A Cappies Review of Potomac Falls HS’s The Crucible

By Miranda Ridgley of Stone Bridge High School

To some, witches are a childhood story. To others, a fun and classic Halloween costume. But to the citizens of Salem, Massachusetts, it is a sensitive topic that isn’t to be trifled with. And yet, it still is in Panther Productions’ chilling performance of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. The story, written in 1953, follows a man, his wife, and his mistress as their town gets tangled up in dangerous witchery accusations. Growing like weeds, the suspicion quickly poisons the minds of all, regardless of status or power, till trust is lost in everyone, even themselves.

The troubled man in the middle of this whirlwind, John Proctor, was undoubtedly perfected by Owen Cook. Cook bewitched the audience with his remarkable ability to convey his character’s emotion at any given moment throughout. This, paired with the carefully crafted relationship between him and Elizabeth Proctor, elevates Cook’s acting to one that rivals professionals. Speaking of Elizabeth, Lauren Ignazzitto can bring to life such mannerisms that could not have been better replicated by a woman of that time – from calculated pauses in conversation to the physicality between her and John’s tense moments in a relationship that grows despite the adversity they go through.

This terrifying tale could not have been accomplished without Avery Medina portraying the vexatious Abigail Williams. From the oh-so-sweet girl who fell in love with a married man to the manipulative maiden who casts the blame on the nearest person at a moment’s notice, Medina creates remarkable contrast in every scene that she appears in, truly bringing this play to new heights. Similarly, Landon Ulrich as Deputy Governor Danforth takes Act Two by storm with a commanding stage presence and powerful line delivery which wholly complements his character in the best way.

Adding to the exceptionality of this show was the impressively dedicated ensemble. From minute background details in each scene to invigorating physical portrayals of possession, the dancing ladies were arguably one of the most influential parts of the experience.

But of course, the petrifyingly convincing acting only goes so far, and what they couldn’t show was impeccably presented by tech. Most notable were the sets, led by Kara Adamson. Though at first unsuspecting, the backdrop adds the perfect rustic and historical touch to each scene. The accuracy of each piece, from the courtroom benches to the bed itself, was heavily researched and hand-crafted by the students themselves. 

Hand-in-hand with sets, lighting (led by Sarah Chung), encapsulated the dire mood of each scene through minuscule choices, such as LEDs ingrained in the set and a gobo that ties together the show with a noose at the very end. These choices truly show the importance of the small details in a bigger picture. Last but certainly not least, is Hair and Make-up’s (led by Isabelle Sullivan) artistic ability to physically show what each of the characters had suffered in this harsh story through sickly faces, gashes, and so much more.

Potomac Falls’ display of this well-known cautionary tale leaves a chill in those who dare to see it. 

With flawless actors that seemingly put a spell on the audience with their incredible talent and a crew conjuring an incredible understanding of each individual technical aspect, this department exceeded all expectations with an invigorating performance that will keep audiences hung up on it for a long time.