“Twelve Angry Jurors,” directed by Jean Sanner, was performed in April 2011.
There were four performances at the Clubhouse 3 Main Stage:
Friday, April 15, 7 pm
Saturday, April 16, 2 pm and 7 pm.
Sunday, April 17, 2 pm.
Twelve Angry Jurors Reviewed
With April’s performance of ‘Twelve Angry Jurors,’ The Old Pros once again brings theatre at its professional best to Laguna Woods Village audiences.
The consummate measure of success for ‘Twelve Angry Jurors’ was that even if the outcome were known before hand, the cast had the audience locked in anticipation and suspense to the very end. So real and intense was the performance, at times it elicited vocal reproaches or positive applause from the audience as if these were actual people whom they could influence. Even during intermission, people were heard debating over the outcome of the trial on stage.
The fine hand of director Jeanne Sanner, like some magical force, drew exceptional performances from her actors—moved them and mixed them, paced and wove them together with exquisite alchemy—making the audience part of the real world she created on the stage. The multi-talented Sanner is also to be complimented on her fine publicity writing, influencing an outstanding pre-performance ticket sale.
An excellent set, lighting and sound effects completed the realistic picture–thunder at one point making the audience jump.
The Old Pros is to be commended for proving there is a growing audience for significant, meaningful theatre of any genre. Whatever the play, the name ‘The Old Pros’ is getting to be a major draw for audiences in Laguna Woods Village.
Overheard in the Lobby
The following comments were overheard after the performance.
“This was the best show since “The Gin Game.”
“This should be on the Professional stage.”
“Jeanne Sanner performed a miracle with the cast.”
“This play had me in tears at the end.”
“Every character was so well defined, and they all stayed in character.”
“I am back to see it for the second time; one time was not enough.”
“I was riveted to my seat.”
“The whole show blew me away.”
“Any time the Old Pros perform I know it will be a Do Not Miss event.”
“Thank you for bringing such a high-standard performance to Clubhouse 3.”
Jeanne Sanner, director of Twelve Angry Jurors, April 2011
Introduction to Twelve Angry Jurors
By Jeanne Sanner, Director
The story line of Twelve Angry Jurors, based on Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men is simple. A teenager is accused of stabbing his father to death; if found guilty, he faces execution.
The jurors have been listening to testimony for three sizzling days in New York City in 1957. The play begins when they enter the stifling jury room to start deliberations.
The play is brilliantly written. The tension is thick. The conflicts rage and the verdict is indelibly etched in the audience’s mind.
The characters are complex. They range in type from quiet and reflective to ‘in your face’ volatile. Each has his/her own passions, prejudices, and predilections, and each has his own complex back story giving tremendous flavor to the simple plot.
Each character plays a unique role in the constant flux of tension, and makes a significant contribution to the evolution of the ultimate verdict.
The title of the original play indicates that the cast consists of all men. Since the play was written in the 1950’s, it made perfect sense to have all men; women were not often called upon to be on, or selected for, a jury, particularly one containing such violence as the stabbing death of a man by his teenage son.
Finding a cast with women capable of handling roles written for men and making those characters believable, and finding men who can carry off the complex aggressive relationships with women instead of with men, was a challenge and a joy. We have found the actors capable of achieving those difficult tasks, and I am thrilled!
Just one glance at the biographies, which were limited to a mere 40 words, reveals only the tip of the iceberg of talent on stage for this production.
I can sincerely assure all those who plan to attend our show that you will be delighted with the quality of acting you will see on our Main Stage in Club House 3. Please read the biographies below, and you will understand the reason for my confidence.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Sanner, Director
JEANNE SANNER (Director) Jeanne is an accomplished actor, director, singer, acting coach, orchestra conductor, and best-selling author. Jeanne portrayed Linda in Death of a Salesman, Fonsia in Gin Game, directed Mouse Trap and recently coached and produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
PAT GARDNER (Stage Manager) This is Pat’s eighth experience as stage manager. Pat has additionally appeared as an actor in four Village plays. She delights in relating and utilizing her 25 years experience as a teacher in pursuing her theatrical adventures.
