THEATER
review: 'The Crucible' defies the times,
puts truth on trial
Shashin
Desai
Young
girls are led to believe that evil spirits
invade their souls and lead them to act
strange and impulsively in "The Crucible."
By
Mandy Wright
On-line Forty-Niner
Arthur
Miller's classic tale of truth on trial
proves relevant in any time period. Presented
by the International City Theatre, "The
Crucible," now playing at the Long
Beach Performing Arts Center, dramatizes
the story of the 17th century witch-hunt
that was fueled by fear and mass hysteria,
provoked by one young woman. Beneath the
obvious plot lies a wealth of social commentary.
"I
believe that with a play like 'The Crucible,'
a major production should be done every
10 years," director Shashin Desai
said. "Because it addresses the issues
of a suppressed society, and what happens
in a suppressed society, what fear can
do to people. It can rule people."
Desai's
production conveys this sense of fear
and suppression in all aspects of the
play, starting with the set. The play
uses minimal props, with a few solitary
benches creating a makeshift a meeting
room or a simple bed and a table indicating
a bedroom. Most of the atmosphere for
the play comes from an outcropping of
gnarled, leafless branches suspended from
the ceiling. Blue and yellow lights filter
through, casting an eerie ambiance.
The
branches have several meanings Desai said.
They can be seen as representing the crown
of thorns worn by Jesus, but they more
literally reflect the darkness and desperation
experienced by the characters.
The
minimalist set allows for quick scene
changes which, in addition to the impressively
professional acting, keep the audience
wrapped up in the play.
John
Proctor (Neil Larson) is enthralling with
rich, booming vocal quality reminiscent
of Sean Connery. Proctor; along with the
amusing Giles Corey (Howard Ferguson-Woitzman)
lend some levity and comic relief to the
emotionally intense first scene.
Abigail
Williams (Sarah Sido) also has the ability
to enrapture the audience. Despite her
haughty demeanor, Williams' voice breaks
and often rises to hysterical levels as
she conveys an intense longing for Proctor,
her former lover, who has now vowed to
be faithful to his wife.
The
maid Tituba, played by Kenyetta Lethridge,
also had a small but impressive part.
As the first to be accused of consorting
with the devil, she soon figures out that
she must name names, or suffer the punishment
herself. She falls to her knees, pulsating
up and down and swinging her arms, while
speaking in a thick Barbados accent. This
display fuels the hysteria that soon consumes
the rest of the town.
Desai
hopes that the audience will recognize
the importance of a play like "The
Crucible" and take its message to
heart.
"It's
so relevant," he said. "From
our presidents, to governors, to municipalities
everywhere, truth is on trial."
EVENTS
LISTING
What:
"The Crucible"
When: Now until Dec. 7
Where: Long Beach Performing Arts Center
300 East. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA
Ticket Information:
(562) 436-4610
