Student theater brings The Crucible to University of St. Francis
The classic American drama, The Crucible, will be presented at the University of St. Francis, Oct. 27-29.
First produced in 1953, The Crucible by Arthur Miller is a gripping historical drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in 1692 Salem, Mass. The drama begins when a spiteful teenager accuses her rival of witchcraft and an entire village suffers the consequences.
The Crucible explores individual guilt and mass hysteria, as well as an epidemic of collective evil that can sweep a community. Miller’s classic is a parable for contemporary society.
The Crucible is presented by the university’s Department of Music and Performing Arts and the Sometimes Thespians student theater troupe. The play will be at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Oct. 27-29 in the Moser Performing Arts Center studio theater. Tickets are $12 and $8 for students and senior citizens. For reservations or information, call (815) 740-3404.
The cast includes Anna Deneka of Midlothian as Rebecca Nurse/Mrs. Griggs; Jim Grady of Chicago as Mr. Thomas Putnam; Nicole Talaga of Joliet as Mercy Lewis; Katie Brock of Homer Glen as Anne Putnam/Sarah Good; Jessica Frigin of Naperville as Susana Walcott; Joe Zordan of Chicago as Mr. Hale; Sera O’Connor of Worth as Elizabeth Proctor; Steven Shanks of Bolingbrook as John Proctor; Jessica Jannusch of Robbinsdale, Minn. as Abigail Williams; Jeff Hicks of Joliet as Giles Corey/Griggs; Linda Lawinger of Huntley as Martha Corey; Katrina Crone of Peoria as Mary Warren; Racetterealyn Miranda of Chicago as Betty Parris; Jamin Gahm of Freeport as Thomas Danforth; Jeanelle Cologero of Minooka as Ruth Putnam; Sarah Moore of Joliet as Tituba; Nora Keane of Homer Glen as Joanna Preston/Osborn; Chris Giugler of Joliet as Francis Nurse; Kevin Leonard of Palos Park as Hawthorne; and Nick Cerovac of Shorewood as Rev. Parris.
The Crucible is directed by Daina Giesler of Yorkville. Technology/stage manager is Jenn Onderisin of Channahon.
The University of St. Francis is at 500 Wilcox St. in Joliet. Founded in 1920, USF serves more than 4,100 students nationwide, offering more than 60 areas of undergraduate study and 11 graduate programs. For more information about the University of St. Francis, visit www.stfrancis.edu