Reginald Rose’s courtroom drama “Twelve Angry Men” is one of those intense plays usually preceded by the word “gripping” in its description.
It’s also an exciting and engaging story that lets a theatre company delve into diverse personalities and prejudices and, done well, sucks the audience in with it.
For View From the Stage, Crestview’s community theatre troupe, tackling the complexities of “Twelve Angry Men” — or rather, “Twelve Angry People,” as women play several jurors — is an exciting risk.
With positive response last spring for the troupe’s “The Miracle Worker,” local audiences seem ready for a show that goes beyond light, fluffy musicals or comedies.
We’ll find out next weekend when Twelve Angry — um — Jurors take to the Warriors Hall on-stage jury room to deliberate the verdict that may send a young man to his death.
Director Berit Faust guides familiar cast members Nick Trolian, Sarah Hawkins, Joseph Kenkel, Jeremy Faust, Joseph Perna, Nancy Sabol, Ray Erlacher, Lincoln Sayger and Ron Walker.
Newcomers to VFTS casts include Crestview High School drama program alumnus Forrest Jenkins, the Rev. Silas Ford, Katrina Walker, James Kronmiller, Elizabeth Campbell and Victoria Martin.
“I first saw this story as the 1957 film starring Henry Fonda,” Berit Faust said. “I was riveted to the screen and had fallen in love with drama.
"I've wanted to produce this show for years and am thrilled to be directing a stellar cast.”
WANT TO GO?
WHAT: “Twelve Angry Men”
WHEN: 7 p.m. Nov. 14; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 15; and 2 p.m. Nov. 16
WHERE: Warriors Hall, Whitehurst Municipal Building, 201 Stillwell Blvd., at the corner of Industrial Drive, Crestview
COST: $12; tickets available at www.ViewFromTheStage.com or at the door
Email News Bulletin Arts Editor Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gripping courtroom drama opens in Crestview