Casting Announced For THE CRUCIBLE at Gettysburg Community Theatre

Gettysburg Community Theatre, located at 49 York Street within the first block of Lincoln Square in historic downtown Gettysburg, will present Arthur Miller's The Crucible October 13-29, 2017. The Crucible is a gripping drama about the Salem witch trials. Religion, conspiracy, witchcraft, and lust fill the story as paranoia becomes strong enough to poison a whole town. Miller composed The Crucible as a dramatization of the Salem Witch Trials, with the witch trials standing in for the anti-Communist "witch-hunts" of the 1950s during the McCarthy era. As with the alleged witches of Salem, suspected Communists were encouraged to confess and identify other Communist sympathizers as means of escaping punishment. Many of those accused of Communism suffered loss of employment and/or destruction of their careers; some even suffered imprisonment. The corruption and deception Miller represented in The Crucible stands as a timely reminder to not always take everything at face value. Smear campaigning, or any type of intentional, premeditated effort to undermine an individual's or group's reputation, credibility, and character, has nearly become synonymous with modern-day politics. Like the accusations of witchcraft, smear campaigns focus on unverifiable rumors that are often distortions, half-truths, or even outright lies disseminated by gossip. Just as it was when written in the 1950's, The Crucible is still a timely parable of our contemporary and political society.

"This cast includes some of the best actors that have ever been on our stage", says Chad-Alan Carr, Founding Executive/Artistic Director of GCT.

Chad-Alan Carr of Gettysburg directs/designs the show, while Linda Fink of Gettysburg is the Stage Manager and Michael Connelly of Hanover is the Lighting Designer/Technical Director. The cast of volunteer adults and youth includes: Samuel Eisenhuth of New Cumberland portrays John Proctor, Kate Sainer of Hanover portrays Elizabeth Proctor, Emily Smallwood of Gettysburg portrays Abigail Williams, Thomas J. Trgovac of Chambersburg portrays Deputy Governor Danforth, David Hurlbert of Fayetteville portrays Thomas Putnam, Buff Wills of Gettysburg portrays Ann Putnam, Pamela Hurlbert of Fayetteville portrays Rebecca Nurse, Vivian Gomez of York Springs portrays Tituba, Keira Lee of Littlestown portrays Mercy Lewis, and Madelyn Greco of Emmitsburg, MD portrays Suzanna Walcott. Also from Gettysburg, Savannah Schneider portrays Betty Paris, Benjamin Sites portrays Mary Warren, Shane Miller portrays Reverend Hale, James O'Dell Jr. portrays Ezekiel Cheever, Mike Krikorian portrays Reverend Parris, Don Gateley portrays Giles Corey, while Ellie Kohler and Julianna Hazlett complete the ensemble cast as village girls.

"I had performed in the show back in high school and always liked it", says Carr, "but seeing the recent broadway revival of it inspired me to produce and direct it here in Gettysburg this year. Even though I have set this production in a sort of "Apocalyptic" concept setting on a bare stage, it is certainly a timely piece in today's world."

The Crucible performs October 13, 14, 20, 21, and 28 at 7pm and October 15, 22, and 29 at 2pm. Tickets are on sale now for $18 +tax/fees. As GCT only has 80 seats total in the theatre, it is highly encouraged that tickets be purchased in advance. Tickets are available online or via phone. The box office will be open one hour before each GCT show time IF tickets are still available. GCT box office phone number is 717-334-2692. Audition, ticket, educational, donation, volunteer opportunities and more can be found online at www.GettysburgCommunityTheatre.org

GCT Mission Statement: To inspire creativity and confidence, provide cultural enrichment, and instill a love of the theatre arts in people of all ages and abilities through quality education and performance.