THE CRUCIBLE Opens Hartford Stage's 48th Season 9/1

Classic drama returns to Hartford Stage this season, beginning with Arthur Miller's Tony Award-winning play The Crucible. Gordon Edelstein, Artistic Director of New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre directs a talented cast of 27 actors in this acclaimed drama. The production opens in previews on September 1 and runs at Hartford Stage through September 25. This season marks the beginning of the tenure of Hartford Stage's new Artistic Director, Darko Tresnjak, who partners with Managing Director Mike Stotts to lead the Tony Award-winning theatre.

In the play, hysteria spreads like wildfire across Salem Village, as lies become facts, fear supplants reason, and self-interest becomes religion. Inspired by one of the most sinister chapters of our history, The Crucible is an attack on the evils of mindless persecution and a cautionary tale for our times.Support for Hartford Stage productions is provided by The Greater Hartford Arts Council and The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Restaurant partner for The Crucible is Dish.

The cast of The Crucible consists of 27 actors and includes some returning favorites, though most are making their Hartford Stage debuts. They are: David Barlow, Tom Beckett, Curtis Billings, Ron Crawford, Kate Forbes, Richmond Hoxie, Annette Hunt, Rebekka Jones, Keira Keeley, Brent Langdon, Michael Laurence, Rachel Mewbron, and Sam Tsoutsouvas. Also in the cast: C. Zakiah Barksdale, Eileen Conneely, Jane Cracovaner, Annastasia Duffany, Eryn Edwards, Erin Fitzpatrick, Lilli Jacobs, Joseph M. Kornfeld, Lars Lee, William Macke, Elise Murphy, Karack Osborn, Courtney Rada, and Kristina Wilson

The Crucible is directed by Gordon Edelstein, who currently in his tenth season as Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. He has recently begun an association with Athol Fugard, directing his most recent work, including The Train Driver, and the world premieres of Have You Seen Us? (with Sam Waterston) and Coming Home. Later this year, he will direct the Broadway production of Fugard's The Road to Mecca for the Roundabout Theatre Company. This season at Long Wharf Mr. Edelstein will direct the world premiere of Sophie's Choice. Most recently his acclaimed Long Wharf Theatre production of The Glass Menagerie played the Roundabout and the Mark Taper Forum and was the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival. Other recent Long Wharf credits include Shirley Valentine (starring Judith Ivey), A Doll's House, and his own adaptation of Uncle Vanya. As a director of a diverse body of work, he has garnered three Connecticut Critics Circle Awards and, under his artistic leadership, Long Wharf Theatre has received 17 additional Connecticut Critics Circle Awards, including six best actor or actress awards in plays that he directed. He is also the recipient of the organization's Tom Killen Award, given annually to an individual who has made an indelible impact on the Connecticut theatrical landscape. In New York City, Mr. Edelstein has directed Some Americans Abroad at Second Stage and the American premiere of A Skull in Connemara at the Roundabout Theatre Company. During his tenure at Long Wharf Theatre, the theatre has produced world premieres by Paula Vogel, Athol Fugard, Craig Lucas, Julia Cho, Noah Haidle, Dael Orlandersmith, and Anna Deavere Smith. Prior to coming to Long Wharf Theatre, Mr. Edelstein was the Artistic Director of ACT Theatre in Seattle and the Associate Artistic Director of the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

The Crucible features scenic design by Tony Award winner Eugene Lee in his Hartford Stage debut; costumes by Ilona Somogyi (Tom Sawyer, Noises Off!, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Gem of the Ocean); lighting by Michael Chybowski in his Hartford Stage debut; and sound design and original music by John Gromada, who has over twenty Hartford Stage productions to his credit. Craig Handel (The 39 Steps, Gem or the Ocean) is the fight choreographer and ShaRon Jenkins is the choreographer.

Tickets for The Crucible are $23 to $69. A limited number of $10 "Ten Spot" tickets are also available for all performances, making Hartford Stage among the most affordable entertainment options in Connecticut. Discounts are available for groups of ten or more by calling 860-520-7244. Tickets for children and students are $10 off the full price when purchased in advance. Students of Capital Community College may purchase one $10 ticket to The Crucible upon presentation of their student ID at the Hartford Stage box office. All discount programs are subject to availability and cannot combined with other offers. Hartford Stage has wheelchair accessible seating, assistive listening devices and other amenities. For more information, please call the Hartford Stage box office. Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford with parking located in the MAT Garage, directly adjacent to the theatre. The theatre is accessible from I-84 and I-91.

Key Dates and Information
Tickets for The Crucible are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 860-527-5151 or by visiting hartfordstage.org.
Low-priced preview performances run September 1 through September 8.
Press opening for The Crucible is Wednesday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m.

The production runs through September 25.Evening performances are weeknights (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday) at 7:30 p.m. and weekends (Friday and Saturday) at 8:00 p.m. Matinee performances are Sundays and selected Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. For a more specific schedule of performances, call the Hartford Stage box office at 860-527-5151 or visit hartfordstage.org.

The Lunchtime FreeView for The Crucible, a brief scene from the play followed by and informative and lively discussion with members of the cast and artistic staff, will be held at noon on Thursday, September 15.
Open Captioned performances of The Crucible will take place on Sunday, September 18 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The Audio Described performance of The Crucible will be Saturday, September 24 at 2:00 p.m.
Cocktails with the Cast events take place after the performances on Friday, September 16 and Friday, September 23.

The Dinner and Design performance is Tuesday, September 6.
The Pasta and Producing a Play performance is Thursday, September 15.

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