Darien High School Theatre 308 To Stage Arthur Miller’s 'The Crucible'

Information via Darien High School

DARIEN, CT — This November, Theatre 308 students will present Arthur Miller’s drama "The Crucible" at the Darien High School Auditorium.

The show will run on Thursday, Nov. 14, Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16. All performances will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Theatre308.org. The coat is $10 for students/seniors and $20 for adults.

Students will stage a newer, fresher version of the eerie classic set in the late 17th century, inspired by the Salem Witch Trials.

The two-act play first focuses on young girls but then on an entire community facing accusations of witchery.

The 1953 play breaks down the lives of seemingly ordinary people living in the Puritan town of Salem, Mass., as the fear and accusations of witchcraft start to tear their world apart.

"At the heart of the story is 17-year-old Abigail Williams, a beautiful, yet wild girl, and her affair with the well-respected, much older John Proctor," a news release on the show said. "Throughout the play, Proctor struggles with his own definitions of 'good' vs. 'evil.' He is stricken with guilt as his sinful affair deeply affects his sorrowful, yet strong-willed wife Elizabeth whose life among others will be in great peril."

As the play progresses, the small, once tightly-knit town begins to fray and crumble. The play also highlights how easily a cookie-cutter community can turn on each other, and how healthy relationships can deteriorate with simple rumors and time.

"'The Crucible' promises an unforgettable experience, filled with character complexities, an intricate ensemble, unique movement/dance, and eccentric lighting," according to a news release. "With a tragic ending that roots audiences in these Salem realities, viewers will be haunted by how easily the tables turned for the Massachusetts community."

Under the direction of Nicholas Kuell, Theatre 308 students transfer audiences from the strong Darien community back to the stirring courtrooms of the late 1600s, where even your best friends can’t be trusted.

"For one, I love the nuance in this show; each character has multiple layers of motivation that drive them through the events of the piece, and I love seeing our incredibly talented cast peeling back and exploring those layers. Another reason I love this show is that it asks such an important question: how could members of this small community - people who have known each other for years, who were brought together by shared faith and morality - turn on one another in such a vicious and violent way?" Kuell said.

"The Crucible is an examination of where division, discord, and suspicion stem from - fear, jealousy, love, lust, greed, and pride…. all play their part. I think many of us living in modern-day America can feel unexpected divides that have sprung up in recent years — divides that may have affected connections with friends, family, and neighbors," Kuell added. "For me, this story is still incredibly relevant. It asks challenging questions about the value of community - questions which our cast attempts to answer through the subtlety and care with which they portray each character."

The rehearsal process for "The Crucible" took place over two months with much of the work being conducted by students.