TOWNSHEND — The Leland & Gray Players will present Arthur Miller's gripping drama, The Crucible, on Thursday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 10, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at Dutton Gymnasium.
Often seen as an allegory for the proceedings of Sen. Joseph McCarthy's mid-20th century House Un-American Activities Committee, Miller's play follows the origins and devastating outcomes of the Salem witch trials of the late 1600s.
Miller's impulse to tell the story of that period's prejudice and persecution stemmed from his own experiences as a defendant during the time in which many Hollywood and Broadway actors and writers were the subjects of the communist “witch hunt.”
The two trials are parallel in that many fingers are pointed at seemingly random people, not because they were guilty, but because the accuser had something to gain if that person were to be accused. The Crucible is a story of betrayal and the consequences of deceit.
This production of The Crucible is directed by Ann Landenberger with assistant producer Abby Hadden. The set has been designed by Maezie Cramp and Zoe Soule.
The cast includes Addie Mahdavi, Arik Clark, Natalie Cullen, Gable Rak, Gia Casella, Jesse Cannella, Jesse Newton, Kayla Williams, Kenny Cashman, Alexa Litchfield, Madison Etman, Madison Cannella, Nathaniel Van Osdol, Nicole Winot, Patrick Hauer, Rebekah Winot, Susie Francy, Tino Benson, William Jagiello, Sean Kiziltan, and Adam Culver.
Live music of the period, sung by Leland & Gray's a cappella group under the direction of Ron Kelley, will accompany the performance.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors in advance or at the door. Student groups are welcome and a teacher's packet is available on request. For more information, contact Ann Landenberger at [email protected] or 802-365-7355, ext. 204.