Legacy Christian Academy produces dinner theater special ‘12 Angry Jurors’

For the second time in three years, it’s a spring dinner theater special at Legacy Christian Academy, as the high school puts on its final weekend of “12 Angry Jurors” April 26-27.

The play, an adaptation of the film “12 Angry Men,” is an intense, provocative production, with the timing fitting perfectly for this year’s cast.

“A few factors went into the decision for producing ‘12 Angry Jurors’ as our spring show,” LCA director Jesse Wagner said. “The first reason was timing. This is a tough show to produce at a high school level, so we had to have the right chemistry of students, and those with some acting experience under their belts. Another reason for the show choice: This was our second time in three years that we decided to present the show as a dessert theater (catered again by Truffles and Tortes of Anoka!), and we wanted to choose a show that would produce some thought-provoking conversations during the extended intermissions when dessert was served.”

In the play, what appears at first to be an open-and-shut case turns out to be much more involved, as 12 jurors must come together to decide the fate of the accused.

Befitting a tense jury room, the play makes use of a tight space to add to the intensity and impact of the decision they must make.

“We have a unique set design for this show with the implementation of a stage rake (the stage is build up at an angle, and following equity guidelines of no more than 3/4 of an inch per foot of stage) and build as a perspect (getting smaller as it progresses from downstage to upstage), which provides great visual elements for the audience, and physical motivation for the actors to feel ‘cramped/discomfort’ in the jury deliberation room,” Wagner said.

“Our production of ‘12 Angry Jurors’ brings together the best elements of Legacy Theatre. Between our seasoned student actors who have taken this timely expose on prejudice and brought it to life with poignant realism, and our upscale dessert theater experience, audiences have responded positively, with comments from our first three shows including: ‘a top-notch night out at the theater!’ and ‘one of the best shows I’ve seen at LCA to date!’ We hope audiences will come see this truly exceptional student production of our show!”

The closing performances are Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 27, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit lcatheatre.simpletix.com/#smtx-click.