'Twelve Angry Men' Cast Announced

Director Cindy Matteson has announced that casting is complete and rehearsals are underway for “Twelve Angry Men,” the second production of Bradford Little Theatre’s “Fun, Furious Fifteen” season.

The Emmy Award-winning story by Reginald Rose, adapted for the stage by Sherman Sergel, takes the audience into the jury deliberations of what appears to be an open-and-shut case of murder. The play is a period piece from the 1950s; it lasts about 80 minutes and will have no intermission.

The drama will be performed at the auditorium of the First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St., Bradford, on Friday and Saturday, February 3 and 4, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5.

“Fourteen talented men from around the region will bring this drama – one of my personal favorites – to life,” said Matteson, a BLT board member and veteran director of both Otto-Eldred Junior-Senior High School and BLT productions.

“Many of us held our breath this year awaiting the verdicts in the trials of Casey Anthony, Dr. Conrad Murray and Amanda Knox,” Matteson said. “There are few moments quite as dramatic as the return of a verdict, especially in a criminal case.”

The director added, “Anyone who watches movies or television is familiar with the judge charging the jury, and the stone-faced men and women leaving the courtroom to deliberate, only to arrive back in court a few commercials later with unemotional faces as the court clerk reads the verdict to the defendant.”

“This is not the case in ‘Twelve Angry Men’,” Matteson said. “The defendant is never seen and the return of the jury to the courtroom is never witnessed, but the discussions that occur among the jurors between each of these courtroom moments is the focus of this show."

According to the director, “Twelve Angry Men” is as powerful today as when it was written, showing that one man does have the ability to force others to see their prejudices, feelings and strengths -- ultimately allowing honesty and justice to prevail.

“This is an amazing cast of men who are willing to really dig into the characters and make this little piece of society come to life on stage,” Matteson said. “I don’t think our audiences will be disappointed with this timeless production.”

The cast includes both veterans and newcomers ranging in age from their teens to their 70s.

Portraying Juror 1, the foreman, will be Ron Buchheit of Bradford, back to the BLT stage. Juror #2, a quiet man, will be Chris Lathrop of Bradford, new to BLT. Bradfordian Shane Oschman will portray the disagreeable Juror #3; Oschman is an experienced performer and technical staff member, but this will be his BLT debut. BLT veteran James Miller of Bradford, last seen in BLT’s “This Day and Age,” will be Juror #4, a wealthy man. BLT newcomer Jacob DeFrain of Emporium will be Juror #5, a street-wise young man. The dull-witted Juror #6 role will be portrayed by Justin Lawton of Duke Center, new to BLT.

Rick Weinberg of Bradford will make his BLT debut as Juror #7, a flashy salesman. The “man of reason” Juror #8 will be portrayed by Tim Asinger of Bradford, who had a major role in “Christmas Belles” and assisted with last year’s dinner theater, “I’m Getting Murdered in the Morning.” Veteran Charles E. Church of Bradford returns to the BLT stage in the role of Juror #9, an old man. Also returning to the stage will be Dick Marcott, veteran performer and director, as Juror #10, a loud, obnoxious man. Juror #11, an immigrant, will be offered by John Kearns of Jamestown, N.Y., new to BLT. Travis Cowburn of Bradford, last seen in “Christmas Belles” will be Juror #12, an advertising professional.

Veteran BLT performer Michael McLanahan of Bradford will portray the guard; he was both Gander and a Narrator for BLT’s most recent show, “Charlotte’s Web.” The voice of the judge will be offered by Lance Baker of Eldred.

The technical crew includes producer Nanci K. Garris; Suzanne Coburn, stage manager and set dresser; Mary Gibbs, set design; Cindy Graham and Marcia McAndrew, costumes; Erin Leet, make-up and stage crew; Kristin Asinger, set; and Ron Johnson, sound and lighting.

Advance tickets may be purchased at $9 each. At the door, tickets for adults will cost one dollar more. A discount is available for groups of ten or more through BLT treasurer Morrison or on the website at www.bradfordlittletheatre.org. Tickets will be available at outlets in mid-January.

For more information, people may check the BLT website or Facebook page.

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