Crucible leaves audience in reflection
11/16/2009
By Laura Podgornik
Staff Writer
University Theatre’s production “The Crucible” opened without fail on Thursday, Nov. 12 with all cast members assembled.
Although the flu virus had put a constraint on practices, no cast members showed any signs of fatigue or ailment during the performance.
UW-Superior Alumnae Lindsay Roubal as Abigail Williams and Betsy Gregg as Elizabeth Proctor produced powerful performances.
Current students Kyle Olson as John Proctor, Molly Wynne McFarlane as Mary Warren and Michael Shaw as Giles Corey also helped bring out the heart of the production.
Unlike many other University Theatre productions, “The Crucible” cast also included two international students. Stephan Ianchuk of Ukraine and Tong Tong Wu of China both presented themselves with poise and ease.
“The Crucible” tackles the topics of judgment and conviction. The play is based on the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s and the acts of the House on Un-American Activities between 1938 and 1975.
As the first act opens, flashes of color splash the landscape as a group of women chants near a cauldron. One by one the women drop an item into the boiling pot and curse a name of an individual. One member of the group noticeably takes the scheme a step further as she grasps an animal from the pot and begins to drink its blood. The women hear a noise and quickly scatter, leaving two of the group behind to be found.
As the play progresses, the true events of that night are nearly unraveled by Reverend Parris (Steve Wyeth) and his well-established connections. When the women are questioned, they become defensive and realize that they must displace the blame. They admit to having seen the devil but then swiftly implicate others of dancing with him. Trials commence and the audience soon learns that the damned are holier than their condemners.
Cast members displayed great skill as they engaged the audience and remained in character throughout. As characters dispersed through the audience several times during the performance, they kept their momentum while adjusting to the setting.
“The Crucible” puts into perspective human behavior and leaves the audience in reflection.
Performances of “The Crucible” continue in the Manion Theatre on November 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM. The November 22 performance is a 1:00 p.m. matinee.
Although the flu virus had put a constraint on practices, no cast members showed any signs of fatigue or ailment during the performance.
UW-Superior Alumnae Lindsay Roubal as Abigail Williams and Betsy Gregg as Elizabeth Proctor produced powerful performances.
Current students Kyle Olson as John Proctor, Molly Wynne McFarlane as Mary Warren and Michael Shaw as Giles Corey also helped bring out the heart of the production.
Unlike many other University Theatre productions, “The Crucible” cast also included two international students. Stephan Ianchuk of Ukraine and Tong Tong Wu of China both presented themselves with poise and ease.
“The Crucible” tackles the topics of judgment and conviction. The play is based on the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s and the acts of the House on Un-American Activities between 1938 and 1975.
As the first act opens, flashes of color splash the landscape as a group of women chants near a cauldron. One by one the women drop an item into the boiling pot and curse a name of an individual. One member of the group noticeably takes the scheme a step further as she grasps an animal from the pot and begins to drink its blood. The women hear a noise and quickly scatter, leaving two of the group behind to be found.
As the play progresses, the true events of that night are nearly unraveled by Reverend Parris (Steve Wyeth) and his well-established connections. When the women are questioned, they become defensive and realize that they must displace the blame. They admit to having seen the devil but then swiftly implicate others of dancing with him. Trials commence and the audience soon learns that the damned are holier than their condemners.
Cast members displayed great skill as they engaged the audience and remained in character throughout. As characters dispersed through the audience several times during the performance, they kept their momentum while adjusting to the setting.
“The Crucible” puts into perspective human behavior and leaves the audience in reflection.
Performances of “The Crucible” continue in the Manion Theatre on November 20 and 21 at 7:30 PM. The November 22 performance is a 1:00 p.m. matinee.
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