Two more chances to see “12 Angry Jurors”

Local audience members who missed the successful opening weekend of the Rohs Theatre Company’s energetic production of “12 Angry Jurors” should find time to see the final two performances, Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30.

Surrounded by the lovely Art Nouveau interior of the theatre, the simple setting of a jury deliberation room highlights the tension-filled script, as actors sit, slump, and pace. Jody Hendricks’ able direction keeps the audience and the actors engaged, which is no small feat, given the limitations of the setting and the small stage area.

Another reason to see the play is the fine ensemble work produced by the director and a cast with diverse backgrounds and performance experience. While some of the actors are familiar faces, several of them are new to the stage. Some are local, while some routinely travel significant distance to take part in the show. Their efforts have paid off, as they all give spirited performances.

Ultimately it’s the play’s subject matter that makes it worth seeing. In less than two hours, we watch twelve strangers come together and engage in one of the fundamental elements of American civic life-serving as (hopefully) unbiased jury members for a murder trial, where the stakes for the accused couldn’t be higher.

What’s fascinating is that, in a way, the characters are also on trial, trapped in a room as they face their own biases, prejudices, and personal histories.

Watching these characters struggle with themselves and each other as they try and uphold a cornerstone of the American legal system—trial by a jury of one’s peers—is reason enough to see the performance.

The fact that play’s words and ideas are delivered by a committed cast and supported by able production crew should not be taken lightly. Larger towns and their community theatres have offered audiences much less food for thought than our Rohs Theatre Company.

Readers have one more weekend to see “12 Angry Jurors” at the Rohs Theatre, March 29 and 30 at 7 p.m. For ticket reservations visit the Rohs Theatre Company’s Facebook page.