| “Life is in their hands - Death is on their minds! It explodes like 12 sticks of dynamite! So declares the movie marquee poster of the 1957, Oscar nominated film version of 12 Angry Men. Adapted from the live television play by Reginald Rose, the film earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing of Adapted Screenplay (although it lost in all categories to “The Bridge on the River Kwai”). The American Film Institute placed 12 Angry Men on its list of the 100 Best Films of the last 100 Years, and named Henry Fonda one of the 50 greatest movie heroes of the 20th Century for his portrayal of Juror 8. Theatre fans can expect the same intensity to spill from the stage this spring as Lamplighter’s Theatre Company continues its Season of Award Winners with 12 Angry Men. "If twelve men were locked in a room and suddenly realized they sharply disagreed over a matter of life and death...what would happen?” director Aaron Shaver ponders. “The understanding that justice is blind does not mean juries are blind, too. That's where 12 Angry Men starts. The play displays the best and worst of the American justice system. I want the audience to feel the important sense of being involved in how justice is administered in any system." Shaver has assembled a remarkable cast of seasoned theatre pros to fill the roles of the jurors, who are only known by their numbers. Scott Hutcheson, who ironically began his theatrical career as ‘Citizen 3’ in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” assumes the iconic mantle of ‘Juror 8.’ Mike Parker inhabits the role of his nemesis, ‘Juror 3’ – a role made famous by Lee J. Cobb in the 1957 film version and reprised by George C. Scott in the 1997 television remake. Adding to the stark tension of the show will be the innovative set design by Neal McClain, who served as the tech director for last year’s Tennessee Shakespeare Festival. 12 Angry Men runs March 27-29 & April 3-5. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances are at 4 p.m. Lamplighter’s Theatre is located on the campus of Smyrna Assembly at 14119 Old Nashville Highway, Smyrna, TN. Tickets are available at www.ticketsnashville.com. For more information contact Lamplighters Theatre at (615) 534-0148, or visit us online at www.Lamplighterstheatre.net. |
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