EMMIE BOESE
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Director Lee Keele of Family Community Theatre’s upcoming production of 12 Angry Jurors, calls the plot line “a story of transformation.”
“We have one juror who is a hold out at the beginning who votes for acquittal and 11 who vote guilty,” Keele said. “Through the course of it of course they review the evidence and it’s the story of how the one juror through some measure of patience, manages to change everybody's mind. The story of transformation is in the life of the main protagonist. In this case, actually the protagonist doesn’t change. And everybody else does so that kind of makes it a little bit unique in that way but it’s a good story and we are going to tell a modern version of it.”
Based off the 1950s film 12 Angry Men set in New York City, the setting has been adapted to fit a co-ed cast of jurors.
“12 Angry Jurors was originally 12 Angry Men because back when it was written, women did not serve on juries,” Keele said. “I think the play was originally set in New York City because New York City used to have elevated trains. “We set it in Chicago because Chicago is the only major US city that still has an elevated train system and that’s a key piece of the plot story.”
This is Keele’s first time to direct a live stage play.
“I like leading teams,” Keele said. “I’ve led teams of different kinds over the years. I’ve been on the stage as an actor in several different productions and always enjoyed that and just kind of assumed knowing myself a little bit that I would enjoy directing and I have to say it’s been every bit as fun as being on the stage as an actor.”
Showtimes for 12 Angry Jurors are June 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. and June 23 at 3 p.m. All performances are at the Flag Theater located at 310 N. Main St. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time at familycommunitytheatre.org.
Cast:
Aaron Bartel - Court Clerk
Wes Bartlett - Juror 3
Linda-Ruth Cardozo - Juror 11
Matthew Christian - Juror 12
Skye Colaw - Juror 4
Levi Julian - Judge
Aaron Keller -Juror 8
Kort Linam -Juror 7
Renea Mikols - Juror 1 (Foreman)
Maggie Newton - Juror 10
Jellyann Ramos - Juror 2
Nicole Roensch - Juror 5
Diane Roth - Juror 9
Ryan Sims - Court Bailiff
Ronnie Voss - Juror 6
Production Staff:
Director - Lee Keele
Assistant Director - Mary Roensch
Lighting - David Adcock
Sound Board - Nicholas Amezola
Costumes - Ginger Keele
Props - Mary Roensch
Makeup - Savannah Keele
Set - Craig Williams, Robert Garrett
Poster/Publicity - Lee Keele, Sam Wilk
Front of House - Janice Wood
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