Theater Review: 'Twelve Angry Jurors' at Oxford High School

Review by Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis

*The portions of the review referring to Juror #2 and Juror #11 have been edited to correctly credit the actors.

The students in the Oxford High School Drama are presenting an angry production of “Twelve Angry Jurors,” the play based on the Emmy-winning television movie by Reginald Rose that was adapted for the stage by Sherman L. Sergel. The production is directed by Tess Peters and produced by Caitlin Martell.

The director writes about her view of this serious play. “At its core, this play is about how we interact as human beings, how we listen to one another (or sometimes fail to) and how those interactions shape the world around us. Through the lens of these twelve jurors, we’re reminded of the importance of empathy, the importance of really hearing one another, and the importance of being open to different perspectives.”

It becomes apparent that the cast has worked hard (since the end of August) to bring their characters to life. The director knew that it was no small task to step into the shoes of these jurors, but she writes that the students “put their all into these roles” and they have “done so with grace, commitment, and a lot of heart.” Peters' hope is that audience members “find as much meaning in this production as we have found in creating it.”

The cast is filled with strong performances. Oxford High junior Jenna Piechota often drives the debate in the role of Juror #8, with a measured performance that is often beyond her years. Ms. Piechota was nominated for a Halo Award for her performances as Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.” Her brother Ryan Piechota, a sophomore, acts as the foreman of the jury that tries mightily to keep the group in order. Mr. Piechota won a Halo for his performance as Rick Steadman in “The Nerd.”

Isaac Motes (at left in the photo above, with Ryan Piechota) is perfectly cast in the role of the bombastic Juror #3 who refuses to waver is his guilty vote. Motes, who played Franklin Hart in “9 to 5” and was part of “Rent” at Center Stage in Shelton often must shout his lines, but never overacts.

Tyler Rainho, who played Chef Louis in “Little Mermaid,” takes on the difficult role of Juror #11 and masters the look and accent of his character, an immigrant who quietly reminds the group of their rights as citizens. (Tyler's first name was incorrectly spelled "Ryler" in the cast list in the helpful printed program, but was appeared correctly in his bio.) Emmeline Foresberg, a Halo Award nominee who has already been in 13 shows, gives a polished performance as the voice of reason, Juror #4.

Dharaben Patel stepped out of the stage crew to do some great work as Juror #5, who shares that she grew up in a slum. In her first performance in a straight play, Adriana Meyers plays the often quiet Juror #6. In her first play, Elin Halgrin plays the loud and dramatic Juror #8, a woman with an attitude who simply wants to leave the courthouse. Caitlin McKowan (Sally Brown in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”) ages up considerably to portray Juror #9, and does so effectively.

Halo Award winner Hannah Brunje (“Almost, Maine”) gets to play Juror #10, who is suffering from a summer cold. Senior Dylan Roth (Grimsby in "The Little Mermaid") plays the measured Juror #2, who uses his watch to time the jurors' reenactments. Ava Sikorski is corporate Juror #12 in her first performance in a play.

Pam Aldrich is the voice actor for the role of the judge and freshman Connor Roddy plays the guard that locks the jurors in the room in which they deliberate. Jon Peters designed the authentic looking set. Sarah Brunje acted as stage manager with her assistant, freshman Sophia Bouchard. Milagros Teves acted as costume manager, while Kamden Maiorino served as hair and makeup artist and her work was impressive.

I love that some of the members of the crew came out to be recognized during the curtain call and then took a bow with the cast. It was also heartening to see that “after the horrific flood this year, the OHS Drama Department reached out to local businesses that were affected to help in their recovery. Please support them!”

Tickets are general admission. Performances are presented at the high school located at 61 Quaker Farms Rd. in Oxford. Remaining performances are Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.
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