TWELVE ANGRY MEN Comes to Charlotte

“This is one jury-stint you won’t try to get out of. A!” - Entertainment Weekly

“Roundabout Theatre Company's acclaimed revival presents edge-of-your-seat narrative with juicy acting turns, resulting in a crackling good time!”- Variety
Charlotte, NC – Roundabout Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed national touring production of the Broadway smash hit, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, will play eight performances May 27 – June 1 at the Belk Theater (130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte). Tickets start at $20 and are available at BlumenthalCenter.org, by calling (704) 372-1000 or at the Performing Arts Center box office now located in the Belk Theater lobby.
The show stars Richard Thomas as Juror 8. Also returning from last season are Mike Boland, Charles Borland, Todd Cerveris, Jeffrey Hayenga, David Lively, Mark Morettini and Julian Gamble. Rounding out the cast are Kevin Dobson, Thomas Gebbia, James Greene, Tony Ward and Mike DiSalvo.
The critics have been unanimous in their praise for the production across the country. The Washington Post called the show, “Theatrically irresistible…seductive…sends a chill up the spine!” while The Boston Globe enthused, “The play grips you from the start and never lets up. It's…a pleasure and a treasure after all these years.”
In addition to the critical accolades for the show, TWELVE ANGRY MEN has been the recipient of several local awards for excellence including the Independent Reviewers of New England Best Visiting Production – Large Stage Award for the Boston engagement, Cincinnati’s Acclaim Award for Best Touring Production and a Helen Hayes Award nomination for Outstanding Non-resident Production (Washington, D.C.).
Written by Reginald Rose and directed by Scott Ellis (Roundabout Associate Artistic Director), TWELVE ANGRY MEN is the first touring production for the not-for-profit organization. The design team for TWELVE ANGRY MEN includes Allen Moyer (sets), Michael Krass (costumes), Paul Palazzo (lights) and Brian Ronan (sound).
In TWELVE ANGRY MEN, a young delinquent awaits sentencing for the manslaughter of his aggressive father. Twelve jurors are corralled in a room for their deliberations in a murder trial. One juror feels that there is a “reasonable doubt” – to the frustration of his eleven colleagues – thereby preventing a quick verdict. During the heated debate, the hidden preconceptions and assumptions of the jurors are revealed. When faced with playing the hangman, each juror is forced to face himself. “Twelve Angry Men,” originally written as a teleplay that appeared in 1954 on CBS’ drama series “Studio One,” was one of the brightest jewels of television’s Golden Age. The story was subsequently made into a major motion picture in 1957. Reginald Rose, who would go on to create and write scripts for the television series, “The Defenders,” wrote a stage version in 1964. In 1997, Showtime, in response to questions about “reasonable doubt” raised during the OJ Simpson trial, produced a new movie version with a racially diverse cast.
Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway production of TWELVE ANGRY MEN was the longest –running production at their home, the American Airlines Theatre, extending an unprecedented seven times to run for 32 weeks. This production marked the first time the show was ever seen on a Broadway stage. Its record-breaking run earned three Tony Award nominations and unanimous praise from the critics. “The undeniable hit of the Broadway dramatic season!” raved Jesse McKinley (New York Times). John Simon (New York Magazine) proclaimed it, “A classic in the making!” and Michael Kuchwara (Associated Press) described it as, “Exhilarating! An absorbing theatrical experience.”
PERFORMANCE DATES & TICKET PRICES:
TWELVE ANGRY MEN runs May 27 – June 1 on Tuesday – Friday nights at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets range in price from $20 - $59.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
TUESDAY, MAY 27 at 6 p.m.
TEACHERS LOUNGE
GW Fins (525 N. Tryon Street, b/w 8th & 9th)
Meet other educators at a special pre-show party with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks at GW Fins and enjoy a special Buy One, Get One offer on select Mezzanine and Balcony seats for that evening’s 8 p.m. show. Visit BlumenthalCenter.org/teacherslounge for more details.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 at 7 p.m.
INTERESTING INSIGHTS (Belk Mezzanine Lobby)
Get a backstage perspective on the show with the production stage manager and a local legal expert. Free event for Wednesday evening ticketholders.
THURSDAY, MAY 29 at 6:30 p.m.
CLUB BLUME (Belk Mezzanine Lobby)
Enjoy a pre-show reception with other twenty- and thirtysomethings. Save $15 on select Orchestra seats.
Club Blume is sponsored by American Express.
THURSDAY, MAY 29 at 6:30 p.m.
CHARLOTTE LIVE STUDENT NIGHT (McColl Room)
A special night for high school students. Enjoy $15 tickets and a pre-show party with food and drinks. Meet and greet with cast members too! Limit one ticket per student ID. Visit BlumenthalCenter.org/charlottelive for more details.
TWELVE ANGRY MEN is produced by ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY, one of the country’s leading not-for-profit theatres. Led by Artistic Director Todd Haimes, the company contributes invaluably to New York’s ultural life by staging the highest quality revivals of classic plays and musicals, as well as new plays by established writers. Roundabout consistently partners great artists with great works to bring a fresh and exciting interpretation that makes each production relevant and important to today’s audiences. Under the continuing leadership of Artistic Director Todd Haimes, Roundabout is dedicated to the community of artists and loyal audience members that have made it one of New York’s most popular not-for-profit cultural institutions.
Major support for the national tour of TWELVE ANGRY MEN is generously provided by American Airlines. Roundabout Theatre Company productions are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation; New York State Council on the Arts; National Endowment for the Arts; and New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. American Airlines is the official airline of Roundabout Theatre Company.
The North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalCenter.org. The Center receives operating support from the Arts & Science Council and the North Carolina Arts Council. The Center is also supported through the generous aid of its sponsors, including Presbyterian Hospital, The Official Healthcare Provider; U.S. Airways, Official Airline of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center; and Stanford Financial Group, sponsor of the Stanford Broadway Lights Series.