Separating Fact from Fancy

A Classic Re-Born

12 Mo’ Angry Men, written and directed by Buffalo native TaNisha Fordham, is inspired by the 1954 teleplay and 1957 movie 12 Angry Men written by Reginald Rose. The original was written as a realistic jury room drama with 12 white men deciding the fate of a young Latino man, with the bigotry of the time fully on display. In this play, 11 black people and one white man are tasked with deciding the fate of a white police officer who shot and killed a 16 year old black boy. Ms. Fordham’s play is a reimagining of the original with 21st Century sensibilities and a great deal more discussion and internecine arguments about racism in which the jurors attack each other as well as racism.

Exploring Tensions

The male and female jurors are known only by their numbers. We get to know each one as an individual, along with the history of some, which is a testament to the writing skills of Ms. Fordham in this 70 minute play. She also effectively uses the device of a tableau to reenact the crime while the horrified jurors listen to the audio recording of it.

The large cast is excellent. Tanika Holmes (Juror 3) is brimming with righteous anger at the police and ready to fight anyone who questions her views. Do not mess with her. Raynardo Shedrick (Juror 4) an educated, button-down man and Kunjan Lyons-Latimer Glenn (Juror 7), a woman from the ‘hood, spar with each other throughout, with her mocking him and his retaliation at her. Shanntina Moore (Juror 8) is overwhelmed with emotion as she tries to stop the arguing and focus on the facts of the case, as does Julius Land (Juror 1), the foreman. Pamela Fordham (Juror 9) is a very religious older woman who questions the death penalty itself as she says, “He took someone’s life, now we take his. How are we better?” Tuhran Gethers (Juror 10) is very effective as a nasty man who disrespects just about everyone. Jake Hayes (Juror 11) is a kind-hearted Nigerian man who believes in family and who has a past. As do all of the jurors. Sean McCormack (Juror 5) is the lone white person on the jury. He puts his well-meaning foot in it more than once. Rounding out this fine cast are VerNia Garvin, Ember Tate, Christian Hines, Ben Caldwell, Cordell Hopkins and Jamael Long.

A Question of Objectivity

As the jurors argue back and forth, change their minds about the verdict, and try to come to an understanding, it becomes clear that an objective decision is almost impossible. We are all the products of our environment and our experiences. Our perceptions, decisions, and beliefs are colored by them. As we try to judge others, the facts may be clear, but intent and motivation are truly known only to the one being judged. How do we reconcile those things in our judgments?

12 Mo’ Angry Men is a thought-provoking piece of theater, with some surprises about the jurors and something else that will not be revealed here.