'12 Angry Jurors' premieres at UT

10/13/2010

A classic teleplay has been updated for the 21st century and will be presented at the University of Toledo as the opening of its 2010-11 season, which comes with the theme of imprisonment.

12 Angry Jurors, which premieres at 7:30 p.m. Friday, is a gender-neutral presentation of the 1954 play 12 Angry Men, written by Reginald Rose for CBS' Studio One anthology television series.

The drama about a jury debating the guilt or innocence of a murder suspect explores what goes on in a jury room and how what seems to be an open-and-shut case can change when considered from other angles.

One update alters the jury makeup from all male to six men and six women. Director Cornel Gabara also will use some prerecorded material and will have students with video cameras focus on the actors' faces, so the audience can see everyone's expressions, even when they have their backs to certain sections of the theater.

In a press release, Gabara said, "Even though the original script is from 1954, the ideas in it are still very relevant today."

"12 Angry Jurors" is scheduled in Center Theatre of UT's Center for Performing Arts at Towerview and West Campus boulevards. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Oct. 20-23, with matinees at 2 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 24. Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for UT employees, alumni, and seniors, and $9 for students. Information: 419-530-2375.

Shades of Dirty Dancing!

Tiffin's Ritz Players have borrowed the setting of that film for their season opener: Breaking Up is Hard to Do.

The musical is set at a Catskills resort in 1960. The tale of friendship, love, and one wild Labor Day weekend is set to the songs of Neil Sedaka.

Directed by Chris Tucci, the cast includes Heather Hunker as Marge, Jessica Rigsby as Lois, Rosalie Distel as Esther, Eric Hertenstein as Gabe, and Kelly Addis as Harvey.

"Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Oct. 23 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Ritz Theatre, 30 South Washington St., Tiffin. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Information: 419-448-8544 or 800-586-7382.

- NANCIANN CHERRY