At Lampeter-Strasburg, some 'angry men' are young women

Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era

Nov 10, 2009 16:52 EST

Lampeter

By CINDY HUMMEL, Correspondent

Theatergoers attending the Lampeter-Strasburg School District's play "12 Angry Men" — which is being staged Wednesday through Saturday at 7 each night — should not come expecting the classic film starring Henry Fonda.

First, both male and female actors play the "angry men," who are jurors on a murder case. In fact, Fonda's character is played by Chelsea Lefever.

The play will feature theater-in-the round seating limited to 120 people each night, with the audience sitting in chairs on the stage.

Cast members said the set-up means that all actors' reactions are important throughout. Also, students move their chairs around an area where a jury table would have been in the film, counting off their numbers at each change.

"I was afraid of being angry at first," said Juliana Diehl, who plays Juror Number 7. "I did not want to offend anyone."

Seth McKeever, who plays Juror 9, said silence, which is more abundant in this play than in most high school productions, came naturally through the process of rehearsing the drama, which is directed by Jeff Marsh.

Tickets are $4 and are available at the high school office. Advance ticket purchases are strongly advised. Call 464-3311 for more information.