OxACT presents ‘12 Angry Jurors’
Oxford Area Community Theater is performing a three-act drama, “12 Angry Jurors,” starting Feb. 20.
Oxford Area Community Theater’s next performance, “12 Angry Jurors,” premieres on Feb. 20.
Originally called “12 Angry Men,” the television play by Reginald Rose first aired in 1954. It was adapted into a film and stage play in 1957.
The three-act, classic American courtroom drama takes place in a deliberation room, where the jury goes to make a decision on a murder case. Most of the jurors are ready to leave quickly and vote guilty, until one juror stands up.
“There is one standout, who has reasonable doubts,” Director Ben Mattox said. “And the play is about whether or not that person can make their point and change 11 people’s minds.”
Karl Mattox, Ben Mattox’s father, acts as one of the jurors in the play.
“I think the play is a very timely one because our society seems, to me, to be fractured,” Karl Mattox said, “and we deal with that in this play.”
He hopes people who see the play have a little better appreciation for theater after watching the performance.
Elena Albarrán, who plays the dissenting juror, shares the same sentiment about the play’s message.
“It spans any kind of political moment or issue, but it remains relevant, generation after generation,” Albarrán said. “It always asks people to question that kind of basic human instinct in that sense.”
Just as the cast members come together from different backgrounds, each juror’s character brings a different personality which forms a unique dynamic on stage.
The cast started reading for the play in November 2025, and have put time and energy into each rehearsal since. After four months of practicing lines, cues and blocking, the group is ready to perform for Oxford.
“I'm most looking forward to them finally performing for an audience,” Ben Mattox said, “and having that sense of pride that all this work is worth it.”
To hear what the jury decides, see the show this weekend, Feb. 20 - 22, and next weekend, Feb. 27 - March 1. The show will take place in the Oxford Community Arts Center Theater at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
“I'm biased, but I think it's one of the best shows that we’ve put on at OxACT,” Ben Mattox said.
Tickets are $15 and available for reservation by phone at 513-523-6228, or online through oxact.org.
