Director's Note

The original broadcast of Reginald Rose’s 12 Angry Men was first televised on September 20th, 1954, as a Westinghouse Studio One production. The story is loosely based on Rose’s own experience as a juror himself, who happened to be on a manslaughter case. If that doesn’t make for interesting drama, I don’t know what does.

The subject matter is very topical as it resonates with what is going on in our country today. Since the early days of prejudice and civil rights, sadly not much has changed. We have heard it, but have we listened or changed it? Some may say yes, some not so much.

Why 12 Angry Men? Well, simply put, it’s a masterpiece. Over the last 25 years there has been an influx of courtroom dramas shown on television, movies, and on a stage. It’s exciting for the spectator to be inside the courtroom. Watching every detail as it happens. The decision to direct in ¾ thrust was vital as it fosters audience inclusion rather than watching the action proscenium style.

My biggest challenge as a woman was getting into the brains of all these men and their characters. It was also critical for me to remain authentic to the original script and landscape of the time (the 1950’s) and traditionally cast all men of various ages. This made for a well-rounded team of players, who could bring their own diversity and substance to the piece. I also wanted to preserve the racial conflict of an all-white jury versus a minority defendant. In the end, bigotry never wins.

Please enjoy the show!
Cathy Chimenti

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cast and crew bios

Joe Dujmic (Foreman) is an attorney in private practice that credits (blames) “Twelve Angry Men” for steering him in the direction of the practice of law. He is excited to be acting in his favorite play of all time and wants to thank all of his family and friends for their support. Joe also hopes that his acting skills could possibly lead another generation of young folks to the very joy (misery) of being an attorney themselves. Enjoy the show.

Francis MacCall (Juror#2) used to be an angry kid, and now he's an angry man, and he's thrilled about it! Filling Juror #2's shoes has brought many joys into Francis' life, not the least including that you are here seeing the show today! He hopes that his and his fellow Jurors' anger doesn't rub off onto you! Keep an eye out for other productions that Francis may or may not be angry in at francismaccall.com or @frxnc.ois.

Robert Budnick (Juror #3) is thrilled to be making his City Gate debut with this production. Off Broadway, he created the role of Huntington in The Witch of Wall Street at The York Theatre. Professional Regional Theatre credits: 1776 (Hopkins), Oklahoma! (Cord) both at the Engeman Theatre, Crazy for You (Zangler) at the Montclair Theatre, Grumpy Old Men: the Musical (Grandpa Gustafson) and Guys and Dolls (Arvide) with Plaza Broadway at Elmont. Selected LI theatre favorites: The Crucible, Quills, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, An Inspector Calls, Beau Jest, Art, The Gin Game, I’m Not Rappaport, The Sunshine Boys, The Seafarer, The Cat’s Meow, The Front Page, A View from the Bridge, Sly Fox, Don’t Drink the Water, Witness for the Prosecution, three productions of 1776 as John Adams, the title roles in George and Gracie: a Love Story, Groucho: A Life in Revue, three productions of Visiting Mr. Green, and Fiorello! Robert is also a professional musician (piano, keyboards, vocals), and a retired NYC DOE HS English teacher.

Bart Błachnio (Juror #4) is excited to be bringing Juror #4 to life as part this production of 12 Angry Men and is grateful to City Gates Productions for bringing him on board. A Polish-born actor now based out of his adopted home of New York City, Bart moved to the United States at a young age and grew up in neighboring New Jersey. Though his path to acting has been non-traditional, having spent a number of years making his mark in corporate America, Bart has quickly proven himself a dependable and versatile performer. From acting in his native Polish for an award-winning short film to a lead role in an indie feature that streamed on major platforms to stepping on stage in NYC—he has tackled a variety of projects since reuniting with his passions and is excited for what the future has in store. Bart studied Sociology and Theatre at Rutgers University and has conservatory training from Atlantic Acting School. Mamo, dziekuje ci za wszystko; and Liss, your support keeps my fire lit. —@HeyBartosz

Conrad O'Neill Rippy (Juror #5) is a proud graduate of NYU's Classical Studio and Experimental Theatre Wing. Previous work includes Macbeth with Inkblot Theater Company, and 10x10, As You Like It, and Hamlet with the Black Box Performing Arts Center. *Conrad is appearing courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association.

Marco Malgioglio (Juror #6) is a New York City based actor who has appeared in a variety of theatrical, television and film productions throughout the NYC area. Recently, he was cast in the leading role as a detective gone bad in an independent feature film thriller to be released in the fall of 2024. His many theater credits include appearances with the Hudson Guild Theaters 'Winterfest' festival, the SoHo Playhouse, The Players Theater and the Lark Theater Development Center. As a voice over artist, he recently made his debut playing the voice of a jilted lover in the short film 'Maria'. He is a former student of the 'Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater' and has studied with renowned instructors including mentor Elizabeth Kemp and Susan Batson. In addition to his acting endeavors, he is an accomplished classical/commercial musician as a French Horn player and pianist. 12 Angry Men marks his first production with City Gate Productions.

