West Aurora High School’s winter play will feature Arthur Miller’s classic drama “The Crucible.”
Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 15-17, in the school auditorium, 1201 W. New York St. in Aurora.
Director Sherry Becker said the two-act production with an intermission showcases a cast of 25 students. West’s production is through Dramatists Play Service. Concessions will be provided by Patrons of the Performing Arts, West’s booster group.
Written by Miller in 1953, the play is a dramatized and partially fictionalized story of the Salem witch trials that took place in the Province of Massachusetts Bay from 1692-1693. Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the United States government persecuted people accused of being communists.
The production tells the tale of middle-aged farmer John Proctor, his wife Elizabeth and their ex-servant, 17-year-old Abigail Williams. Elizabeth fires Abigail from their employ after learning that John has been having an affair with Abigail. Seven months later, in the midst of the rising hysteria over alleged witchcraft in Salem, the heartbroken, traumatized and misguided Abigail uses accusations of witchcraft to enact her revenge.
However, Abigail’s actions create a snowball effect that brings the small village of Salem to its knees, and the people of Salem must reconcile with the consequences. Themes are truth, community, justice and equality.
Director Becker added, “Abigail will be portrayed by Sage Contaldo as a more sympathetic character than normal due to the reality that she is groomed by Proctor (Tyler Pearch).
“Abigail is a traumatized young girl who witnesses her parents’ bloody murders next to her in bed, leaving her an orphan who is taken advantage of by Proctor.
Tickets are $5 in advance at sd129tickets.org and $7 at the door.
—Al Benson