Catawba College’s Theatre Department will close its 2012-2013 season with Arthur Miller’s chilling classic, “The Crucible.” The production runs April 9-10 at 6:55 p.m., and April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m. in Hedrick Theatre on campus.
The stage is set in late 1600s, Salem, Massachusetts, as something evil winds its way into a small village. Rumors of witchcraft run amok and young girls fall ill to unknown causes. One girl in particular uses these rumors to her advantage by framing a young farmer’s wife for witchcraft, sending the community into an uproar.
Critically acclaimed and award-winning playwright and essayist Arthur Miller tells the story of New England’s infamous Salem Witch Trials using powerful language and potent characters in his moving drama.
“The Crucible’ is certainly one of the playwright’s best. It’s always topical because we must always battle the human tendency to ignore the dictates of reason and yield to fanaticism, a state of mind that invariably leads to great suffering and injustice,”said Catawba College professor and novelist Dr. Kurt Corriher, who directs the play. “At the same time, as Miller shows us, the struggle against fanaticism also often demonstrates man’s opposite nature as well, namely our capacity for courage and nobility of mind in the face of such injustices.”
Corriher also has some personal reasons for wanting to be involved in another of Miller’s plays.
“I’ve long felt that Arthur Miller is the master of American playwrights,” he said. “I directed “All of My Sons” some years ago for the St. Thomas Players, and I played Willy Loman in Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” as a guest artist at Catawba in 2001, so I’ve been looking for the opportunity to participate in another Miller production.”
Local guest artist and Catawba Theatre Arts adjunct faculty member, Craig Kolkebeck, portrays Deputy-Governor Danforth.
“The Crucible” is suitable for young adults. Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 non-Catawba students and senior citizens; purchase at www.catawba.edu/theatretix or at the box office. For details, call 704-637-4481.