Three years after closing its curtains, Sacred Heart Major Seminary reopened the auditorium for a brand-new production. For two nights, March 22 and 23, 2019, the seminary’s stage was transformed into a 1950s New York Court of Law. The audiences got to enjoy the humor, drama, and lessons brought to life by the twelve jurors in Reginald Rose’s Twelve Angry Men.
Ezra Lippert, Theology II seminarian from the diocese of Winona-Rochester, directed his fourteen-man cast and multiple crew members through a fantastic production. The single-set play captivated the audience and quickly drew them into the intensity of the jurors and the high-stakes in the decision to discern if there was a reasonable doubt that young man on trial killed his father. The actors embraced their roles with passion, and the crew designed the set, lit the stage, and dressed the cast to create an evening that was well-deserving of the standing ovation it received.
At the end of the show, Monsignor Todd J. Lajiness took to the stage to credit the seminarians on their performance. He highlighted the hard-work, dedication, and free-time that they sacrificed to give the show the level of professionalism it exuded. Msgr. Lajiness thanked the audiences for their attendance as well as their prayers. Prayers are the most important gift that anyone can receive, and prayer goes a long way in the formation of healthy and holy priests throughout the Church.
