William Electric Black has spent a career telling stories on screen and stage. On Aug. 1, the seven-time Emmy Award winner will attempt one of his most ambitious theatrical feats yet: portraying an entire jury by himself.
The solo performance, “12 Angry Electrics,” comes to The Open Eye Theater in Margaretville at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, transforming the intimate Catskills venue into a courtroom where one actor embodies all 12 jurors wrestling with a verdict.
Black, who conceived, wrote, directed and performs the production, is a professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He previously appeared at The Open Eye with his one-man production of Electric’s West Side Story, in which he performed every role. His latest work raises the stakes further by asking audiences to follow the shifting perspectives of a dozen distinct personalities engaged in a tense deliberation.
To heighten the experience, The Open Eye Theater is reconfiguring its seating to resemble a courtroom, placing audience members in close proximity to the action.
Beyond its theatrical innovation, the production examines the responsibilities of jury service and the importance of impartial justice.
He said the play ultimately encourages audiences to approach others with openness and respect.
Following the performance, audience members are invited to remain for a talkback with Black, where discussion will focus on the play’s themes, the creative process behind the production and participants’ own experiences with jury service.
“12 Angry Electrics” will be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at The Open Eye Theater, 960 Main St., Margaretville. Advance reservations are recommended. Tickets and additional information are available at theopeneyetheater.org or by calling 845-586-1660.