Daniel Wolfe Mitnik (Juror#7) NYC –The Leopard and the Lynx (Patrick Dennis), Verbatim (Reese), The Assassination of J. Kaisar (Cassius), The Detective Story (Det. Gallagher), In the Boom Boom Room (Harold), A Lie of the Mind (Baylor), Our Town (Doc Gibbs); Regional Theater - The Bald Soprano (The Fire Chief), Much Ado About Nothing (Dogberry), Taming of the Shrew (Grumio), A Thousand Clowns (Arnold Burns), Prelude to a Kiss (the Old Man), The Comedy of Errors (Dromio): Daniel is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he studied theatre and English literature, and the Terry Knickerbocker Studio, a two year Meisner conservatory.

Max Bank (Juror #8) is a New York City born, raised, and based actor and comedian. Recent theater credits include Demetrius in a Midsummer Night's Dream (Parkside Players), Joseph Surface in School for Scandal (Hudson Classical Theater Company), and Theseus/ Oberon in a (different) Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare After Dark). He played a lead in The Biting Tree, which won a special jury prize at the New York Short Film Festival. He also cohosts Cage Match, New York's longest running improv show, every Wednesday at 8:30pm at Brooklyn Comedy Collective in Williamsburg. He was 2006's Time Person of the Year.

Bill McAndrews (Juror #9) is a native New Yorker and is excited to be playing Juror # 9 in City Gate Productions’ Twelve Angry Men. Selected theater credits include Tree, Stephen (A Women At His Side), Thomas Edison (Shareholder Value), Joshua/Martin (Cloud 9), Cardinal Wolsey (A Man for all Seasons), Master Mayor (WUTOPIA at Columbia Stages), and Jonhan Von Struck (Amadeus). Bill has also appeared in several Independent short films, the musical video Amor Bonito by Grupo Classe and recently completed work on Political War, a Bollywood feature film, to be released in February 2024. Love to Marjorie. Carpe Diem!

Frank DiSpigno (Juror #10) has been a veteran stage performer in New York City as well as regional theatre and summer stock. Frank is proud to have appeared in such exciting works as Our Town; A Few Good Men; Sleuth; Chapter Two; Other People’s Money; Nuts; Clarence Darrow; Equus; Inherit The Wind; Cat On A Hot Tin Roof; and All My Sons. He would like to thank the astonishing Cathy Chimenti for allowing him to be a part of this 12 Angry Men company!!

Gal Yosepov (Juror #11) is an actor and producer based in NYC, he’s a graduate of the Stella Adler Studio of Acting professional conservatory (class of ‘23), trained in classical and contemporary acting. Recent credits include various sketch comedy/improv shows, PhysFest (movement theatre festival), and self-produced play “Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow Moscow” a Three Sisters adaptation by Halley Feiffer.

James Brautigam (Juror #12) is a New York-based actor who is thrilled to be making his City Gate debut in Twelve Angry Men. James was last seen as Thomas in Douglaston Community Theatre's production of Making God Laugh last November. James received his BA in Theatre Performance from Wagner College. Past roles include original musical adaptations of Beauty and the Beast (Chance) and Frankenstein (Ensemble) Off-Broadway, Dance Nation (Luke), The Cat in the Hat (Boy), 42nd Street (Ensemble), Harvey (Dr. Chumley), and As You Like It (Duke Frederick/Duke Senior). A huge thank you to Cathy, Thom, and Rich for this wonderful production, and my family and friends for all of their support.

Michael Chimenti (Judge/Guard) has been an actor, musician, and performer his entire life in every shape and form. He is currently the music director of American Martyrs Church in Bayside. He enjoys working on theatrical projects and watching sitcom reruns with his wife, Cathy.

Cathy Chimenti (Director) began her Directing career back in 2005 when she started an Arts and Education program at a local school in Queens, with her friend and collaborator Jenifer Badamo, where they remained for five years. Their journey continued as they became part of the creative team at Theatre by the Bay in Bayside. Cathy was appointed Artistic Director, until the shutdown in 2020. Directing credits include Salute to the Tony’s (original revue) Little shop of Horrors, The King and I, and Gypsy, Other directing credits include; Meshuggahnuns for Plaza Productions, Happening Woman (original works) for Theatre Beyond Broadway, and The Good Doctor for Parkside Players. She has also had her hand in stage management at Great Neck North Middle school. She is a singer/actor by trade first, with directing coming in a close second as a personal favorite. She would like to thank her beautiful kids and hubby for supporting all her crazy endeavors over the years. This one’s for Dad and Abby.

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