Theater review

VPA scores with 'The Crucible'

By STEVE KADEL-Frontiersman reporter

WASILLA -- People who enjoy serious, thought-provoking drama will be in their element during Valley Performing Arts' run of "The Crucible."

Arthur Miller's play about the 1692 Salem, Mass., witchcraft trials has endured because the same themes of what VPA director Kerry Ann Byrd calls "the coercive authority of dogma, ideology and myth" have remained alive and well over the last half century, surfacing anew in post-Patriot Act America.

Miller's 1952 play was written during the hearings of the House Un-American Activities Committee, which was devoted to sniffing out communists under every rug. Miller, of course, was one of the targets.

"The Crucible" is his stand against blind allegiance to the status quo and saving one's own skin by whatever means, including sacrificing friends if need be.

John Proctor, the main character played by Dennis Boyd, wrestles with that moral dilemma throughout the three-hour play.

Boyd does a wonderful job in the role, and the audience is not sure until the very end whether he'll choose expedience or integrity.

As written, the play opens in the home of Rev. Samuel Parris, who is bent in prayer over his young daughter Betty (Rachel Kennedy), who has been afflicted by a baffling malady.

However, VPA begins its version with a romp in the woods involving local children and Tituba (Kai West), who conjures spirits of the dead. Or does she?

Whether the dancing and strange nocturnal goings-on in the forest are responsible for deaths of village children is the question that jump-starts the story and keeps it moving.

West is excellent as Tituba, who Parris brought with him from Barbados where he was a merchant before entering the ministry. Her energy and the West Indies lilt in her voice contrast refreshingly with the more somber characters.

Likewise, Janet Girard makes brief but entertaining contributions as expressive Rebecca Nurse. John Fairfield provides the play's few light moments with his portrayal of Giles Corey.

In her director's notes, Byrd wrote that VPA hopes "the questions especially surrounding the use and misuse of authority, logic, emotionalism, revenge and guilt will be brought to life by this cast and the audience will be inspired to think about our present world and our unique place in it."

Judging by audience reaction during Saturday night's performance, they succeeded.

The play continues Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 1 at Machetanz Theatre, 251 W. Swanson Ave., in Wasilla. Call VPA at 373-9500 for more information.