RAVEN THEATRE TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH
TWELVE ANGRY MEN,
DIRECTED BY AARON TODD DOUGLAS
Twelve Angry Men
by Reginald Rose, directed by Aaron Todd Douglas
Previews: Tuesday, February 16 through Saturday, February 20 at 8:00 p.m.
Opening Night: Sunday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m.
Opening night post-show reception sponsored by Konak Restaurant,
La Cocina de Frida, Lulus Dim Sum and Then Sum, MJ Catering, and Ole Ole.
Performances continue through April 17, 2010:
Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
All performances take place on Raven Theatre's East Stage, 6157 N. Clark
Tickets are $15 during previews and $25 on Thursdays/Sundays; $30 on Fridays/Saturdays
($5 discount for students/seniors)
Free parking is provided in a lot adjacent to the theatre; additional street parking is available
Raven Theatre is handicapped accessible
Tickets/information:
www.raventheatre.com or
773-338-2177
CHICAGO - The weather couldn't be hotter nor the stakes higher in
Raven Theatre's winter drama, Twelve Angry Men, directed by
Aaron Todd Douglas. Opening is Sunday, February 21, at 7:00 p.m. at Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark, with a reception following in the Raven lobby sponsored by Konak Restaurant, La Cocina de Frida, Lulus Dim Sum and Then Sum, MJ Catering,
and Ole Ole. Tickets and information are available at
www.raventheatre.com or
773-338-2177.
Twelve jurors enter the deliberation
room to determine the fate of a troubled youth on trial for murder.
It's the hottest day of the year and these men are all sure of his
guilt... except for one. Can this individual break the mentality of
group thought to ensure that the trial is fair or will complacency rule?
Raven's production also brings an
interracial cast to this powerful American drama, exploring the levels
of bias within and between races. Reginald Rose's riveting play
challenges all of us to find the personal strength to stand alone in
the crowd and see the bigger picture, even in the most unpopular of
situations.
Director, Aaron Todd Douglas states, "As
a society, we often have a two-sided approach to arguments. With that,
when one group takes a particular stance, the other group takes the
polar opposite, regardless of any attention to good common sense. The
second group may not even believe in their position, but take it purely
to be antagonistic. We plan to investigate this role of the antagonist
to see where the argument ends and the humanity begins."
Reginald Rose,
a playwright and screenwriter was inspired to write
Twelve Angry Men (which began as a 1954 episode of TV's
Studio One and then was adapted to the screen in 1957) by
his service on a similar trial. Famous for his "slice of life" writing
style, Rose's scripts tackled heavy social issues of the time including
abortion and black listing. Best known for his television dramas, Rose
helped to define the Golden Age of Television, working with all three
of the major networks.
Director
Aaron Todd Douglas is a founding member of Congo Square Theatre Ensemble and recently directed
Pill Hill 2009 with ETA Creative Arts Foundation,
awarded Best Play and Best Director by Black Theatre Alliance. Also a
part time faculty member at Loyola University, Douglas has worked with
companies including Court Theatre, Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago
Shakespeare Theatre, Victory Gardens and Pegasus Players.
The ensemble portraying the twelve jurors includes: Kenneth Johnson ( ETA Theatre, Apple Tree Children's Theatre, and Stage Actors Ensemble);
Steve Herson (Lakeside Shakespeare, Organic Theatre, European Theatre and Mary-Arrchie Theatre);
Dan Loftus (Oak Park Festival Theatre's Arms and the Man); Bryson Engelen (Lifeline and Shattered Globe);
Fernando Albiar ( Chicago debut); Dwight Sora (Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Dance Crash, Steppenwolf and Silk Road);
Eddie Diaz (Chicago debut); Christopher Brown (Blue Man Group);
J.J. McCormick (Piano Lesson, Two Trains Running, and Jitney);
Reginald Vaughn (One flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Much Ado About Nothing
and A Soldier's Play); Leonard Kraft (Steppenwolf, Shattered Globe, Timeline, Circle, Apple Tree and Eclipse); and
Ron Quade (Death of a Salesman at Raven, 2009). Carthy Dixon rounds out the cast as the Bailiff.
Staff includes: Sam Roberson (Assistant Director);
Kelly Dailey (Scenic Design); Sharlet Webb (Costume Design); Rick Sims (Sound Design and Composer)
Stephanie Farina (Assistant Sound Design); Christine Ferriter (Lighting Design) and Andrei Onegin (Technical Director).
Jen Short serves as stage manager.
The 2009-2010 season is dedicated to the memory of Esther E. McCormick, proud Raven Theatre ensemble member .
Raven Theatre
Founded
in 1983, Raven Theatre is dedicated to breathing new life into American
classics and exploring other works that illuminate the American
experience, with occasional forays into world classics. In addition to
its regular season, Raven produces a Workshop Series of new and
experimental productions, as well as an Educational Outreach program,
including teaching partnerships with various Chicago Public Schools,
summer youth classes and original children's shows performed at Raven
Theatre.
Raven Theatre
Company is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency,
Polk Bros. Foundation, Yates-Feldman Foundation, The Lloyd A. Fry
Foundation, The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Prince
Charitable Trust, The McNeil Foundation, The Field Foundation, The
Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, The Alphawood Foundation,
The Arts Engagement Exchange through The Chicago Community Trust, The
MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at the Richard H. Driehaus
Foundation, S & C Electric Company, The Department of Cultural
Affairs, CityArtsII, a city agency, The Arts Work Fund for
Organizational Development through The Chicago Community Trust and The
Kinder Morgan Foundation.
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