Naperville North presents 'The Crucible'

Accusations fly, public sentiment is swayed and someone winds up behind bars, sentenced to death.

Questionable judgments, hypocrisy, deceit and adultery - themes masterfully explored by legendary playwright Arthur Miller in his time-tested classic, "The Crucible" - will come to the stage this weekend at Naperville North High School.

"It's got some heavy drama and it gives a good example of how fear in people can snowball into mass hysteria," said junior Jason TerMaat.

TerMaat plays a judge named Thomas Danforth, a character he describes as "an old, fundamentalist Puritan kind of guy."

The story, based on true events, is set in the 1690s, when Salem, Mass., courts tried several people suspected of practicing witchcraft.

A staple of many a high school syllabus, the themes remain relevant.

TerMaat said he understands the roots of Miller's play can be found not only in 1692 Salem, but in the McCarthy trials of the 1950s, when Americans suspected of harboring Communist sympathies were blacklisted and worse.

"People got punished for things they didn't do," TerMaat said.

Because his character makes many harsh pronouncements, TerMaat said one of the part's biggest challenges is taking the character seriously.

"His lines can be pretty ridiculous," he said.

Lee Sargent, a senior with several high school theater productions to his credit, plays John Proctor, a farmer whose wife is on trial. The part was played by Daniel Day Lewis in the 1996 film, which featured a screenplay by Miller.

Sargent said he revels in the intensity of the part.

"This is a really challenging role. It's definitely been a rewarding experience so far," Sargent said.

Proctor weathers several traumatic events during the course of the play, giving Sargent a dramatic challenge.

There's also a trick to how the lines need to be delivered. Like the other characters, Proctor speaks in a way that reflects the late 17th century period.

"We definitely have to keep prim and proper voices," said Sargent. "It helps to memorize it line by line."

Junior Emily Novak plays Elizabeth Proctor, John's wife.

"In the beginning, you can tell she's really hurt. She's aware her husband has been having an affair. She's holding back and she's not forgiving him," Novak said.

But as events unfold, Elizabeth's attitude changes.

"She starts to see that things could be a lot worse," she said.

Novak said she is awed by the way the script builds suspense as the characters become increasingly suspicious of each other's motives. And she's struck by the fact that the fictional play was inspired by real events.

"It's just crazy to think that something like this actually happened," she said.

If you go

What: Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," staged by Naperville North High School students

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 30 and 31 and Nov. 1

Where: Naperville North High School main auditorium, 899 N. Mill St., Naperville

Tickets: $7 for adults, $6 for students and seniors

Info: (630) 420-6480

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=246108">Director's cut <span class="date">[10/30/08]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>