The Salem Witch Trials will take center stage in the Nantucket Historical Association’s Quaker Meeting House on the evening of Saturday, October 8, and the afternoon of Sunday, October 9, as the NHA once again teams up with the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, as the two organizations team up to present a staged reading of The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s classic tale of suspicion and betrayal.
Set in 1692 in the tumultuous environment of Salem Village – a community riddled by conspiracy, fear, and Puritan brimstone – Miller’s play explores a crisis of conscience when an accusation of witchcraft unravels the fabric of the small town. Themes of betrayal, salvation, and the risk of eternal suffering permeate the action, as John Proctor struggles with whether he will falsely admit guilt in order to alleviate his Earthly suffering or maintain his honor so as to safeguard his soul in the life hereafter.
“We are absolutely looking forward to working together again with the Nantucket Historical Association on such a historically important production,” said Gabrielle Gould, Executive Director of the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. “It’s so exciting to again find the bond between history and theater, and bring together our respective assets to create a wonderful theatrical experience for the people of Nantucket.”
Marjan Shirzad, Director of Outreach and Special Programs for the NHA, echoed Gould’s words: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket on this historic staged reading of Arthur Miller's The Crucible. The NHA’s Quaker Meeting House will provide an intimate, evocative backdrop to a seminal piece of American literature, and we look forward to seeing it come to life through the talented actors of the Theatre Workshop.”
The Crucible is presented as part of the Nantucket Arts Festival, the ten-day celebration of local arts and artisans sponsored by the Nantucket Arts Council. Arlene O’Reilly, Chair of this year’s Arts Festival, said, “The Crucible is a perfect example of all of the talent that is here on our island. When you see collaborations of professionals on any level develop, it creates an allure. My hope is that this will foster long lasting relationships, memorable experiences and outstanding results.”
Directed by Lynne Bolton, this production is the third collaboration between the NHA and the TWN; the two organizations have paired in the past on productions of Moby Dick Rehearsed starring John Shea in July of this year, and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance in 2010, a show starring Broadway actor André De Shields.
The staged reading of The Crucible will be performed twice in the NHA’s historic Quaker Meeting House at 7 Fair Street. On Saturday, October 8, the show will begin at 7 PM and doors open at 6:30; on Sunday, October 9, the curtain goes up at 3:00 PM, with doors opening at 2:30. Tickets are $25, and may be purchased through the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket at their box office at 2 Centre Street, online at www.theatreworkshop.com, or by calling 508-228-4305.
