Penn Manor High School will present “Twelve Angry Jurors,” a courtroom drama in which a jury must decide the fate of a man on trial for murder, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, November 18, and Saturday, November 19, in the Penn Manor High School auditorium.

Tickets are $5 for students and $7 for adults and can be ordered by calling 872-9520, ext. 1958, or online at this link.

The play is set entirely in a deliberation room, where a jury has just voted 11-1 for a guilty verdict, with one holdout. Tempers flare as the jurors try to convince the lone dissenter to come around to their side. As the evidence is re-examined, new uncertainties come to light, forcing everyone to question if there is, in fact, “reasonable doubt.”

“Twelve Angry Jurors” marks a departure from the usual comedies and musicals performed on the Penn Manor stage.

“Penn Manor had never done ‘Twelve Angry Jurors,’ and in light of the current political atmosphere, I thought it was the perfect time to do it,” said Carole Shellenberger, who directs the play. “It was time for us to do a drama.”

“There aren’t any punch lines, so doing a drama has really been a challenge,” said Penn Manor senior Maddie Beatty, who portrays Juror #8. “Every line is a cue line.”

Penn Manor senior Kris Boston (Juror #3) said, “You have to always be in the moment, even when you’re not speaking. Body language is very important.”

Maddie said she believes audience members will identify with the issues raised in “Angry Jurors,” including justice, social class and personal bias.

Portraying the other jurors are Logan Connelly, Garrison Webster, Claudia Heitland, Alex Anderson, Kassidy Ponton, Alex Patterson, Hailey Fafel, Parker Brown, Skyla Taglieri and Max Minnick.

In addition to Shellenberger, adults assisting in the production include Melissa Mintzer, assistant director/house manager; Dianne Bates, set design/construction; Dakota Jordan, lighting/construction; Ben Moore, sound; and Melissa Telesco, costumes.

Don’t miss this riveting drama!