Pennsylvania Playhouses production of "Twelve Angry Jurors" is an intense and compelling evening of theater that examines some of the inherent problems in the American judicial system.
Although originally written in 1954, the plays themes of prejudice, class and ignorance still resonate today.
It starts with the voice of the unseen judge (Gene Conelly) giving the 12-person jury instructions as the jurors file into the deliberation room. The assorted men and women are to decide the fate of a 19-year-old young man accused of murdering his father. A guilty verdict means the death penalty.
As several jurors quickly express their view that the defendant is obviously guilty, it becomes apparent that Juror #8, played by Dara Connelly, has doubts. Thus begins the plays main conflict as the one holdout stands her ground while the other jurors react, many angrily.
Connelly is single-mindedly steadfast as Juror #8, whose focus on giving the defendant the benefit of reasonable doubt, never falters even when she is challenged in increasingly confrontational ways.
Leading the charge for a guilty verdict is Juror #3 played by an explosive Shaun Hayes. As calm, cool and quietly determined as Connellys Juror #8 is, Hayes Juror #3 is boorish, loud, and barely controlled. In fact, his increasingly heated and "in your face" responses only serve to make Connellys Juror #8 seem more reasonable and resolute.
Unintentionally helping Juror #8 in her quest to change the other jurors minds, is Renata Zumberges Juror #4, who, although she is convinced the defendant is guilty, is unemotional and analytical and focused on examining the facts of the case.
Although, the defendants ethnicity is never stated, he is referred to by many of the jurors as "one of them" and from "the slum."
A juror who comes around early on is Juror #5, played with nervous determination by Gabe Craig. Juror #5 is the only one of the group who came from the same area as the defendant and offers an empathetic view on his world.
In stark contrast, Juror #10, played with strident pushiness by Trish Steele is revealed to be racist in a powerful and angry monologue that shocks even some of the other jurors.
Adding another voice of reason is Juror #11, played with quiet conviction by Denise Shelton. She is an immigrant from an Eastern European country whose fervid belief in the righteousness of the American justice system is a shot of conscience for some of the other jurors.
As Juror #8 goes through the evidence presented in the trial and finds numerous places where there could be doubt, some like the compassionate Juror #9 played by John Corl come firmly to the not guilty side.
Other jurors are played by Parker Ryan, Jillian McLuhan, Susan Matol and director Marian Barshinger who was filling in for Jenelle Castrignano.
Gary Boyer is the Foreman trying to keep everything in line, but revealing little of his own feelings about the defendant.
Barshinger makes sure there is plenty of movement in the set that is basically a long table and chairs in a room. The show zips by at just 90 minutes without an intermission.
Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through June 21 at the Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illicks Mill Rd Bethlehem.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and the audience will be seated in a socially-distant manner.
For tickets, go to www.paplayhouse.org or call 610-865-6665.