According to playwright Arthur Miller, the mass hysteria during the Salem witch hunt in the 17th century mirrored a similar reaction during the McCarthyism era in the 1950s. As a result, Miller, who himself was called in front of a Congressional committee in the ’50s, responded by writing The Crucible. It has become one of the cornerstone plays of the 20th century.
A searingly intense production of The Crucible played through May 3 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Mainstage Theater. Under the capable direction of Jim Tasse, a large cast brought to life the town of Salem, Mass., in 1692.
A womanizing farmer, John Proctor (impressively played by Roc Bauman), is tormented by Abigail (Zoe Schwartz), an 18-year-old girl who once worked for their family. Little did Proctor realize the consequences of his infidelity. Eventually his own life is at stake, not to mention the future of his wife, their two sons and an unborn child. As Abigail, Schwartz conveyed the sexual awakening of a young girl who sees an opportunity to replace Proctor’s wife. Although Proctor attempts to minimize their sexual activity, he has become Abigail’s obsession.
Proctor comes under scrutiny after some crazy, ritualistic dancing at night by Abigail and a group of her friends. The girls are under the guidance of Tituba, a maid from Barbados given a credible performance by Kimberly Clark Gartrell. After they are seen by the local minister, the whole town is suddenly up in arms. The girls soon realize that grown-ups are suddenly paying attention to them. Ministers and a judge (Robert Knapp) arrive to seek the validity of these witchcraft charges.
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Miller’s play is a dark, troubling one. There is almost no humor in the script to lighten the heavy proceedings. To his credit, Tasse built the play’s intensity to the point where the audience was sitting at the edge of their seats.
Correction: The role of Judge Danforth was played by Robert Knapp and Eddie Massey played the role of Hathorne, the Deputy Governor's assistant.