LAURA FLYNN (Producer) This is Laura’s first time to produce, but she is far from a novice in the theater. Laura was costume, props, and set change assistant in Death of a Salesman, The Gin Game, and The Mousetrap for the Old Pros.
Twelve Angry Jurors – Cast Bios
SUE BROWN (Judge) Sue is new to the theatre world. She was cast as one of the five Copa Girl dancers in last year’s production of A Night At The Copa. The role of Judge is Sue’s first role with The Old Pros.
MARY LEE LINDQUIST (Foreman) Some of Mary Lee’s productions include Lovers in Midsummer and See How They Run (Old Pros), Rose Tattoo (Long Beach Playhouse), and Comedy of Errors (Capistrano Shakespeare Festival). Favorite musical theatre roles include Dolly (Hello Dolly) and Anna (King and I).
BILL BROWN (Juror 2) This is Bill’s second production with the Old Pros. He previously played Warren, one of the guards, in the production One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Bill is also on the technical staff for the Old Pros traveling theater group.
ALAN BRAVIN (Juror 3) Alan’s most recent roles for The Old Pros were Randle P. Mc Murphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Lysander in Lovers in Midsummer. He has also performed locally at the Cypress Civic Theatre and Long Beach Playhouse.
BEN HOLTMAN (Juror 4) Ben’s appearances in previous Old Pros and Theatre Guild productions include: Cuckoo’s Nest, Night at the Copacabana, See How They Run, Senior Follies and Death of a Salesman. He also develops scripts for The Old Pros’ Reader’s Theatre Group.
CLARA BAKER (Juror 5) Clara has appeared on our stage in many plays, including Solid Gold
Cadillac, Blithe Spirit, Curse You, Jack Dalton. In San Clemente, she played the lead in So Long on Lonely Street. Recently, she’s been appearing as Maya Angelou.
JOHN EDMISTON (Juror 6) Graduate of C.S.U.N. with BA in Drama. Leading roles include George Gibbs (Our Town), Edward Chamberlayne (The Cocktail Party), Clark Redfield (Dream Girl), and a variety of supporting roles in everything from Shakespeare to Moliere to Tennessee Williams.
BOB SACHS (Juror 7) This is Bob’s first full length play. He portrayed an immigrant in a college skit in New York and was a bystander in a Passion Play last Easter. Twelve Angry Jurors is one important fulfillment of his “Bucket List.”
BRUCE HARDERS (Juror 8) Bruce is playing his first leading role in over thirty years. Recent screen work includes Appaloosa, Crazy Heart, and Conspiracy. Television includes: Breaking Bad and In Plain Sight. Best remembrance: featured background role in History Channel’s Black Blizzard.
BILL HUMPHRY (Juror 9) This is Bill’s acting debut. He retired from LAPD as the Detective Supervisor in various Gang Details and with the FBI County-Wide Task Force. He then retired as the Director of Security from Time Warner Cable. He now RV’s nationwide.
MAGGIE BROWN (Juror 10) Maggie has performed in several Off-Off Broadway productions, television shows, and over 250 commercials. Her main passion is writing – Sophisticated Nuts and Dried Fruit – produced in LA and Connecticut – is currently working on one-acts for the Old Pros.
EVELINE HOFFMAN (Juror 11) Eveline performed as Miss Casewell in the Old Pros’ production of The Mousetrap, was lead in Senior Follies, had several roles in Theatre Guild’s production of Aquarius to Woodstock, and has served as Script Supervisor.
HARTLEY KERN (Juror 12) Mostly in community theater, Hartley has enjoyed playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night, Cyrano in Cyrano de bergerac, Mr. Kimble in George Washington Slept Here, a Siamese twin in Quadraped, Howie Newsome in Our Town, and Clochet in Men without Shadows.
