Los Angeles Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Artistically speaking, "12 Angry Men" is a relatively safe choice, guaranteed to appeal to theatergoers who appreciate comfortable familiarity and an edifying moral tone. Epps injects some risk by making his production about racial bias, but I wish he and his theater were more ambitious. The play is too blunt an instrument for a topic badly in need of more incisive dissection."
Edge
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Noted in the program is Epps' intention to "heighten those provocative issues to instigate still needed conversations on those subjects that are as relevant right now as they were when the play was written." There's a sort of camaraderie that the black men share, offering each other hugs and affirmation as they convince the remaining white jurors that there's a chance the defendant is innocent. The implications are apparent, but unfortunately they don't do the original story justice."
Stage and Cinema
- Somewhat Recommended
"...Is this a horrible production' Not even close. It's just an odd production, and a missed opportunity to prompt an authentic discussion on racism."
Stage Scene LA
- Recommended
"...A black-and-white cast adds provocative new shadings to 12 Angry Men as the Pasadena Playhouse revives the 20th Century jury room drama for a 21st Century audience, and though director Sheldon Epps' re-envisioning of Reginald Rose's now iconic play proves problematic, there's no denying the power of the dynamic dozen actors onstage at the Playhouse or of Rose's ingeniously constructed, beautifully written classic."
StageHappenings.com
- Recommended
"...But I have to say that I had never seen any production of 12 Angry Men as effective as this one playing at the Pasadena Playhouse."
ArtsInLA
- Recommended
"...The words electrifying and powerful need to be attached to this fine revival of Rose's work. Epps moves the actors about skillfully, allowing the dynamic among the actors to underline the philosophical issues raised. Lighting by Brian L. Gale and sound by Jon Gottlieb enhance the production. For solid performances and sheer magnetism, it would be hard to find a better production anywhere. The personal investment the ensemble has in the work makes it a standout."
LA Stage Times
- Somewhat Recommended
"...In this case, either the play should be done as originally intended - which Wilson probably would have preferred - or it should be much more radically overhauled and, perhaps, rewritten. From what I can glean, this production did change the text slightly to reflect the casting, notably in an earlier comment aimed indirectly at one of the black jurors. But a more convincing overhaul for the 21st century also would have required a more thorough rewrite of that bigot's final speech, as well as expanding the casting to include women and groups other than "white" and "black.""
On Stage Los Angeles
- Recommended
"...This is a wonderful play that speaks to the issues of prejudice, ageism and impatience. Each of the jurors is well developed, even the huge bully, Juror Number Three, Gregory North, whose height and bulk are literally loaded with weight and substance."
NoHoArtsDistrict
- Recommended
"...With a wonderfully complete and detailed set and costuming design by Stephanie Kerley Schwartz to the nice heart pounding sound design of Jon Gottlieb, this play has everything you would want in a drama. It's passionate. It's colorful. It's timely. It's real. Go see "12 Angry Men" at the Pasadena Playhouse and bring the whole family. You'll have some wonderful discussions about it long after you see it. Bravo gentlemen!"
Culture Spot LA
- Recommended
"...Sheldon Epps, the Pasadena Playhouse's artistic director and director of the striking classic drama "Twelve Angry Men," adds color to Reginald Rose's already volatile (and smartly written) mix. A strong, talented cast of six white and six black actors essay the roles of the 12 jurors in a murder trial set in the 1950s, or possibly in current times."
