Mercyhurst Theatre Program presents Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’

The Mercyhurst Theatre Program ends its 2022-2023 season with a production of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play, “The Crucible,” March 23-26.

Based on historical people and real events, “The Crucible” is a searing portrait of a community engulfed by hysteria. In the rigid theocracy of Salem, rumors that women are practicing witchcraft galvanizes the town’s most basic fears and suspicions. When a young girl accuses Elizabeth Proctor of being a witch, self-righteous church leaders and townspeople insist that Elizabeth be brought to trial.

Guest artist Dr. Doug Powers returns to direct the production, having most recently helmed the theatre program’s fall 2022 production of “Our Town.”

“Arthur Miller wrote ‘The Crucible’ in response to the McCarthy hearings, asserting that a bias for an untested ideology over reason can result in the destruction of innocent people. Our production, of course, honors that theme,” says Powers. “The cast tackles this densely brilliant and brutal play intelligently and with great sensitivity and passion.”

The cast includes Faith MacKinnon (Betty Parris), Michael Harper (Reverend Samuel Parris), Bella Lee (Tituba), Ali Forsythe (Abigail Williams), Kat Kanazin (Susanna Walcott), Maureen Krihwan (Mrs. Ann Putnam), Mason Reynolds (Thomas Putnam), Nicole French (Mercy Lewis), Tori St. John-Gilbert (Mary Warren), Braden Rosciszewski (John Proctor), Tori Altsman (Rebecca Nurse), Ben Vacca (Giles Corey), Dr. Brett D. Johnson (Reverend John Hale), Abby Craig (Elizabeth Proctor), Cole Lowe (Francis Nurse), Ally Williams (Ezekial Cheever), Veronica Guerrini (John Willard), Bridget Gedeon (Martha Corey), Owen Hitt (Judge Hathorne), Jack Carroll (Deputy-Governor Danforth), Ash Carr (Sarah Good), and Gabby Schmidt (Hopkins).

The creative team includes producer Dr. Brett D. Johnson, director Dr. Doug Powers, assistant to the director Bridget Gedeon, lighting designer Madeleine Steineck, production stage manager Julie Johnstone, and assistant stage manager O. Perry.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday, March 23-25, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre on the Mercyhurst campus. 

Single tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for senior citizens and non-Mercyhurst students, and $5 for youth and Mercyhurst students with I.D. Each order is subject to a $1.50 per ticket processing fee, regardless of purchase or payment method.

All performances are general admission, with doors opening thirty minutes prior to curtain.

Patrons can reserve their tickets online at miac.universitytickets.com, by phone at 814-824-3000 (open Tuesday-Thursday, noon-5 p.m.) or at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center box office. Tickets will also be on sale at Taylor Little Theatre beginning 90 minutes before curtain.

For more information, visit the MIAC website.