Greatest courtroom drama of all time unfolds in Atlanta

The national tour of the recent Broadway smash hit, "Twelve Angry Men," written by Reginald Rose, directed by Scott Ellis, produced by New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company and starring Richard Thomas and George Wendt will play Atlanta at The Fox Theatre through January 7, 2007. The show is presented by Broadway Across America - Atlanta.

Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway production of the searing courtroom drama, "Twelve Angry Men," was the longest running production at their home, the American Airlines Theatre, running for 32 weeks. This production marked the first time the show was ever seen on a Broadway stage. Its record-breaking run earned three Tony Award nominations and unanimous praise from the critics.

"Twelve Angry Men" tells the story of a young delinquent awaiting sentencing for the manslaughter of his aggressive father. The production centers around the 12 jurors who are corralled in a room for their deliberations in the murder trial. One juror feels - to the frustration of the other 11 jurors - that there is “reasonable doubt,” thereby preventing a quick verdict. During the heated debate, the hidden preconceptions and assumptions of the jurors are revealed. When faced with playing the hangman, each juror is forced to face himself.

“Twelve Angry Men,” originally written as a teleplay that appeared in 1954 on CBS’ drama series “Studio One,” was one of the brightest jewels of television’s Golden Age. The story was subsequently made into a major motion picture in 1957. Reginald Rose, who would go on to create and write scripts for the television series, “The Defenders,” wrote a stage version in 1964. In 1997, Showtime, in response to questions about “reasonable doubt” raised during the OJ Simpson trial, produced a new movie version with a racially diverse cast.

The national tour of "Twelve Angry Men" stars Richard Thomas as Juror #8 and George Wendt as Juror #1.

Since his Broadway debut in “Sunrise At Campobello” in 1958, Thomas has appeared on the New York stage countless times, most recently in Roundabout Theatre Company’s Broadway production of Richard Greenberg’s “A Naked Girl On The Appian Way,” and last season in Michael Frayn’s ‘Democracy” and “As You Like It” in Central Park. He has performed a variety of classical roles around the country, including Hamlet, Richard III and Peer Gynt for Mark Lamos (Hartford Stage); Richard II for Michael Kahn (the Shakespeare Theatre), Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Angelo in Measure for Measure for Sir Peter Hall (the Ahmanson); The Count of Monte Cristo for Peter Sellars (Kennedy Center); and Danton’s Death for Robert Wilson (the Alley). He also appeared twice in Art in London’s West End. Thomas has starred in over forty films for television including Terrence McNally’s “Andre’s Mother” and the upcoming “Wild Hearts” for Hallmark. His television series have included “It’s A Miracle,” “Just Cause” and “The Waltons,” for which he won an Emmy Award in 1972.

Wendt is best known to television audiences as Norm Peterson from “Cheers.” The role earned him six Emmy® nominations. Wendt began his career with The Second City, Chicago’s famed improvisational company. He starred in “Art,” both on Broadway and in London in 1998. Wendt appeared in the critically acclaimed stage production of David Mamet’s “Lakeboat,” which was directed by Joe Mantegna, and frequently performs onstage in New York, Los Angeles and his native Chicago. His feature film credits include “Forever Young,” “Guilty By Suspicion,” “Fletch,” “Gung Ho,” “Rupert’s Land” and “Outside Providence.” Last year he starred in the Nickelodeon pilot “The Robertson’s Greatest Hits.” Most recently he hosted the A&E show “House of Dreams” and had an arc on the ABC series “The George Lopez Show.” On the feature front, he recently starred in the indie films “Kids in America” and “King of the Ants.” He is currently working on the half hour WB/Jerry Bruckheimer series “Modern Man.”

"Twelve Angry Men" is directed by Scott Ellis, the Associate Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Company. For Roundabout, he has directed the current production, “Entertaining Mr. Sloane,” with Alec Baldwin. Past Roundabout Broadway productions include "Twelve Angry Men" (Drama Desk, Tony nom.), “The Look of Love,” Rodgers & Hart’s “The Boys From Syracuse,” Arthur Miller’s “The Man Who Had All The Luck” (Roundabout & Williamstown), “The Rainmaker” with Woody Harrelson and Jayne Atkinson, “1776” (Drama Desk, Tony nom.), “Company” (Tony nom.), “She Loves Me” (Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk, Tony nom),
“Picnic” (Outer Critics nom.) and “A Month In The Country” with Helen Mirren. Currently, Ellis is represented on off-Broadway by the critically acclaimed production of “The Little Dog Laughed” by Douglas Carter Beane.

The design team for "Twelve Angry Men" includes: Allen Moyer (sets), Michael Krass (costumes), Paul Palazzo (lights) and Brian Ronan (sound).

"Twelve Angry Men" is produced by Roundabout Theatre Company, one of the country’s leading not-for-profit theatres. The company contributes invaluably to New York’s cultural life by staging the highest quality revivals of classic plays and musicals, as well as new plays by established writers. Roundabout consistently partners great artists with great works to bring a fresh and exciting interpretation that makes each production relevant and important to today’s audiences. Under the continuing leadership of Artistic Director Todd Haimes, Roundabout is dedicated to the community of artists and loyal audience members that have made it one of New York's most popular not-for-profit cultural institutions. For more information on the Roundabout Theatre Company visit www.roundabouttheatre.org.

"Twelve Angry Men" will appear at The Fox Theatre Friday, January 5 at 8 p.m., Saturday, January 6 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 7 at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

Tickets for "Twelve Angry Men" are available for $14-$43 and can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 404-817-8700 or in person at The Fox Theatre box office. Tickets are also available through TicketMaster outlets. Orders for groups of 12 or more may be placed by calling 404-881-2000.

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