Downtown Calgary’s Vertigo Theatre delivers ‘The Verdict’ in May and June

Vertigo Theatre is touting its latest offering as “a day in court that is not to be missed.” (Courtesy Fifth Wall Media)

Vertigo Theatre is touting its latest offering as “a day in court that is not to be missed.”

The Verdict is set to run at the downtown Calgary venue in May and June.

Written by Barry Reed, adapted for stage by Margaret May Hobbs and directed by Jack Grinhaus, The Verdict is the story of “washed-up, alcoholic” lawyer Frank Galvin, taking on “negligent doctors and the unforgiving and powerful Boston medical establishment” in what for him is more than just a big court case.

Shaun Smyth portrays Galvin and is joined by a cast including Shawna Burnett, Steven Morton, Christopher Clare, Kelsey Verzotti, Dov Mickelson, Joel Cochrane, Steven Conde, Kira Bradley and Duval Lang.

“The ‘David vs. Goliath’ nature of this play is one we can all get behind and recognize,” Grinhaus said in a release issued Tuesday.

“In Frank Galvin, we have a hero who is seeking one last chance, one last shot at redemption in a case that seems insurmountable.”

“Often in our Vertigo shows we are concerned with the whodunnit and why,” Grinhaus said.

“Now we are adding ‘How can we prove it?’ to the mix, through all the tension, morality, theatricality and energy of a courtroom trial.”

Reed’s The Verdict was published in 1980.

It was adapted to the big screen in 1982.

The movie version of the courtroom drama was written by David Mamet, directed by Sidney Lumet and starred Paul Newman as Galvin.

Vertigo Theatre hosts this stage version of the story with previews running May 9-13, an official opening May 14, and then shows through June 7.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, over the phone at 403-221-3708 or online at vertigotheatre.com.