Scott Ellis directs the new staging of the Reginald Rose classic jury room drama Twelve Angry Men which began previews Oct. 1 and opened Oct. 28 for a limited engagement at the American Airlines Theatre originally slated through Dec. 19. The work extends for the third time through Feb. 6, 2005.
Set in a jury room,Twelve Angry Men tells the story of a murder trial in which a youth is alleged to have killed his father. The case seems like an open-and-shut situation as eleven of the unnamed jurors believe the defendant to be guilty. Juror #8, however, is not so certain, stirring up the room and setting off a number of arguments.
The anonymous deciding dozen are Mark Blum, Kevin Geer, Philip Bosco, James Rebhorn, Michael Mastro, Robert Clohessy, John Pankow, Boyd Gaines, Tom Aldredge, Peter Friedman, Larry Bryggman and Adam Trese. Matte Osian performs as the guard.
Actor Ed Harris will make his Broadway directorial debut with Sam Shepard’s Fool for Love now set to begin its limited run in 2005 on a date to be set shortly.
Harris earned an Obie Award for originating the role of Eddie in the Shepard work during its Off-Broadway debut at the Douglas Fairbanks Theatre in 1983. Kathy Baker starred opposite Harris under the direction of the playwright. Fool for Love focuses on a chance meeting between two former lovers at a seedy motel near the Mojave Desert. As the story unravels, we learn that it may be more than just a chance encounter, and they may be more than just lovers.
Harris made his Broadway debut and earned a Tony Award nomination for his turn in Precious Sons. Other stage credits include Simpatico, Taking Sides, Prairie Avenue, Scar, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Grapes of Wrath, Sweet Bird of Youth and Trumbo.
The New Jersey native has also appeared in the films "A Beautiful Mind," "Stepmom," "The Truman Show," "Apollo 13," "The Right Stuff," "The Firm" and "Glengarry Glen Ross." Harris' feature film directorial debut, "Pollock," earned two Academy Award nominations.
The cast and designers of Fool for Love will be announced shortly.
Tickets to Twelve Angry Men at the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42 Street are available by calling (212) 719-1300. Tickets to Fool for Love will be available in early 2005. For more information, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.
