'12 ANGRY MEN' MAKES OLD STORY NEW.Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Critic Let's hear it for that elusive beast known as the well-crafted play. And for a dozen choice roles, each offering opportunities to cut loose. Sometimes there's no shame in playing a number. Let's hear it, also, for producers like the Roundabout Theatre Company The Roundabout Theatre Company is the largest non-profit theatre company based in New York City. They own two Broadway theatres (Studio 54 and the American Airlines Theatre) and one Off-Broadway theatre (the Laura Pels Theatre in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Arts). and American Airlines American Airlines Major U.S. airline. American was created through a merger of several smaller U.S. airlines and incorporated in 1934. It continued to buy the routes of other airlines, becoming an international carrier in the 1970s; its routes include South America, the , which possess the mojo to send their nonmusical plays on tour. We're not seeing so many of them these days. While we're at it, how about a hearty huzzah huz·zah also huz·za interj. Used to express joy, encouragement, or triumph. n. 1. A shout of "huzzah." 2. A cheer. for righteous anger -- misplaced mis·place tr.v. mis·placed, mis·plac·ing, mis·plac·es 1. a. To put into a wrong place: misplace punctuation in a sentence. b. or otherwise -- over personal demons Demons See also devil; evil; ghosts; hell; spirits and spiritualism. ademonist one who denies the existence of the devil or demons. bogyism, bogeyism recognition of the existence of demons and goblins. , thoughtless peers, perceived social blight or a missed ballgame. Here's to the sweat that develops in a cramped and stuffy room during a crackling- good argument. Yes, bully for conflict! "Twelve Civil Men" would be a hot bore. The national tour of "Twelve Angry Men" at the Ahmanson Theatre The Ahmanson Theatre is one of the four main venues that comprise the Los Angeles Music Center. Through the generosity of philanthropist Robert H. Ahmanson, construction began on March 9, 1962. plays like bullet. This is despite the play's built-in familiarity. So many of us know the movie or the Showtime remake. A jury convenes to decide the fate of a 16-year-old boy accused of his father's murder. Eleven are convinced of his guilt. One man, Juror juror n. any person who actually serves on a jury. Lists of potential jurors are chosen from various sources such as registered voters, automobile registration or telephone directories. No. 8, stands alone, gradually bringing each one-- person by person -- to find reasonable doubt. Where, precisely is the suspense in that? At the Ahmanson, that's where, playing over 90 riveting minutes. The quite-busy director Scott Ellis-- re-creating his Broadway staging with 12 different actors -- re-orchestrates a veritable symphony of discord. You've got 12 men of different backgrounds in the unenviable position of deciding a man's life. Tempers will bristle bristle 1. the thick strong animal fibers collected at commercial abattoirs for use in brushes. 2. the sharp serrated awns of grass and some cereal seeds that confer a capacity to penetrate normal skin and mucosa and to cause ulcerative stomatitis, grass seed abscess and the like. . Violence among supposedly civilized men could break out. It's a rather remarkable feat that playwright Reginald Rose pulls off here. In a brief span of time, Rose gives us just enough detail to tell us something about these men, what's holding them back or what's driving them forward. We know a few professions, a smattering of key historical data -- and not a single name. Ellis' production and his terrific actors don't cheat the details. We learn characteristics via the wrinkle of a suit (Michael Krass' costumes are dead on) or the purposefulness of a gait. The crusaders in "Twelve Angry Men" are actually among the least sympathetic. Richard Thomas Richard Thomas is the name of:
Contrast this with the demons churning inside Julian Gamble's No. 10, a man who would send not just the kid, but his entire race to the electric chair. Or those of final holdout hold·out n. One that withholds agreement or consent upon which progress is contingent. Noun 1. holdout - a negotiator who hopes to gain concessions by refusing to come to terms; "their star pitcher was a holdout for six , No. 3 (Randle Mell), whose relationship with his own son is tainting his evaluation of the evidence. Though their characters may not be on the sides of the angels, Gamble and Mell offer up a couple of men who are flawed, human, and -- at times -- quite frightening. The play outs such men, but it doesn't demonize de·mon·ize tr.v. de·mon·ized, de·mon·iz·ing, de·mon·iz·es 1. To turn into or as if into a demon. 2. To possess by or as if by a demon. 3. them. The same group-minded spirit that was hellbent on conviction can dissipate and re-evaluate when faced with better reasoning. In a way, Rose's play is enormously optimistic in its examination of mob mentality being curbed and redirected. There is, nonetheless, still plenty of anger on hand, even as this tide is turning. This production is still an arena, and those of us who enjoy a good psychological battle-- yes, with the threat of fisticuffs in the air -- wouldn't have it any other way. Evan Henerson (818) 713-3651 evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com TWELVE ANGRY MEN - Three and one half stars Where: Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; through May 6. Tickets: $20 to $80. (213) 628-2772. www.centertheatregroup.org. In a nutshell: Guilty of being greatly entertaining. |
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