Since the play opened to local audiences on Oct. 19, chatter continues to circulate around this adapted depiction of Miller’s classic piece.
Director Desdemona Chiang based the story off the playwright’s original play published in 1953. She illustrates the story of John Proctor (Ariel Shafir), Abigail Williams (Allison Altman) and the radical townspeople of Salem, Mass. in a way that strays considerably far away from the traditional source material.
When lies and accusations about the fanatical idea of witchcraft are spread around the village, religious extremists search in the form of a “witch-hunt“ to discover suspected perpetrators, causing mass hysteria among the community as a whole.
While the script kept the overall dialogue, plot and themes of Miller’s original vision, some stylistic changes were made to the final product of this particular production.
In Acts I and II, the setting of the play appears to be the late 1600s. However, in Acts III and IV, the stage drastically changes from a colonial village to a modern 21st century prison cell. After intermission, the set design, costume design and props go through sudden transformations. Characters are wearing contemporary clothing, using electronic devices and living in today’s world.
This time shift adjustment came off as quite jarring and rather odd. In an attempt to come off as different in comparison to other dramatic productions of Miller’s work, the execution lacked subtlety and left audience members confused.
Although these flaws set the performance back, the stronger elements shined through in memorable fashion. The ensemble cast and the musical score piqued numerous moments of tragedy and suspense.
The leading and supporting actors all left lasting impressions on the audience, as their characterizations showcased genuine, realistic and emotional reactions that encouraged the audience to feel sympathy for these characters.
