12 Angry Men

 12 Angry Men
City Gate Productions
The Stone Circle Theatre
March 1, 2024 

Photo courtesy of City Gate Productions

City Gate Productions was founded in December, 2021 with the main purpose of presenting quality theatre experiences around the borough of Queens.  The company travels to different locations, scouting out spaces that meet the specific feeling and environment for their upcoming shows.  The venue for their present production of 12 Angry Men is Stone Circle Theatre (59-14 70^th Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385).  The play is presented in the round. Director Cathy Chimenti skillfully builds the tension in this classic courtroom drama, keeping the audience emotionally and intellectually engaged.  The cast creates distinct, headstrong characters, who discover the true concept of reasonable doubt. 

James Brautigam & Frank DiSpigno
Photo courtesy of City Gate Productions

As twelve men enter the jury room, you hear mention that their deliberations will not take very long.  It sounds like a cut and dry case.  Guilty as charged.  Juror #7 (played by Daniel Wolfe Mitnik) has theatre tickets, and wants to get out of there.  Juror #10 (played by Frank DiSpigno) is certain of his guilty vote, as are most of the other men.  There is one hold out.  Juror #8 (played by Max Bank) has reasonable doubt.  He requests a discussion before voting on the fate of the young man on trial.  The foreman (played by Joe Dujmic) leads the deliberation, then takes the vote.  Juror #9 (played by Bill McAndrews) is influenced by the reasoning of Juror #8, and votes not guilty.  Juror #3 (played by Robert Budnick) bullies him for being swayed.  This adds more doubt to the discourse, which extends the deliberation.  The more the men talk, the stronger their doubts become.  They re-enact parts of the crime.  The findings are surprising.    

Francis MacCall, Marco Malgioglio, & Joe Dujmic
Photo courtesy of City Gate Productions

The entire cast is excellent.  They are fully in sync with one another, creating heightened moments of frustration and aggression.  The arguments rise out of genuine concern for wanting to uncover the truth.  Robert Budnick (Juror #3) does not let up with the pushing and bullying, yet Max Bank (Juror #8) does not back down.  They are evenly matched.  The variation in their approach and tactics keeps the conflict polarized and realistic.  Bart Blachnio brings reason and intellect to the table as Juror #4.  He is fair and evenly tempered, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard.  This is why his changed vote carries so much weight.  Bill McAndrews is wise and calm as Juror #9.  Frank DiSpigno’s outburst as Juror #10 is shocking and impactful.

Photo courtesy of City Gate Productions

The play takes place in 1953, on a hot summer day in NYC with no air conditioning.  It offers a keen insight into the mindset of mid-century America.  Our shortcomings, prejudices, and judgments are blatantly clear.  This production is an interesting opportunity to assess how we, as a society, have and have not progressed over the past seventy years.   

City Gate Productions is a company worth keeping an eye on.  12 Angry Men is playing through March 10.  Take the M train to Queens, and check it out.  It is well worth the trip!  

Domenick Danza