Event Article

Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible," is one of the greatest modem plays of our time, often read in high schools and drama classes all over.

Miller's story which parallels the McCarthy "witch hunts," is often cited as being a very influential and stellar piece of work.

In fact Hollywood recently stuck its fangs into the play and made a full length motion picture starring Wynona Ryder and Joan Allen, which failed miserably.

Now the FC theatre department, with director Don Lemieux, decides to take it on for the fall play while adding a few new twists.

Imagine celebrating the new millennium in Times Square watching the New Years' ball drop and all of a sudden finding yourself in the 17th century at the Salem witch trials.

Lemieux believes that is something you'll definitely be interested in, as do many of the excited cast members of "The Crucible," which opened on October 16th.

A dramatic new spin is being brought to the well-known, Miller play this time though.

Centuries of time are being brought together in "The Crucible's" story line to present the audience with the various injustices and paranoia that have occurred throughout the world.

The play will begin with people partying in the millennium and move into the 17th century when the Salem witch trials were held.

While viewing the play the audience will also take in a dramatic backdrop of projected scenes taken from Auschwitz. Sarah Dunkerly, plays Mary Warrren, an accuser who went from good to bad, is very excited about her part in the play. It's one of the best parts of the play in my opinion," said Dunkerly referring to her character.

Dunkerly also discussed how the production was really coming together, due to the direction of Lemieux.

Another actor Paul De Derouen agrees that working with Lemieux is different, because Lemieux himself is an actor.

Lemieux, a native-Canadian, has a master's degree in fine arts. He also went to Western Michigan, as well as the Goodman School of the Arts at DePaul University.

Lemieux has acted in 40 different theatre productions and currently holds a position as faculty member of FC's nationally recognized theatre department.

Last spring, Lemieux co-directed "Moby Dick." Due to a sudden departure of one of the cast members, Lemieux found himself acting in it as well. Although it was difficult at times to separate the actor in him from the director, Lemieux did it successfully.

It his Lemieux's knowledge of being an actor that gives him an edge to working in the theatre that his cast members seem to like so much.

The cast had three weeks to memorize their lines before rehearsals began. Many felt comfortable after a few more weeks and then had to get used to performing in their costumes, which were designed by Mela Hoyt-Heydon.

In anticipation of the opening, the actors said that they were more excited than nervous.

"I think it should pretty much sell out," said Dunkerly.

Cast member Adam Rodriguez added, "This is far from what I'm used to, because in high school everyone was always screwing around and this is so professional."

While the witch trials is the major focus of the play, Miller's work also centers on the paranoia and injustices that repeats itself in history, which is exactly what the play will try to capture by making it more modem.