One of the upcoming events I'm most looking forward to is the Actors Theatre Playhouse's revival of its production of "!2 Angry Men."
ATP closed its season in 2006 with it, and it was a smash hit - so successful that many people who wanted to go couldn't get tickets. With what amounts to an all-star cast of seasoned local theater veterans, it's little wonder the play was successful. I'm glad they've decided to revive it, because I'm one of those people who missed it the first time. I won't make that mistake again.
I have a great respect for the Actors Theatre Playhouse. With most so-called "local" or "community" theater outfits, you have to check some of your high expectations at the door. There's always some actor who, bless their heart, is trying but is just not up to snuff. I've never run into this with ATP. The quality of the acting is consistently high; you never have to accept second best.
ATP's vision is to put the focus on actors, directors and playwrights ... to strip plays back to their essentials and to focus on the steak instead of sizzly technical effects or plays that talk down to their audiences. That's refreshing.
That vision is supported by its theater space, which places the audience in very intimate relationship with the actors, up close and around nearly three sides of the stage. This, I imagine, is particularly compelling in "12 Angry Men." The audience must really feel like it's in the jury room, too.
At any rate, I intend to find out. "12 Angry Men" runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, June21-23 and 28-30, at 8 p.m. For reservations, call 877-233-7905. For information, visit www.actorsplay.org