PACP play examines prejudice among jurors

From left, John Jacobus, DJ Schneider, Ron Kirkpatrick and Dennis Sturtz rehearse for the Port Austin Community Player’s upcoming performance of Twelve Angry Jurors. Photo by Kelly Taylor-Jerome PORT AUSTIN - The Port Austin Community Players will soon take the stage to act out a drama that examines racism in the jury room.

On Feb. 24, 25 and 26 and March 2, 3, and 4, the theatre troupe will perform Twelve Angry Jurors, an adaptation of the 1954 teleplay Twelve Angry Men. While all the jurors in the original teleplay were men, the play was adapted to include women on the jury.

In the play, a teenage Hispanic boy has just been tried for the murder of his father, and the case is now in the hands of the jury. A guilty verdict will send the boy to the electric chair.

While the case looks cut and dried on the surface, Juror No. 8 feels the facts merit a cursory review before the jury hands in a guilty verdict. As the jurors examine the testimony and facts in the case, the experiences, limitations, personalities and biases of the jurors impact the deliberation process.

Initially staged as a CBS live production, the drama was later rewritten for the stage in 1955 under the same title and again for a feature film in 1957.

Director Dennis D. Sturtz said the play is as relevant today as it was in the 1950s.

"The prejudices still exist," Sturtz said. "Being able to use women as jurors makes it more up to date."

He said the movie was quite popular, and he believes the play will be an entertaining and enlightening experience for children and adults.

"I think it will give people who have never sat on a jury an idea of what really goes on behind the scenes," he said. "I think there's a moral to it."

He said the play is appropriate for children, as there is no swearing or violence.

The cast includes Patricia K. Marlin (Juror 1), Rita Wencel (Juror 2), Ron Kirkpatrick (Juror 3), Molly A. Dando (Juror 4), Dennis D. Sturtz (Juror 5), Terry McGrath (Juror 6), DJ Schneider (Juror 7), John Jacobus (Juror 8), Gary E. Sturm (Juror 9), James M. Childs (Juror 10), Dr. Sami Makhoul (Juror 11) and E. Dennis Hafeli (Juror 12).

Sturtz said all the actors except Childs have previous experience acting with the Port Austin Community Players.

"We've got an experienced cast, which is nice," Sturtz said.

The Port Austin Community Playhouse is located at 35 Railroad Street, next to the post office in Port Austin.

Saturday and Sunday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students. To make reservations call 989-738- 5217.