The Crucible by Arthur Miller
On Sunday, January 26, from 6 pm - 9 pm, the Scripts Uncensored banned scripts reading group will meet for a group reading of Arthur Miller's controversial classic The Crucible. A discussion of the play, and why some wish for it to be removed from access follows the reading.
THE STORY:
Things take a deadly turn when Reverend Paris finds a number of young women inappropriately dancing in the forest. To save themselves from punishment, they claim to have been bewitched by various townspeople. Once these girls, who have never had any voice or control, get a taste of the power that their claims wield, is there anything they won't do to get the attention they desire?
Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is as relevant today as it was when it was first released in 1953, not long after the playwright had himself had been accused of un-American activities and communism by the McCarthy Commission. One of the original theater reviewers offered up this tidbit when asked his thoughts: “Arthur Miller’s The Crucible...is one of the great plays of American theater. A powerful and searing indictment of bigotry and ignorance, its depiction of the Salem Witch Trials of exactly 260 years ago is inescapably applicable to events today. Robert Hilliard, BROOKLYN DAILY drama critic, January 23, 1953. (Reaffirmed August 12, 2019.)
Characters:
Reverend Samuel Parris: The Reverend is the controversial and insecure minister of Salem.
Betty Parris: Betty is the 10-year-old daughter of Rev. Parris. She is one of the first girls to be "afflicted."
Tituba: Tituba is a slave brought from Barbados by Parris. She is first accused of witchcraft, and calls out the names of others in an attempt to save herself.
Abigail Williams: Abigail is the 17-year-old niece of Parris. An orphan, she lives with her uncle. She leads the girls in their accusations.
Susanna Walcott: Susanna is Abigail's friend, although slightly younger. She is one of the "afflicted" girls.
Mrs. Ann Putnam: Ann Putnam is the wife of Thomas Putnam.
Thomas Putnam: Thomas Putnam is the wealthy husband of Ann Putnam.
Mercy Lewis: Mercy is the Putnams' servant. She is friends with Abigail and is "afflicted."
Mary Warren: Mary is the Proctors' meek and insecure servant. She is friends with Abigail and "afflicted."
John Proctor: John is a farmer and the protagonist in the play. He is a tragic hero and the first to expose the girls as frauds.
Rebecca Nurse: Rebecca is an elderly, sweet, respected figure of 72 years. She seems to be the voice of reason and calm in the community.
Giles Corey: Giles is a cantankerous, elderly gentleman of 83 years who often sues his neighbors. He is a man of principles.
Reverend John Hale: John Hale is an expert on witches called in from neighboring Beverly by Parris.
Elizabeth Proctor: Elizabeth is the dutiful, faithful, though often chilly, wife of John Proctor.
Francis Nurse: Francis is the husband of Rebecca. A sweet, elderly man.
Ezekiel Cheever: Ezekiel is the clerk of the court who serves arrest warrants.
Marshal Herrick: Marshal is the constable of the jail who is often drunk.
Judge Hathorne: Judge Hathorne presides over the trials.
Deputy Governor Danforth: Danforth is the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts. He presides over the hearings and is more interested in order than justice.
Sarah Good: Sarah is a homeless woman, one of the first accused. She confesses in a hope to save herself.
Hopkins: Hopkins is the jail guard.
This is a free event, but please register in advance!
