North Central presents new take on 'The Crucible'

Trees take on a sinister presence in North Central College's production of Arthur Miller's “The Crucible,” which opens tonight at the Naperville campus.

There's a tree that grows through the middle of the courthouse. There's another in John Proctor's house.

In a show based on the Salem witch trials, the trees that surround the stage represent the fear that's everywhere in the frightened community.

“Every evil that could be conceived is in that forest,” said Ross McIntire, 21, a senior majoring in theater performance from Galva, who plays John Proctor. “That fear of what you don't understand is creeping in and is inside your house and it's coming for you.”

Miller's classic story is based on actual events in American history.

Set in 1692, North Central's cast and crew of 25 retell the story of John Proctor, a Puritan farmer who commits adultery. When his mistress retaliates by accusing Proctor's wife and others of being witches, the situation spins out of control until innocent people are hanged.

Stage elements link the Puritan way of life to the natural earthly elements — especially the trees that represent the forest that surrounded most Puritan farmsteads during those early days.

What lies beyond the forest or within the forest — monsters, Indians and even witches — nobody knows.

“They're really connected to the soil and the earth and the forest around them, and I think there's a lot of unknown things in the forest,” said Jason Gerace, guest director, who is an artistic associate of Chicago-based American Theatre Company. “They're willing to believe that it's true because someone said it was true.”

Each year, North Central hires guest directors who are theater professionals to lead theater majors.

“It's a better experience than it might seem at face value,” McIntire said. “When it comes to shows, it's something more akin to an internship. It feels like you're working outside the college.”

Gerace offers a studied interpretation of Arthur Miller's work that asks actors, as well as the audience, to take an analytical look at the events surrounding the witch trials, McIntire said.

Throughout the play, cast members will sit on benches near the stage fully visible to the audience.

“There were so many people in the community that had a chance to stop it or say something,” Gerace said. “It'll be somewhat reminiscent of what it would look for a jury to be sitting and watching it happen and judging it.”

It sends the message of accountability, he said.

“We as a society are all part of this and we all have responsibilities for the things that happen. I think that it'll come through,” he said. "

“The Crucible” opens at 7:30 p.m. today and continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville.

“This is going to be a very exciting, scary, sexy production of it,” Gerace said. “Leave that idea about the play you read in 11th grade behind. It's going to seem more like an HBO movie rather than that play you read in high school.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

For details, call (630) 637-7469 or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

If you go

What: North Central College presents “The Crucible”

When: 7:30 p.m. today through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St., Naperville

Cost: $10 adults, $8 students and seniors

Info: (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu/showtix