Mirror Review: The Crucible

The Dedham High School Performing Arts Company chose Arthur Miller's The Crucible as this year's fall production. In this play, the audience gets to spend time with some of the central participants of the Salem Witch Trials, including Abigail Williams (played by Maeve Keogh), John Proctor (played by Ben Pfeifer), Judge Danforth (played by Christopher MacDougall), Tituba (Hilen Miralda) and Reverend Hale (played by Clarissa Soda).

The curtains open on Abigail, Tituba, and their friends dancing in the woods. Reverend Parris, Abigail’s aunt, finds them and scares them off. The next morning Abigail claims she is possessed by the spirits of witches. The production follows Abigail and the girls as they accuse several women in Salem of witchcraft, sending the Puritan village into hysteria.

The opening scene was my favorite of the entire show. Ms. Whittemore took creative liberty and decided to incorporate a modern song, “Praise God” by Kanye West, transporting the classic play into 2021. Through interpretive dance, Justin Reilly personified hysteria dancing alongside the girls in the woods.

Each actor was phenomenal, as it was evident that they had spent a great deal of time perfecting their lines and cues. Each word was spoken with intention and emotion. A few of the actors even put on fun accents. Maeve Keogh, who portrayed Abigail Williams, stuck out to me in particular as she acted with her face. Her interpretation of the character reminded me of Winona Ryder’s in the 1996 movie version of The Crucible, as her tone and diction were very similar.

Additionally, the techies did a stunning job with the lights, music, sound effects and props. The lighting added dramatics to the show as it set the tone and mood. The music choice for the beginning and closing acts of the play were magnificent as they were modern songs that fit with the Crucible theme. Each prop was so well-crafted and heavily detailed that the audience would forget they were looking at props.

Overall, the show was superbly produced. Each member of the group should be extremely pleased with the outcome.