Fair Lawn High Students Perform 'Twelve'

By Cornell Christianson

Fair Lawn High School’s drama club, the Masques, put on a powerful performance of “Twelve,” a mixed-gender adaptation of “12 Angry Men,” this time with six men and six women.

A boy who is never seen is on trial for murdering his father. The 12 jurors enter the jury room. Eleven vote guilty. The single holdout is Juror #8, played wonderfully by Trevor Braun. As Braun argues his jurors to re-examine the evidence, the play reveals something about each member of the jury.

Juror #3, performed superbly and convincingly by Matthew Mucha, is a bullying self-made man.

Juror #7, acted admirably by Kayleigh Barbarulo, has a mistrust for foreigners. Juror #6, played strongly by Delvin Grullon seems to identify with the accused boy. Juror #10 was both beautiful and evil in a rich performance by Chrissy Healey.

Juror #11, acted first-rate by Evelin Stavnitser, assumes that since the boy was arrested, he must be guilty. Juror #4, played intensely by Bradly Taylor, supports dispassionate deductive reasoning. Juror #5, performed boffo by Samantha Unger, identifies with the defendant since she too comes from the “streets”. Juror #12, acted splendidly by Hailey Aversa, is an advertising woman who only understands what she can package.

And Jurors #1 (Mihir Beg), #2 (Erin Murray in a very funny role) and #9 (Ryan Smith), go with the flow. The beginning of the play is unusual with Lady Justices played by Meg Baldwin and Sarah Gruber. Justin Harrison does a fine job as the Guard.

The play has little action, the tension comes from a conflict of personality, body language, and the dialogue. Braun slowly and methodically sways the 11 jurors, one by one, using compassion, reason and common sense. The message is “one man can make a difference” said audience member Nicki Kissil, as well as “don’t prejudge, keep an open mind.”

“Casting women in six of the roles was a fascinating exercise for all of us,” said Mike Perratta, the director and head of the Masques. “And I think the "testosterone-driven" play, as film director William Friedkin called it, works equally well with a mixed-gender cast.” He said the adjustments they made in terms of text were actually minimal and they constantly found new dynamics in rehearsal. 

Perrotta said they decided to call their production "Twelve" when they realized that even the word "angry" was too limiting for them. 

“The range of emotions in that jury room is vast,” he said, “And my student actor/collaborators constantly mined new territory. They're smart kids.”