(Hamilton, NY – April 2012)  12 Angry Men is a thrilling drama about one man’s passion and commitment to stand firm with his convictions. Twelve jurors are locked in a room to deliberate about a murder case; is the 19-year-old man guilty of fatally stabbing of his father. “He doesn’t stand a chance.” mutters the guard as the 12 jurors are taken into the bleak jury room. It looks like an open-and-shut case—until one of the jurors begins opening the others’ eyes to the facts.

“This is a remarkable thing about democracy,” says the foreign-born juror, “that we are notified by mail to come down to this place—and decide on the guilt or innocence of a man; of a man we have not known before. We have nothing to gain or lose by our verdict. We should not make it a personal thing.” But personal it does become, with each juror revealing his character as the various testimonies are re-examined, the murder is re-enacted, tempers get short, arguments grow heated, and the jurors become 12 angry men. The jurors’ final verdict and how they reach it—intense scenes that will electrify the audience and keep them on the edge of their seats—add up to a fine, mature piece of drama  that will pose the question, “What would I do?”

12 Angry Men was originally written in 1954 as a teleplay then adapted into a screenplay by Reginald Rose. Sidney Lumet directed the 1957 movie starring Henry Fonda. Nick Preuninger (Oneida) is the juror who stands alone, Mason McDowell (Hamilton) is the defendant, and Bruce Ward is the guard. The remaining cast of Paul Hernon (New Hartford), Scott Douglas (Norwich), Jack Cofano (Clinton), Michael Schuyler (Clinton) Adam Spiridilozzi (Utica), Peter Dowling (Oneida), Sean McNichol (Oneida), Thom Capozzella (Utica), Rick Signorelli (Utica), Randy Leers (Whitesboro), and Richard K. Stoodley (Westmoreland) adds fuel to the fire as the eleven jurors who just want to close the case and go home; until they begin to question their motives and beliefs.

“It takes humility to acknowledge our flaws, but “a great deal of courage” to turn that acknowledgement into action.” says Alessandro Trinca (Oneida), director of 12 Angry Men. Trinca has directed two other productions with The Palace Players. Stage management is by Mason McDowell and Taiward Wider (Hamilton). Lights are Kevin Lane and sound is Luke Marshall. This play is made possible in part thanks to Bruce Stewart, DDS of Oneida.

12 Angry Men will take the stage on Friday April 27 and Saturday April 28 at 8:00pm. Tickets are $12 for adults (18+) and $8 for students (with ID). Reservations can be made by calling 315-824-1420. Tickets may also be purchased at the Palace box office (Mondays-Fridays, 9am-4pm, and two hours prior to each show); payment is accepted by VISA, Mastercard, Colgate Gatecard, cash, or check payable to The Palace Theater. Seating is general admission and the house will open 30 minutes before show time.

Pictured is the cast.

The Palace Players are Hamilton’s independent community theater group, performing at the Palace Theater on Utica Street. They strive to enrich the cultural and economic fabric of the greater Hamilton community through the performing arts. Visit palacetheater.org or call to learn more about the 2012 – 2013 season of live national and community theater.

(Hamilton, NY – April 2012) The Barge, 37 Lebanon St., Hamilton, announced recently that Buzz Universe will be coming to town April 21 at p.m.

Having never abandoned their progressive rock roots, BuzzUniverse ambitiously incorporates elements of traditional rock and roll, acoustic folk, South American cantatas, world rhythms and old-school funk into their own distinctive blend of classic rock.