The story should be familiar, even to those who have neither read nor viewed other versions of The Crucible before: unanswered questions lead to speculation, accusations, hysteria, and deaths. Morals are tested. Though a long performance, the combination of acting, surprise, and solid story-telling keeps the audience involved. Actors and dancers use space well, at one point turning the whole theater into a frenzied court room.
A measure of theater is how the audience is drawn in. Rachel Mewbron, who plays Abigail Williams, may want to watch her back. She plays the character so well that the audience may forget Mewbron is not truly a snotty young seductress and bully concerned primarily with herself. Michael Laurence plays the role of John Proctor well: imperfect and struggling to make the most ethical decisions.
This is the first time that Arthur Miller’s The Crucible has been performed at Hartford Stage. Hopefully it will not be the last.
The Crucible is at Hartford Stage through October 6th.
