Cappies Review: 'The Crucible' at Lake Braddock

Review by William Rangel-Cardozo of Annandale High School

BURKE, VA -- How far could a lie from a couple of backed up, troubled teenagers go? Far enough to result in everyone in their quaint colony in Massachusetts being ordered to the cramped jail, constantly under threat of hanging. But it was just a lie, right?

"The Crucible," a tragedy by the American playwright Arthur Miller, was written in 1953 and first performed at the Martin Beck Theatre that same year. It's 1690's rural Massachusetts. A couple of young school girls were recently caught dancing naked in the woods by an aged Reverend Parris. One of the school girls, Abigail Williams, finds an opportunity to safely get the girls around any trouble and begins a series of false accusations. One by one, townsfolk are taken into custody under suspicion of possible witchcraft, until one such towns person is identified as Elizabeth Proctor, the honest and goody wife of John Proctor who will stop at nothing to safely get his wife back.

Dylan Gottlieb proficiently plays the arc of John Proctor's degradation. In the first act, he is a well-fit yet homey fatherly figure, as seen through his stern glance and commanding tone. By the end of the play, he is a dreadful mess having lost all but his name, as showcased through his weary and uncertain tactics. Another eye catcher is J. Carlin Decker III as Deputy Governor Thomas Danforth. Decker swiftly commanded the stage through his prioritizing glances and noticeable beat changes, yet also it can be credited that the interpretation for the character was surely captivating.

Also in need of mentioning is Kim Salac as Abigail Williams. Salac gripped the audience with her intense and vociferous interpretation of Abigail Williams. This can plainly be seen in the scene where Abigail Williams and the other girls are testifying against the proof presented by John Proctor, and during the court session when they begin to frantically act possessed by the powerful witchcraft of Mary Warren, one of John Proctor's witnesses. The entire cast has talent reserves to spare and can be showcased through any scene witnessed, though room for improvement in regards to stage business should be noted.

Natalie Hill's lighting design added authenticity to the show by supplying an eerie lighting to represent the day's shift to night, which gripped the audience's attention at certain points throughout the play. The makeup to represent age was remarkable, having not only age lines but also liver spots and bags under the eyes.

If you're in the market for an engrossing story, skilled acting, and animated tech, hop into "The Crucible" at Lake Braddock's Theatre for a bewitching time.

Image via Pixabay