For Immediate Release

May 12, 2006

 

WICKED WITCHCRAFT COMES TO SAINT JOHN

Saint John Theatre Company Presenting 'The Crucible' May 25 - 27

 

While many girls her age are caught up in bubblegum music and all things pink and purple, Sarah Alston is dabbling in the dark and mysterious world of wicked witchcraft.

The 10-year-old Westfield School student is performing in the Saint John Theatre Company’s production of The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s thrilling play about the Massachusetts witch hunts of the 17^th century.

“I've been involved in the SJTC for two years,” says Alston, a chic dresser with a cascade of dark hair.   “I got involved when I heard about Evita from my dad, who has also been in a lot of plays.  The thing I like most about being in the SJTC is that you meet new people and that you get experience from all of the plays.  It’s been awesome!”

The Crucible is an intense, Tony Award-winning dramatization of one of the most shocking episodes in American history.  Paranoia runs rampant in Salem as people become convinced the devil is loose in their town.  There are accusations of witchcraft, wizardry and other wild things.  The mania leads to a bizarre trial and, ultimately, a tragedy.

Eighteen-year-old Alana LeBlanc plays Abigail, a temptress who has an affair with a married man named John Proctor (Brian Dobbelsteyn).   After being spotted dancing in the woods with other women, Abigail is accused of being a witch.

“Abigail is an interesting character and a challenging role,” says LeBlanc, an English student at UNBSJ.  “She's entirely consumed by her love for John Proctor and willing to do anything to get him back.  But in the end, she's mainly looking out for herself.  The best part about playing Abigail is how strong she is.  I've also never played ‘the bad guy’ before, which is just as fun as I'd been hoping.”

SJTC Artistic Director Stephen Tobias is directing The Crucible.  The cast also features Kizzy Kaye as Elizabeth Proctor, Peter Gilchrist as Francis Nurse, Jackie Oland as Rebecca Nurse and many other local actors. Emily Davidson plays Mary Warren, a young woman who gets caught up in Salem’s mass paranoia.

“She falls in with the girls accusing women of witchcraft,” says 20-year-old Davidson, also an English student at UNBSJ.  “Though she has some altruistic moments, she is concerned mostly with avoiding the noose. The entire play is so emotionally charged that it gets a bit exhausting! All the characters are fighting so hard to survive.”

Curtain time for The Crucible is 8 P.M. on May 25, 26 and 27.  There is also a 2 P.M. matinee on Saturday, May 27.  Ticket can be purchased through the Imperial Theatre Box Office at (506) 674-4100 or 1-800-323-SHOW (7469).

“The Crucible is a wonderful play with complex and fascinating characters and I'm ecstatic about being one of them,” LeBlanc says.  “I'm so happy to be involved and I know it'll be a great show. I can hardly wait!

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