Alpha Psi Omega’s (APO) production of “12 Angry Jurors” runs from this Thursday, Feb. 26-Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Columbia Theatre. Audience members can expect Sparks to fly, as minds are changed over the next 70 min of runtime.
The play is an adaptation of the 1957 movie “12 Angry Men.” This production features a multi-gendered cast.
The story follows a jury as they deliberate over the fate of a 19-year-old boy who has been accused of stabbing his own father. The jury’s decision must be unanimous. All 12 have to vote guilty or not guilty, and if they vote not guilty, the boy will be sentenced to the death penalty.
The audience never sees the boy; they only see the four walls in which the jury will be confined until they decide the fate of this young man.
APO president Carter Cortez, who directs the show, said, “This show is about being open-minded, it’s not about sides or who’s right and who’s wrong. It’s just about listening to each other and remembering that we are all human and not to cut us down to one factor or one trait.”
The uniqueness of this show comes from its one-room set design. It gets loud and heated, and the question of reasonable doubt is posed often. This tension places the audience in a position similar to the jury. Do we believe he is innocent or guilty?
The relatability of “your common man” shines a light on people present today as much as it did 70 years ago, when the movie first premiered. Themes of compassion, anger and exhaustion are all present within the jurors, and they play a crucial role in convicting or exonerating the defendant.
“It’s often mentioned how theater is a reflection of the world’s past, present and future; I think ‘12 Angry Jurors’ is a great example of that. Even though the show was written in the 50s, it still has so many themes that are relevant today. The playwright’s work on immigrants, the poor and the American justice system is still so important to remember and instill in our society,” said Chloe Williams, who plays Juror #5.
APO is partnering with Luma Coffee to commemorate the show. The specialty drink, called “The Verdict,” will be available through Saturday night.
You can see “12 Angry Jurors” from Thursday, Feb. 26-Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbia Theatre. While the current ticketing website is down, at the moment, the crew has implemented an alternative.
Please email [email protected] with your full name, the number of tickets and the performance date you will attend. You will be added to a reservation list and pay for your tickets at the door on the night of your performance. If the website comes back online before the night of the performance, you can buy your tickets normally from the APO Instagram.
