Source: Observer & Eccentric Media

Author: Aileen Wingblad

Suspense, twists and turns, and surprise developments are the stuff courtroom dramas are made of, especially those built around allegations of adultery and murder.

But Night of January 16th adds another element of the unknown – so much so that even the cast and director don’t know its ending until right before it happens.

That’s because in this case, the jury is made up of audience members selected at the start of the play, who ultimately decide the guilt or innocence of the woman on trial for killing her lover. The decision, of course, determines which of two alternate endings the cast will perform.

Night of January 16th , Ayn Rand’s acclaimed play, comes to the Mercy High School stage Nov. 6, 7 and 8.

Set in 1930s New York City, its three acts depict the trial of Karen Andre, accused of killing her boss and romantic interest, businessman Bjorn Faulkner. Night is loosely based on the death of Ivan Kreuger, known as the “Match King,” a financier killed by gunshot in 1932.

“It’s a great opportunity for anybody who’d like to be on stage but never had the nerve to be an actor,” Sills said, of being on the jury.

Broadway performances of Night were known for having several celebrity jurists, including Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, U.S. congressmen and, during a production strictly for the blind, Helen Keller, Sills noted.

Of course, those who choose to remain in the audience will enjoy “an extremely entertaining evening,” she said. “What’s so interesting is you will hear the testimony and see people in the audience get involved – and some in the audience will be on the edge of their seat.”

‘A great night’

Mercy senior Philomena Engel, cast as Karen Andre, said the role is “both challenging and fun.”

“Karen is so different from myself,” Philomena said. “She’s cold and aloof sometimes, aggressive and attacking other times.”

The production, she added, is sure to “draw people in...it’s going to be fun.”

Fellow senior Maureen McGough – who portrays the prosecutor, District Attorney Flint – said not knowing how the play will turn out has her and her fellow cast members “definitely staying on our toes.”

“We really have to stay focused on what’s going on on stage. We have completely different reactions (at the end), how it personally effects us,” she said.

Maureen agrees that it’s also “a really fun play, and that the character she portrays is far removed from her own personality.

“I’m not the yelling type,” she said, grinning, “but it is fun to do something the polar opposite of what I am.”

Sills said the upcoming productions are generating a lot of interest, particularly due to the nature of the play. “It’s so different, not your regular comedy or drama,” she said. “Rand’s intent was to have the whole thing hinge on the jury, she’s leaving it up to them and how they vote, on what happens to a life.”

As the trial wraps up, jurors are “sequestered” back stage for a few minutes to deliberate privately, while the spotlight shines on each of the main characters who briefly recount what they said on the stand, Sills explained.

“This is just a great night of entertainment, a chance to return to the 1930s,” Sills said. “And you can get involved, sign up for the jury, and maybe decide the fate of a person. It will really be fun.”

Night of January 16th will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 8. Tickets are $10. Mercy High School is at 29300 Eleven Mile Road in Farmington Hills.

awingblad@hometownlife.com | 248-390-3976 Twitter:@awingblad

 

Cast

Julia Twigg (prison matron)

Emma Pickett (bailiff)

Maggie Ewald (Judge Heath)

Maureen McGough (DA Flint)

Cara Forfinski (Defense Attorney Stevens)

Allison McMillan (court clerk)

Philomena Engel (Karen Andre)

Katie Koenigsknecht (Dr. Kirkland)

Annie Acho Tartoni (Mrs. John Hutchins)

Michael Nalepa (Homer Van Fleet)

Arianna Allman (Eleanore Sweeney)

Lucy Devine (Nancy Lee Faulkner)

Amelia Carlson (Magda Svenson)

Ryan Schroeder (John Graham Whitfield)

Edie Jones (Jane Chandler)

David Culliton (SIgrud Jungquist)

Johnathon Stecevic (Larry Regan)

Ryann Rapson (Roberta Van Rensselaer)

Lauren Boufford (Stenographer)