Why did Arthur Miller, a twentieth century literary celebrity, set his classic play The Crucible in Salem Massachusetts in 1692? Surely his testifying before the House Un-American Activities Committee felt like a frenetic witch-hunt, pitting friend against friend in an attempt to expose communist sympathizers in the arts community. That is the essence of The Crucible — a close-knit community caught in hysteria induced by the church-sanctioned government search for those who traffic in the work of the devil.
Steppenwolf’s The Crucible — Fear and Innocence
John and Elizabeth Proctor are the prototypical young couple of their day — principled, hard-working parents of three sons. John, played by Travis A. Knight is not above demanding his wife serve him cider with dinner when he is ready for it. Elizabeth, played by Kristina Valada-Viars is dutiful to a fault despite her husband’s dalliance with the beguiling Abbie Williams. There is a loyalty between them that has stood the test of time. Never mind their love is driven by fear. What’s an agrarian family to do when the going get’s rough? They close ranks and cling tightly to one another.
