BLT back on stage with drama 'Twelve Angry Men'
In August 2020, the cast and crew of the Butler Little Theatre were about two weeks into rehearsals to finally perform “Twelve Angry Men,” but the coronavirus had other plans.
More than a year and a large turnaround in cast members later, the theater is a little over a week away from finally putting on the show, which is a dream for its director, longtime BLT member Dennis Casey.
“It's a favorite of mine and the Little Theatre has never done it,” Casey said. “Not snow, nor rain, nor COVID was going to stop me from doing this show.”
The coronavirus pandemic caused the BLT to cancel its planned 80th season last year, making “Twelve Angry Men,” by Reginald Rose, the first in-person show it is producing in about a year-and-a-half.Several members of the original cast from summer 2020 could not return this year to do the show. But the current cast and crew are excited to return to the stage.“Acting is like an addiction,” said Sis Fleming, one of the producers of the show. “I think it will be great for people to come see and for the actors.”“Twelve Angry Men” is a drama that tells the story of 12 unnamed jurors who over the course of the show deliberate over the trial of a young man accused of murder.
Casey said the show is not only entertaining for its drama, but also has themes relevant to people in 2021.“I think it has a lot to say to contemporary society,” Casey said. “There are themes of what is fact, what is not fact, preconceived notions, people's roles in society. There is a lot to be learned from this show.”During the play, the 12 jurors deliberate over the trial, which leads to twists and turns in its characters and story.Steve Kalina has not performed with BLT in several years, but said he was drawn back into acting by the chance to do this show.“It's a crescendo of rising tension,” he said. “There is a lot in this show that is relevant now.”“Twelve Angry Men” is also unique in that everyone in its main cast is on stage throughout the entire show. The theater's seating capacity of 150 also adds to the intimacy of the show, Fleming said.“I loved this space and love the chance to perform,” said Rik Medic, who plays one of the jurors in the show. “None of us leave the stage once the show starts. It's unique to have all 12 of us there at all times.”Lynne O'Meara is new to BLT, but said she was excited to get involved because of its long history.“It's exciting to be acting with a group that has existed for so long,” she said.According to Casey, BLT is the longest continually-running community theater in western Pennsylvania, with it just surpassing its 80th consecutive season. Its streak was not ruined by the pandemic because the theater put on its first-ever virtual broadcast in March by streaming the show “Overruled” on its Facebook page.The theater announced Wednesday it would require everyone to wear masks while inside the theater for a performance.Additionally, the theater spent a portion of its budget buying a new air filter system that will clean the air inside the facility.“Twelve Angry Men” is showing from Sept. 24 to Oct. 2. Curtain is at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Tickets are $13 each and are available at bltgroup.org, or by calling the box office at 724-287-6781 between the hours of 7 and 9 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
