CT Rep Begins THE CRUCIBLE Tonight

Connecticut Repertory Theatre (CRT) begins the second half of the 2017-18 season with the Tony Award-winning classic, "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. Paul Mullins will direct. Performances will be held in the Nafe Katter Theatre from February 22nd through March 4th, 2018. For tickets and information, please visit crt.uconn.edu or call (860) 486-2113.

When the daughter of the local reverend falls into a mysterious coma, the town of Salem, Massachusetts finds itself plunged into a state of suspicion and fear. The young women accuse citizens in the town of witchcraft. The lies spread like wildfire until it is too late to admit the truth. Written in 1952 in the wake of Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee, Arthur Miller's classic tale of persecution and fear remains poignant and relevant today. Whose voices are heard in society now and whose are silenced? How does fear used as a political tool? When do lies have more power than the truth?

Artistic Director Michael Bradford says, "In "The Crucible", Arthur Miller has given us a timeless American classic that questions the core of our humanity. How is it possible for a lie to not only survive but gather such deadly momentum? How malleable are the concepts at the foundation of our society; justice, fairness and truth? And finally, how do we survive our own righteousness? CRT is excited to explore these questions."

Paul Mullins returns to CRT, where he has previously directed the world premiere of "I'm Connecticut", "The 25thAnnual Putnam County Spelling Bee", "Much Ado About Nothing", "Urinetown" and others. Mullins says, "Anytime is the right time for 'The Crucible' and I am thrilled to be collaborating with a terrific company to bring Arthur Miller's great play to the stage. It is a vibrant story about citizens in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 and their search for truth and right and good in the face of fantastic occurrences. It is the story of standing up for what one believes is right even when it may mean paying for it with everything that one holds dear. It is a great ride."

The production will be led by Broadway and Regional theatre veterans James Sutorius (Danforth) and Michael Rudko (Giles Corey), appearing alongside the MFA and BFA Acting students of UConn's Department of Dramatic Arts.

James Sutorius (Danforth), the veteran actor of stage and screen is making his debut at Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Previous Connecticut credits include "Biography" at Long Wharf Theatre. Broadway: "The Farnsworth Invention", "Conversations with My Father", "The Changing Room", "Hamlet". Off-Broadway: "Sexual Perversity in Chicago". Other Theater includes: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" (Best Actor Award), "Lincolnesque" (Best Featured Actor Award), "The Price", "The Savannah Disputation" (The Old Globe), "Glengarry Glen Ross" (Nominated Best Featured Actor Award, La Jolla Playhouse).

Michael Rudko (Giles Corey) is making his CRT debut as well. Rudko is a Broadway and regional theatre veteran, with roles on Broadway in "The Audience", "Romeo and Juliet", "Mary Stuart", "Gore Vidal's The Best Man", "Timon of Athens" and "Serious Money". In Connecticut, Rudko has appeared at Yale Repertory Theatre in "Arcadia", "A Woman of No Importance" and "Tartuffe". Other regional appearances include the McCarter Theatre Center, American Repertory Theatre, Wilma Theatre, Arena Stage, The Folger Theatre, Centerstage and The Public (NY).

Paul Mullins (Director) CRT: "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee", "Much Ado About Nothing", "Hairspray", "I'm Connecticut", "Urinetown", "The Comedy of Errors"; The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Associate Artist): "Richard III", "Equivocation", "Henry VIII", "The Liar", "Richard II", "King John", "Noises Off", "The Lion in Winter", "The Time of Your Life", "The Threepenny Opera" and many others; The Old Globe: "Good People", "Twelfth Night", "Macbeth", "Merry Wives" and "Measure For Measure"; Shakespeare Santa Cruz: "Hamlet", "Henry V". He has also directed productions for Portland Stage Company, Chautauqua Theater Company, The Studio Theatre, Dorset Theatre Festival, American Stage,The State Theatre, NYU - Grad Acting, The Juilliard School, and The Yale School of Drama.

The creative team includes: Paul Mullins (Director), Pedro Guevara (Scenic Design), Danielle Verkennes (Lighting Design), Brittny Mahan (Costume Design), Mitchell Prescott (Sound Design), Nathan Francis (Dramaturg), and Tom Kosis (Production Stage Manager).

The cast includes MFA actors, Mauricio Miranda (John Proctor), Erin Cessna (Elizabeth Proctor), Tristan Rewald (Reverend Hale), Rob Barnes (Reverend Parris), Sierra Kane (Ann Putnam), and Angela Hunt (Tituba). BFA actors include Nick Nudler (Judge Hawthorne), Zack Dictakis (Thomas Putnam), Elizabeth Jebran (Rebecca Nurse), Justin Jager (Francis Nurse), Rebekah Berger (Abigail Williams), Carly Polistina (Mary Warren), Gillian Pardi (Betty Parris), Tabatha Gayle (Susanna Walcott), Pearl Matteson (Mercy Lewis), Aidan Marchetti (Cheever), Ryan Rudewicz (Herrick), and Hunter Monroe (Hopkins).

Evening performances start at 7:30pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Select matinee performances start at 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Single tickets are available now. Single tickets range from $10 to $33. All student tickets are $10.

Post-show discussions with members of the cast and crew will follow the performance on Thursday, March 1st at 7:30pm and the matinee, Saturday, February 24thth at 2pm.

Children must be at least 4 years old to attend CRT productions. CRT recommends ages 15 and up (R) for this production. For additional ticket information or to charge tickets by phone, call 860.486.2113. All sales are final; no refunds. Play selections and performance dates are subject to change.

Please call the box office at 860.486.2113 for tickets and additional information or visit www.crt.uconn.edu for specific show dates and times because performance schedules vary and are subject to change.

The Nafe Katter Theatre is located on the campus of the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.

Photo Credit: Gerry Goodstein

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