama Desk award.
The New York Times calls the story “as familiar and brisk as a rerun of “Law & Order” in its accumulation of metropolitan details. It observes a cross-section of New Yorkers who gather in a dreary room, one hot summer afternoon, to consider the fate of a 16-year-old boy accused of killing his father.”
CCSU’s production is distinct in its addition women and people of color in the cast. “It adds interesting depth to an already rock solid play,” says Siragusa.
Rose’s play deals directly with issues of civic responsibility and educates about the actual role of the jury to maintain the “innocent until proven guilty” dictum. It throws these twelve, radically different individuals, into a hot room and dares them to deal with issues of power, mob mentality, race, class, bigotry, and bullying.
“The intelligence and creative savvy of this particular group of actors are exceptional,” Siragusa says, and then adds, “It makes this process very challenging and even a little bit dangerous in a great way.”
In a twist that brings real life unusually close to the world of the play, the state of Connecticut will be using footage from CCSU’s production to educate jurors about the nature of their duty when they are called to serve.
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