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Edison
Stagelight Players Raven Boerger, Chris Garner, Zaidee Himes,
Sean McSwain, and Sandy
Hartley rehearse lines for their upcoming
performance of Arthur Miller's The Crucible.
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The Edison
Stagelight Players Present The Crucible
The Edison Stagelight Players (ESP) will present The Crucible by Arthur
Miller and directed by Matthew Beisner. The performances will be held
October 27 through November 5 in the Robinson Theater at Edison State
Community College’s Piqua Campus.
Set in seventeenth-century Salem, Massachusetts, The Crucible is a
story based upon true events of the Salem witch trials. The Village of
Salem falls to shambles when rumors spread that a group of women are
practicing witchcraft. Jealousy and deceit contribute to petrifying
outcome that reflects both the past and the future.
Known as a riveting historical play and a timely allegory of
contemporary society, Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is the winner of the
1953 Tony Award for Best Play.
Director Matthew Beisner is enthusiastic about producing this classic
play. “I have wanted to direct this show for years. It’s a masterpiece
of modern American theater.”
“Most people know that the play was written as an allegory to
McCarthyism,” said Beisner. “Its true subject is the political hysteria
and figurative witch hunting in the 1950s, when anti-Communist radicals
like Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Committee on Un-American
Activities controlled the land.”
“The Crucible has been politically relevant since it was written, but
social media and the digital age have made this play more timely than
ever. So I thought it was the right time to finally bring it to the
stage.”
ESP newcomers Steven Farris as John Proctor, Raven Boerger as Abigail
Williams, and Ryan Hurley as Reverend Hale will play the lead roles.
While veterans round out the other leading roles, including Emily
Beisner as Elizabeth Proctor, Matt Cline as Deputy Governor Danforth,
Chris Garner as Reverend Parris, and Jocelyn Garner as Mary Warren.
“We are very fortunate to have their talents in these important roles,”
added Beisner.
Also new to the ESP are Allison Nicodemus, Craig Gilbert, Melinda
Spivey, and Sean McSwain in supporting roles. The rest of the cast is
rounded out with veteran ESP performers Jessica Peoppelman, Zaidee
Himes, Clarissa Kiehl, Sandy Hartley, Kevin Grogean, Josh Didier,
Patrick Stone, and Paul Simmons.
“This is one of the best casts I’ve ever worked with,” said Beisner.
“They are all very committed to the show and trust my judgment as the
director. Their hard work will be quite apparent in the final
performances. I can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Performances will be held Friday, October 27; Saturday, October 28;
Friday, November 3; Saturday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m. each night. A
special matinee performance will be held on Sunday, November 5 at 3:00
p.m.
Tickets for the show are seven dollars for adults, five dollars for
students, and three dollars for seniors and are available for purchase
with cash at the door. Children under five are not permitted into the
theater during the performance. For more information, call 937.778.8600.
Cast:
Zaidee Himes of Huber Heights as Betty Parris
Chris Garner of Piqua as Reverend Samuel Parris
Jessica Poeppelman of Ft. Loramie as Tituba
Raven Boerger of Russia as Abigail Williams
Clarissa Kiehl of Houston as Susanna Walcott
Sandy Hartley of Arcanum as Mrs. Ann Putnam
Sean Mcswain of Sidney as Thomas Putnam
Allison Nicodemus of Bradford as Mercy Lewis
Jocelynn Garner of Piqua as Mary Warren
Steven Farris of Sidney as John Proctor
Melinda Spivey of Tipp City as Rebecca Nurse
Kevin Grogean of Fletcher as Giles Corey
Ryan Hurley of Sidney as Reverend John Hale
Emily Beisner of Huber Heights as Elizabeth Proctor
Craig Gilbert of Piqua as Francis Nurse
Josh Didier of Versailles as Ezekiel Cheever
Patrick Stone of Piqua as John Willard
Paul Simmons of Piqua as Judge Hathorne
Matthew Cline of Arcanum as Deputy-Governer Danforth
Crew:
Director Matt Beisner of Troy
Assistant Director Chris Garner of Piqua
Stage Manager / Light Op Jessica Ritz of Piqua
Costume Designer William Loudermilk of Dayton
Assistant Costume Designer Kristina Beard of Dayton
Assistant Costume Designer Marissa Mccormick
Sound Technician Becky Ritz of Piqua
Lighting Designer Ben Bullock of Yellow Springs
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