By Alan Jozwiak
A witch hunt.
You might have used this expression without realizing the sinister history behind the term. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the phrase references actual hunting for witches in the 16th and 17th centuries.
A witch hunt targeted people of all genders who were often on the outskirts of society. They would be branded as a witch on the flimsiest of evidence. Once on trial, the accused witch then had either one of two options to choose from: They could either repent of their witchcraft and live as a redeemed member of society (even though they were not a witch) or deny the charges, keep their good name, and face hanging or stoning.
The most famous witch hunts occured in Salem, Massachusetts where, according to the source of all knowledge and wisdom Wikipedia, in the span of 15 months, 200 people were accused of being witches, 30 of them were found guilty, and 20 of those found guilty were executed.
The rest would have met that same fate if not for the fact that several prominent clergy members put a stop to the proceedings, calling into question the main source of evidence for these trials–a group of teenage girls.
The girls were caught dancing in the woods, some without their clothes on. Repenting of their sins, they claimed that they were lured there by other townsfolk in league with Satan.
This grisly chapter in American history is the subject of the Arthur Miller play The Crucible, which is part of Xavier University’s mainstage season.
Superb Direction
Instead of showing the scope of the witch trials, Miller focuses his attention on the home of the farmer John Proctor (Loretta Rubin), whose family is torn asunder. His wife Elizabeth (Hannah Wolke) is accused of witchcraft after receiving a doll with a pin stuck in it (called a poppet) from their servant Mary Warren (Anya Sperber).
Guest director Regina Pugh does a masterful job with the direction of this piece. Pugh keeps the focus on the unjustness of the accusations and the mounting tension within the community as they feel increasingly frustrated by a court which seems to be acting without any regard to the greater good of the community.
Pugh also does a bold move by making the cast composed of almost all women, with the exception of Tituba (Lofton Cooper), who plays the Barbados servant of Reverend Paris as a woman in a dress. With a cross gender casts, something can get lost within the translation. No so with this production. The production holds up quite well.
Standout Performances
There are a few standout acting roles, such as with Loretta Rubin as John Proctor and Jayley Sams as Judge Danforth. Both play their roles with total conviction and when they are in scenes of great import for the story, they deliver those scenes with power and impact. While Rubin may have intensified her stridency at places, I appreciate the honest portrayal of Proctor. It is sympathetic and it won me over.
As for Sams, I grew to hate Danforth for that character’s haughtiness, so kudos for Sams for making me detest her character. That is a pretty mean feat and means that she latched onto the essence of that character.
Since the cast for this production is HUGE, I won’t go into each and every single actor. While there are some of the rest of the cast that are stronger than others, suffice it to say that they are all doing their part to contribute to a powerful production. Bravo for everyone in the cast.
Overall
The Crucible is long (Acts I and II are each 1 hour and 15 minutes long and there is a 15 minute intermission), but Pugh keeps the pace going. While the opening scenes were slow, things quickly pick up and this play will hold your interest throughout.
Who should go see this production? Apart from Xavier theatre supporters and those who have not yet seen The Crucible, this college production is for anyone who wants a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria. Whether it is is being branded a witch, a communist (which was the motivation behind Miller writing the play), or any other undesirable social label.
The Crucible is timely and this production is true to the spirit of the purpose of the play, to shed light on social injustice. After seeing the show, I can see how its lessons can apply to today’s society.
Get Tickets to The Crucible
The Crucible runs November 14-November 22 at the Gallagher Student Center Theatre. Click here for tickets. https://xaviertheatre.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200483790
NOTE: Regina Pugh came back into town to direct this play. (She lived here for years and now resides in Tucson, AZ). I spoke to her after the show and she is interested in doing more direction here in Cincinnati. Hopefully we will see her back at Xavier or elsewhere for other productions.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Scenery Designed by Troy Hemmerling and Joe Leonard, Stevenson Miller and Xavier students.
From Joe Leonard: “When Xavier University Theatre decided to do The Crucible I remembered Troy designed The Crucible for his Masters thesis project. Given the design’s contemporary look, I proposed to the production team that we might re-create his design. While his design was fantastic, I was more thrilled to honor Troys memory and our relationship by recreating his work.” Troy Hemmerling passed away in 2011.
