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THE BASICS: 12 Mo’ Angry Men : Written and Directed by TaNisha Fordham
At the Lorna C. Hill Theater at Ujima Theatre Company, 429 Plymouth Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14213. The production runs Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Dec. 1 – 17. For tickets — https://www.simpletix.com/e/12-mo-angry-men-tickets-130830#smtx-click
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: This is a reimagining of, “12 Angry Men,” the 1955 award winning play and film, written by Reginald Rose. Buffalo native, TaNisha Fordham, sets her adaptation in the present day. 11 Black jurors and 1 white juror deliberate about the guilt and/or innocence of a white police officer who shot and killed a 16 year old black teen. It is the Buffalo premiere of this drama. 12 Mo’ Angry Men has also been performed off off Broadway at The New York Theatre Festival.
RUNTIME: 70 minutes, no intermission
THE PLAYERS, THE PLAY, AND THE PRODUCTION:
Born and raised in Buffalo, TaNisha Fordham is a writer, director, performer and producer. Currently she is a Directing Fellow with the Broadway Theater Coalition, and she has both Broadway and off Broadway credits. “12 Mo’ Angry Men” represents the kind of work that Ujima has always been committed to,” says Company Interim Artistic Director, Sarah Norat-Phillips, “using theatre to shed light on critical community issues, providing a safe space to have community conversations around those issues and uplifting the work of new theatre voices.”
As in 12 Angry Men, twelve jurors who have different backgrounds and personalities, are challenged with trying to work together to collaborate on a shared decision.
The jurors aren’t the only ones with a big challenge here. Director Fordham had to work with 12 actors on stage at all times – each one responding individually to the play’s action. I was most impressed with her subtle directorial touches. After listening to a devastating audio tape, for example, the jurors feel weighted down emotionally and so moving their chairs and their bodies becomes very difficult for them.
The actors, also, successfully take on a big challenge because of the script’s fast pace and many asides. It is a minefield for their cues.
In 12 Angry Men, Henry Fonda as Juror 12, has to convince the eleven others to consider a “not guilty” decision. Christian Hines, in this play, doesn’t have as difficult a job as Fonda – some of the other jurors are onboard with “not guilty” right from the beginning. Mr. Hines gives a solid performance as the first dissenter and his presence onstage is an asset to any production.
Tanika Holmes – is outstanding as the juror who is “always about to snap.” She gives a firecracker of a performance and her moving monologue is a highlight of the evening.
Jake Hayes is another standout as a kindhearted juror who moved to the US from Nigeria. His character is a “cup half full” kind of guy. And Pamela Fordham and Tuhran Gethers do fine work as the eldest members of the jury.
All of the characters have their moment in the sun and give effective performances. VerNia Garvin is sympathetic as the good natured, youngest juror. Reynaldo R. Shedirck is the intellectual E.G Marshall character, Kunjane Lyons-Latimer is the flamboyant juror, and Shanntina Moore has a lot of pizzazz as Juror 8.
Some of the characters’ personalities are more clearly defined than others, but everyone – including Ember Tate, Julius Land, and Sean McCormack – does good ensemble work in a difficult play where the 12 actors have to be on their toes at all times.
Fordham’s play brings up many important issues in just 70 minutes – including race, bias, respect, the importance of listening, mental health, community policing and the American justice system. Although the ending is abrupt, it is an ambitious theatre piece and well worth attending.
*HERD OF BUFFALO (Notes on the Rating System)
ONE BUFFALO: This means trouble. A dreadful play, a highly flawed production, or both. Unless there is some really compelling reason for you to attend (i.e. you are the parent of someone who is in it), give this show a wide berth.
TWO BUFFALOS: Passable, but no great shakes. Either the production is pretty far off base, or the play itself is problematic. Unless you are the sort of person who’s happy just going to the theater, you might look around for something else.
THREE BUFFALOS: I still have my issues, but this is a pretty darn good night at the theater. If you don’t go in with huge expectations, you will probably be pleased.
FOUR BUFFALOS: Both the production and the play are of high caliber. If the genre/content are up your alley, I would make a real effort to attend.
FIVE BUFFALOS: Truly superb–a rare rating. Comedies that leave you weak with laughter, dramas that really touch the heart. Provided that this is the kind of show you like, you’d be a fool to miss it!
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