Theater Classic ‘Twelve Angry Men’
Onstage at RUHS November 15-17

Actors rehearse a scene from the RHS production of "Twelve Angry Men," directed by Brian Rainville. Performances will be Nov. 15-17 at the high school.

The classic 1950s play "Twelve Angry Men," showcasing the efforts of more than 40 young actors and technicians, will take the stage at Randolph Union High School November 15-17. Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and all tickets are available at the door.  

Written by Reginald Rose in response to Senator Joseph McCarthy’s anti-Communist witch hunt, which damaged or destroyed the careers of notable academics, artists, and political activists, the work has endured for more than half a century. Its stirring defense of fundamental democratic principles, including the right to a lawyer and a public hearing, was made famous in a movie of the same name, which starred Hollywood giants Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb.  

As in the film, the staged version offered at RUHS transpires in a single room. Members of the cast and crew, under the watchful eye of newfound technical director Abner Olmstead, have faithfully recreated this slice of a Manhattan courthouse. RUHS students turned legs for the conference table made in-house, built complex window units, and applied wainscot to the walls. Director Brian C. Rainville notes that, "troupe records suggest there hasn’t been a set with this level of historical detail since ‘The Man Who Came to Dinner’ was staged five years ago. The stunning production design that audiences have come to expect from Randolph's thespians will be apparent in the costuming as well."

"Drama Mama" LaRae Francis and junior Libby Crowe, with their team of volunteers, have assembled an extensive array of 1950s fashions.

The cast, which began rehearsals in early September, is led by seniors Muriel Garner, Katie Yawney, Abby Hutchinson, Nathaniel Butterfield, and Matt Messier. Juniors Ben Strange, Kim Francis, Rachel Dube, Lauren Soares, Hannah Butterfield, Bobby Marchione, and Zoe Gabe-Smith round out the principals, and Casey Bonoyer and Jon Giannino are also part of the ensemble.

Lighting design is by Anthony Fiorillo, sound design by Simon Brown, and Carly Allen is the stage manager. Parent Nina Gaby-Smith leads the team responsible for make-up and hair design.   

Rainville notes that, "This performance continues a string of challenging work undertaken by RUHS thespians. In the last two seasons, they have tackled works by Thornton Wilder, Margaret Edson, Charles Dickens, and Jean Anilouh. RUHS has been honored to claim three New England Championships in a single nine-year period."

As for why this particular work was selected for production, Rainville said it’s really quite simple. "I’m finishing my Master’s Degree in American Studies. My thesis is grounded in constitutional law, notably the creation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The constitution has been at the center of my curricula since I started working at RUHS in January of 1996. Since the theater is an extension of my classroom, it was a natural choice. Learning doesn’t stop in this building at 2:30 every afternoon. I hope the members of our audience will agree."

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