BCT's 'The Crucible' Opens Thursday Night

Though The Crucible was written in the 1950s and features the Salem, Massachusetts witch trials that took place in 1692, its themes will resonate with contemporary audiences, say members of the Bedford Community Theatre.

“It’s about intolerance and accusations and personal morality—and in the current political climate where selective editing of video or out-of-context blog posts lead people to believe things that are not true, these are themes worth talking about,” said June O’Neill, who directs the play.

She cited several examples of recent incidents, including the firing of USDA official Shirley Sherrod after a blogger circulated a video showing only part of a speech she gave at an NAACP event.

“Her personal life was in tatters because of it. Today there seems to be no recourse—you are guilty until proven innocent,” said O’Neill, adding that the same hysteria prevailed during the witch trials and when Senator Joe McCarthy called upon Amerians to name their friends as having pro-Communist beliefs.

Miller used his own experience of being questioned during the 1950s era of McCarthyism as a backdrop for this tragedy of witchcraft trials to create a great American drama, said O’Neill. Hundreds of people were being cried out and accused of witchcraft with no evidence and then condemned and executed.

The story focuses upon a young farmer, John Proctor, his wife, Elizabeth, and a young servant-girl named Abigail who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie—and instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others.

“And in the 1950s many faced that kind of personal vilification and professional devastation as well,” said O’Neill.

The play also offers an opportunity to talk with young people about important themes, said Suzanne Hall-Fritsch, who plays Ann Putnam in the show, in addition to costuming actors.

“Bullying can be discussed in the context of this play—the high school girls had so much power over adults. Art can be the catalyst for change—even if it’s just planting the seed of a conversation between a parent and a child,” she said.

The theatre has reached out to local schools to invite them to attend, citing the opportunity to introduce topics they may not discuss in school, and be able to apply them to their own lives, said Carolyn Nielsen, who produced the play.

“There is a difference between seeing the play and reading it—seeing it brings it to life and when you witness the decisions made on the stage, it can be incredibly profound,” said Nielsen.

The production is spare, said O’Neill, and has “an extremely austere set with just a black curtain so that the focus is on the performance.”

She said she’s thrilled about putting this show on, and offering roles to girls with whom she’s worked for over a decade. “We have a history of providing empowering experiences for young girls—and for some, this is their last show before going off to college.”

Hall-Fritsch’s daughter, Ellie, 12, will be pulling the curtain in addition to appearing on stage with her mom.

Jennifer DeLancey will be playing the role of Elizabeth Proctor, Emily Feierman will play Abigail Williams, Jody Green plays John Proctor, and the role of Mary Warren will be played by Olivia Walsh.

will be on May 12 and May 19 at 7:00pm; May 13, 14, 20, 21 at 8:00pm; at the Bedford Hills Community House, 74 Main St., Bedford Hills. Tickets are $15 for adults; $12 for students.

More information about the production (as well as directions to the theater) can be found at www.bedfordcomunitytheatre.org. Bedford Community Theatre operates in cooperation with the Town of Bedford Recreation and Parks Department. For tickets, call 914-244-0474 or email bctonline@optonline.net.

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