Play brings Helmers back to the stage

(Sentinel photo by Magdalene Landegent) Marilyn Helmers, far right, found herself back on stage again at 75 years old in the Le Mars Community Theatre production "Twelve Angry Jurors." Here she practices a scene with Kathy Stelzer, John Leonard and Timothy Winterlin for the play, which debuts this weekend. [Click to enlarge]

Marilyn Helmers began acting in Le Mars Community Theatre productions 30 years ago.

"In the early years there was hardly a play I wasn't in," said Helmers, who moved to Le Mars in 1959.

That was before a medical condition sidelined her performances a few years ago.

"I don't have the mobility I used to have," Helmers said. "I find myself walking with a cane, which I hate."

But the 75-year-old Helmers didn't let her disability stand in her way.

She auditioned for and earned a spot in the Le Mars Community Theatre's current production "Twelve Angry Jurors," which starts Friday.

"This play was perfect because we are just jurors sitting around a table and I don't have to walk much," Helmers said. "I'm juror 11 and I don't have hundreds of lines to remember like I used to, which is good because my memory isn't as good as it used to be."

Helmers said "Twelve Angry Jurors" is a great play to be in because it shows the audience how the judicial system really works.

"Twelve Angry Jurors" is a story about a 19-year-old boy who has just stood trial for the fatal stabbing of his father. It looks like an open-and-shut case until one of the jurors cautions the others about making it a "personal thing."

However it does become personal with each juror revealing his or her own character as the various testimonies are re-examined. Tempers get short, arguments heated and the jurors become 12 angry people.

"When we first retire to the jury, the vote is 11 for guilty and one for innocent," Helmers said. "It's unique in that you see as people talk about various aspects of the testimony that is given how it changes."

Helmers said "Twelve Angry Jurors" is a drama and the other actors give amazing performances.

She's glad to return to acting and the theater.

"It's wonderful," Helmers said. "I just lover the theater and I have missed it so much."

Other cast members are: Steve Harrington, Jamie Hueschen, Marilyn Music, Timothy Winterlin, Gary Jungers, John Leonard, Jason Larson, Kathy Stelzer, Bob Kenaley, Wanda Kneip, Helma Person and Lisa Brangwin.

"Twelve Angry Jurors" will run two weekends for a total of seven performances from Friday through Sunday and Thursday, Nov. 12 through Tuesday, Nov. 15.

Evening performances are 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are 2 p.m.