By Marilyn Jozwik
Several years ago, I was selected to appear on a jury for a trial involving domestic abuse. So, I went into Waukesha Civic Theatre’s presentation of “12 Angry Men,” several versions of which I had previously seen, with considerable interest.
I was struck by how closely it mirrored my experience, mostly the way it depicted the variety of people on the jury, people with biases and preconceived notions. In my situation, most of the jury leaned one way at the beginning – many hoping for a swift decision in order to get the whole procedure over quickly and return to their lives. But through the efforts of a couple jurors and several hours of thoughtful discussion, the tide turned until there was only one dissenting. Rather than pressuring that one person to go along with the majority, jury members encouraged her to do what she thought was right. On her own, she joined the others. It made me realize that, though flawed, our jury system is quite remarkable.
Waukesha Civic tackles the show by Reginald Rose, with the stage version by Sherman L. Sergel, with a fine cast headed by Mark Neufang as Juror 8, the lone holdout of 12 at the initial vote of the jurors. The case they are deliberating involves a young man who has been accused of stabbing and killing his father. The cards are stacked against him: an elderly neighbor in the tenement building where the crime was committed testified that he heard an argument between the young man and his father, and saw him running down the stairs shortly after. A woman claims to have seen the stabbing through the cars of a passing elevated train. A nearby shopkeeper said he sold a knife, similar to the murder weapon, to the defendant.
Only Juror 8 sees that all those stories have flaws. With a cool, objective manner he bats away the many arguments – several angry ones – that other jurors put forth. Neufang’s is one of those “bucket list” roles – one made famous by Henry Fonda in the movie –and Neufang doesn’t disappoint. He handles his role with assuredness as he carefully lays out facts not tainted by biases that others clearly show.
A vote is taken in the jury room during deliberations for a murder trial that included Juror 3 (Kevin Peters), from left, Foreman/Juror 1 (Jim Doucette, Juror 11 (Sandra Pocaro), Juror 12 (Zach Sharrock), Juror 4 (Lawrence J. Lukasavage), Juror 2 (Mary Rynders), Juror 5 (Martin Scanlan), Juror 10 (Angie Rodenkirch), Juror 7 (Hal Erickson), Juror 9 (Ron Clohessy) and Juror 8 (Mark Neufang in a scene from Waukesha Civic Theatre’s “12 Angry Men.”
Director Meghan Hopper has the characters moving about, rather than staying seated, as they give their opinions on a scorching summer day in the realistic jury room created by Michael Talaska. The jurors’ recreated scenes – such as how the old man could have walked as far as he testified to in the brief time – are nicely done as Neufang’s No. 8 methodically builds his case like a bricklayer.
All the roles are handled well, but several stand out. Kevin Peters gives fire and passion to his Juror 3, a passion that nearly boils over into fisticuffs between two characters. Angie Rodenkirch as Juror 10 also has an intense moment, spewing venom about the sort of people, like the defendant, that she deems “no good,” giving the audience a glimpse of someone they might know with similar views. Lawrence J. Lukasavage gives a solid performance as the forthright, thoughtful Juror 4, while Hal Erickson adds some color with his wise-cracking Juror 7, who wants nothing more than a quick verdict.
Other Jurors in the show are Jim Doucette (1), Mary Rynders (2), Martin Scanlan (5), Kennan Ellis (6), Ron Clohessy (9), Sandra Pocaro (11), Zach Sharrock (12).
Among the finest English language courtroom dramas, “12 Angry Men” offers a realistic look at the cornerstone of our justice system with this riveting presentation by Waukesha Civic Theatre.
If you go:
Who: Waukesha Civic Theatre
What: “12 Angry Men”
When: Through Oct. 1
Where: 264 W. Main St., Waukesha
Info/Tickets: 262-547-0708/www.waukeshacivictheatre.org