CRESTVIEW — “Twelve Angry Men” is one major brawl you don’t want to avoid, because View From the Stage has done the Reginald Rose courtroom drama justice.
Under the deft direction of Berit Faust, who said she has always wanted to helm the classic play, a tremendous cast unweaves a tale of epic sizes in a setting of intimate proportion.
Twelve jurors repair to the jury room to deliberate what appears to be a clear case of murder. Their “guilty” verdict, all but unanimous, will send the accused to the electric chair.
But, as cranky Juror #10, played irritatingly well by Nancy Sabol, observes, “there’s always one in every crowd.”
And that one, Juror #8, played excellently by Joseph Perna, has just enough doubt that he can’t bring himself to go with the crowd, cast his “guilty” vote and let the others go home or, in the case of Juror #7, to a Yankees game.
From regionally familiar Perna flows a steady stream of doubt, until, under his gentle but persistent persuasion, other jurors begin to wonder if perhaps their own votes were a bit hasty.
“It’s very hard to keep personal prejudice out of this,” Perna’s #8 says.
His main belligerent is Juror #3, played with vehemence by the Rev. Silas Ford, who stalwartly, stubbornly refuses any suggestion the 16-year-old accused might possibly not have murdered his father after all.
“Everybody’s heart is bleeding for this punk little kid,” #3 says, his voice dripping with sarcasm and venom.
“The boy’s a common, ignorant slob,” #10 agrees. “He don’t even speak good English.”
(An opening night audience member who attends Ford’s Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church assured us the good pastor is quite a different soul in the pulpit.)
EFFECTIVE STAGING AND CASTING
Faust’s decision to set the main action in the round is a first for VFTS, and effectively made the audience part of the jury’s deliberations, to such an extent that some squirmed uncomfortably as tempers flared and fisticuffs seemed likely.
Sometimes it’s good to sit somewhere out in the darkened auditorium and not have a performance smack you upside the head.
But for this production of “Twelve Angry Men,” the proximity of audience to action only enhances the play, and Faust deserves much kudos for taking the chance with unfamiliar but effective staging.
Her casting, too, was effective, each actor presenting a believable character on the culturally, economically diverse jury. Many, who were old pals, found themselves adversaries in the story.
“You don’t often get to yell at people and be genuinely angry, but at the end of the day, it’s OK and we’re friends,” Forrest Jenkins, who plays the foreman, said.
Standouts include Ray Erlacher as Juror #7, whose prejudices are unveiled in his confrontations with Lincoln Sayger’s #11, an immigrant.
Nick Trolian, last summer’s King Arthur in “Spamalot,” shines as #9, an elderly man whose wisdom and graciousness wins Sarah Hawkins’ #4 to his point of view.
Each cast member gets an opportunity in the spotlight and propels the night of deliberation with often breathtaking drama.
“It’s emotionally draining,” Perna said. “It’s intense.”
And it’s fantastic. With performances Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Warriors Hall, there’s ample opportunity to treat yourself to community theatre at its finest.
Tickets are $12 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: Don’t shun these '12 Angry Men’