There are almost as many versions of the drama ”Twelve Angry Men” as there are characters. The Devonshire Playhouse in Skokie this month is presenting a hybrid update well-suited to contemporary tastes.
The work has taken a peculiar route from its beginning as a compelling CBS-TV ”Studio One” episode written by Reginald Rose in the mid-1950s. A different version subsequently was adapted for the Broadway stage by Sherman L. Sergel, and then Henry Fonda headlined a stellar cast in a 1957 film directed by Sidney Lumet.
Succeeding revivals of the play didn`t take issue with its all-male premise: A dozen men argue and even scuffle during courtroom jury
deliberations over a murder charge, with a lonely holdout unconvinced by the evidence. In recent years, however, the sameness of the cast has bothered feminists, and still another version, this one titled ”Twelve Angry Women,” was developed to give theater companies a choice.
Devonshire`s producer and director, Edward Berger, figured that a community-based group choosing between the two risked factious discord. So he wisely decided to marry the two versions. The company will produce ”Twelve Angry Jurors,” featuring six men and six women and a few compromises in dialogue, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Sept. 28 at the sponsoring Skokie Park District`s stage, 4400 Grove St. Skokie (674-1500).
Berger has gone a step further by casting counter to type. He`s selected Marge McKay to portray the loud, intolerant Juror No. 3, an Archie Bunker sort unafraid to pick a fight to settle a dispute. The quiet, gentle Juror No. 8, the compassionate one, will be played by Ron Pregozen. `
”The standard route would have been to cast the two the other way, but that was too easy, I thought,” says Berger, who has become known for his unorthodox productions since founding Devonshire 11 years ago. ”I wanted to prove that a woman could be the heavy–that this play could be done with no sexual prejudice. This is the most liberated revival possible.”
Other leading actors include Joy Alfonsi, John Madvig and John Kowalski, a real-life refugee from Poland, portraying a concentration camp survivor serving on his first jury.
Audition dates will be announced later for Devonshire`s second production of the season, Neil Simon`s ”The Prisoner of Second Avenue,” which is scheduled for November.
NOTES:
”My Papa`s Wine,” an original drama by Chicago playwright Ron Mark, runs at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 29 at Saint Xavier College, 3700 W. 103d St. It`s presented by the Theatre II Repertory Co. Call 779-3300.
–A Riverfront Playhouse production of D.L. Coburn`s ”The Gin Game” is set for 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday and 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sept. 29 at the Orchard Theatre in the Old Orchard Country Club, 700 Rand Rd., Mt. Prospect. David Morris directs and stars with his wife Jo. Call 259-4840.
–The oldest community theater group around Chicago, the Theatre of Western Springs, opens its 57th season this weekend with a revival of Neil Simon`s ”Chapter Two.” The group is extending its plays this year to a third weekend; ”Chapter Two” will run through Sept. 28. The stars include Chuck Bona of Hinsdale, Dennis Hudson of Chicago and Mary Kirkman of Lombard. Call 246-3380.
