The cast of 12 Angry Men at Blank Canvas Theatre (Photo: Andy Dudik/Blank Canvas Theatre)
It seems summer is the season for well timed theatre in Cleveland, between Cleveland Play House’s production of “8,” which fell right on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decisions on Prop 8 and the Defense Of Marriage Act, Mercury Summer Stock’s “Ragtime” hitting on 4th of July Weekend, and now Blank Canvas Theatre’s “12 Angry Men” opening the weekend after the conclusion of the George Zimmerman trial. Does art reflect life, or is the other way around?
12 Angry Men is a two act play by Reginald Rose and was adapted from his 1954 teleplay for New 102’s parent company CBS, and their Studio One series. The play debuted on Broadway in 2004, it ran for 328 performances and picked up a 2005 Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Play, and was nominated for that years Tony in the same category, losing to Glengarry Glen Ross.
The cast of 12 Angry Men at Blank Canvas Theatre (Photo: Andy Dudik/Blank Canvas Theatre)
Set in the jury room of a New York City courthouse on a particularly hot summer afternoon in 1957. 12 jurors (in this case 12 white men) have been called to make a decision in a homicide case where a black man is alleged to have killed his father. Race and class play a huge role in the dialogue and the 12 seemingly ambiguous characters soon come to life as we, like a fly on the wall, sit in on the deliberations.
Director and Blank Canvas Theatre owner Patrick Ciamacco seems to have a knack for not only picking poignant and compelling shows for his upstart Battery Park theatre space, located in the 78th Street Studios, but for making perfect casting choices. Juror #8, initially the only one who feels the defendant is not-guilty, is played by Scott Esposito. His character is sharp, logical and intellectual, and his portrayal is spot on. Mitch Manthey plays Juror #3 and spends a great deal of the show butting heads with #8. Manthey gives this macho, tough-guy an understated heart and watching him come to his character’s eventual conclusion is fascinating and heart warming. Robert Hawkes is a stand out as the bigoted Juror 10. Truth be told, the entire cast is strong in their characterization and any effort to single out 13 cast members would be ridiculous, they are all strong and convincing.
12 Angry Men is a fascinating look at how race, class, traditions, and pre-conceived notions equate into the American justice system. This production is well staged, well acted and will send you out into the night questioning your own hang ups. 12 Angry Men plays at Blank Canvas Theatre through July 27th. Grab tickets and info at BlankCanvasTheatre.com
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