John Jay Presents Classic Courtroom Drama — '12 Angry Jurors'

CROSS RIVER, NY — John Jay High School’s Fall Drama features a classic courtroom drama presented in the modern day and in the round. The play, officially titled “12 Angry Men,” and written by Reginald Rose in the 1950s, is considered the gold standard of courtroom dramas and will be called “12 Angry Jurors” for the John Jay production.

It will be presented Dec. 14, 15, and 16 at 7 p.m. and a matinee on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens. They will be sold at the door beginning one hour prior to each performance.

In the play, a jury of 12 is crammed into a hot New York City deliberation room and must decide if the evidence presented in court holds enough weight to give a teenage boy the death penalty. Racism, prejudice, and anger interplay with empathy, critical thinking and courage, according to a district spokesman.

Director Amanda Urban, an English teacher at John Jay High School, choose to set this production in present day, as well as in the round. John Jay’s theater becomes intimate, seating 120 people per show and allowing the audience to feel as if they were a part of the jury.

In the director’s notes, Urban highlights the symbolism of the set. The red on the single wall of the jury room reflects the anger the jurors feel as the tension rises. The checkerboard floor symbolizes most of the jurors’ “black and white” thinking before they realize the case is filled with shades of gray.

“When Rose wrote ‘12 Angry Men,’ public places allowed smoking indoors, air conditioning did not exist, the government enforced segregation and only men could serve on jury duty,” Urban said. “While much of this changed over the years, the underlying concepts of the show remain relevant today, which is why this production takes place in present day.”

“Our hope is that you leave our jury room motivated to consider multiple perspectives and to one day have 'a great deal of courage to stand alone' for something you believe in,” she said.

The cast of 15 includes Angelina Cerami, Jinjee Denner, Kristina Deverdzic, Tristan Galler, Katie Gebbia, Jonah Linz, Edwin Middleton, Lily Oyen, Emily Pardo, Emma Purho, Charlie Simonsen, Alessandra Tucker, Faith Willett, and Fayth Wisehart.

Photo credit: Katonah-Lewisboro School District.