On Friday, April 11th, Sahuaro’s advanced drama class put together a performance of The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The story takes place in the early 1600’s, in Salem, Massachusetts. The stars of the show were Abigail Williams, John Proctor, and Elizabeth Proctor. Noah Pittenger starred as John Proctor, a complicated character who was conflicted not only with himself, but with his wife and kids because he was having an affair with Abigail. Abigail Williams was played by Hailey Shyrock. She was a complex character as well, as she was madly in love with John and was devastated when he began to feel guilty about their affair and broke things off. Abigail, a master manipulator, then went crazy, accusing several townspeople of dark magic and having them hung for “witchcraft.” Elizabeth Proctor was played by Kel Munoz. Elizabeth was a Puritan wife and felt betrayed when she learned of the affair. She could not cope with the fact that John was unfaithful to her; however, she still saw the good in her husband.
The live production offered a dramatic and intense portrayal of the Salem Witch Trials, but it may not be the best experience for those unfamiliar with the play. Without prior knowledge of the play, following the plot can feel overwhelming. The pace of the story also makes it harder to enjoy, as the story unfolds very slowly. Because of this, the production is not recommended for audiences who have not previously read The Crucible. The characters’ relationships and dense dialogue are difficult to understand without background knowledge. Viewers who haven’t read the story before may struggle to keep up with the plot, which can affect their overall engagement and understanding.
Mia Payette, one of the students who attended the play, says, “I probably wouldn’t have understood what was happening if I didn’t read it before. I read it in junior year, so I had an understanding of it, and it was cool to see it brought to life. I really enjoyed it, but I had also read the story before, and I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if I didn’t read it.”
Overall, the production was well put together, and the performers did a great job, but it may not be the best introduction to The Crucible for people who have never heard of it before. A familiarity with the story or the historical context would likely make a first-time viewer’s experience more enjoyable.
