In The Crucible, Massachusetts farmer John Proctor and his wife, Elizabeth, hire a young woman, Abigail Williams, as a domestic servant and subsequently release her from her duties. In revenge, Abigail accuses Elizabeth of witchcraft, a serious accusation in the highly charged political and social atmosphere of 17th-century Salem, Mass.

What follows is an account of the ways in which an oppressive ideology affects a community, breeding fear and mistrust.

Although initially seen as a commentary on McCarthyism and the actions of the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s, The Crucible provides an account of the cyclical nature of human behavior that is especially relevant today.

"When we selected the play for production more than a year ago, it appeared that current events might make it a very timely script," said Jim O'Connor, artistic director of USC Theatre South Carolina and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. "Just how timely it proved to be was beyond our expectations. When Miller, in response to the McCarthyism of the '50s, wrote the script about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, he had no idea it would have so much to say to an audience in 2003.”

A stripped-down set will serve as a guide for the audience, helping them to place the production in Colonial times but allowing the play to resonate in different time periods. Actors will wear historically accurate costumes but will express contemporary sentiment, he said.

"Great theater, like a Stradivarius violin, not only hits a true note, but also has resonations of sound for many octaves above and below," O'Connor said. “The Theatre South Carolina production, we believe, will again hit true notes that have resonations both backward and forward in time."

Guest artist Eric Hoffman will direct The Crucible. Hoffman is an actor, director, and teacher whose credits include appearances at Theatre Virginia, The Folger Shakespeare Theatre, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, and Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. At USC Theatre South Carolina, he recently appeared as the Russian ballet teacher in You Can't Take It With You and as Falstaff in last year's The Merry Wives of Windsor.

The cast includes Moriah McCarthy as Betty Parris; Brian Schilb, the Rev. Samuel Parris; Sara Thomas, Tituba; Kay Allmand, Abigail Williams; Ashley Kolaya, Susanna Wallcott; Raia Hirsch, Mrs. Ann Putnam; Fábio Pires, Thomas Putnam; Genevieve Sloan, Mercy Lewis; Mary Floyd, Mary Warren; Zach Hanks, John Proctor; Malie Heider, Rebecca Nurse; and R.I.G. Hughes, Giles Corey.

Other cast members are Patrick Mullins as the Rev. John Hale; Pamela Vogel, Elizabeth Proctor; Dick White, Francis Nurse; Richie Gross, Ezekiel Cheever; Joseph Shull, John Willard; Craig Miller, Judge Hathorne; Steve Fenley, Deputy Gov. Danforth, and Sarah Burchstead, Sarah Good. Ensemble members include Melissa Bishop, Rebecca Morrell, and Jessica Wharton.

Kimi Maeda is the scenic designer; Lisa Martin-Stuart and Valerie Pruett, costume designers; Gary Peoples, lighting designer. Jillian Owens is the stage manger; K. Dale White, production manager; and Eric Rouse, technical director. Sarah Barker is movement coach, and Erica Tobolski is vocal coach.

The Crucible, Miller's most produced play, won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1953. The 2002 Broadway revival was nominated for best revival.

Performances of The Crucible will be at 8 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sundays. No performance will be held April 20, Easter Sunday.

Tickets are $12 for the general public; $10 for USC faculty and staff, senior citizens, and the military; and $9 for students. Tickets are available by calling 7-2551 beginning at noon April 11.

03/03