The Seton Hill University production of The Crucible opens Thursday, September 26th at 8:00 p.m. in Reeves Theatre. Accusations. Blacklisting. Purges. Arthur Miller combated Senator Joseph McCarthy’s Communist witch-hunts by revising Puritans mass hysteria over witchcraft in old Salem. His chilling drama is both a gripping chronicle and a timely parable of the fatal consequences of fraudulent allegations and slanderous attacks. It is a tale about John Proctor, a young farmer, his wife Elizabeth and their young servant girl who maliciously causes Elizabeth’s arrest for witchcraft. He brings the girl to court to admit the lie and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is frighteningly depicted. Instead of saving his wife, Proctor finds himself also accused and ultimately condemned with a host of others. Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play. "A Powerful Drama," said the New York Times.

The following 16 SHU students have been cast in the production: Kristee Cordeiro, daughter of Lisa and Jay Cordeiro of Cranston, Rhode Island and freshman musical theatre major, has been cast in the role of Betty Paris; Josh Galligan, son of Bob and Linda Galligan of Willow Street, PA and junior theatre major, has been cast in the role of Reverend Samuel Paris; Rose Marotta, daughter of Joseph and Susan Marotta of Greensburg, PA and sophomore theatre major, has been cast in the role of Titbula; Sara Canter, daughter of Kathy and Jeff Canter of Fair Oaks, PA and junior musical theatre major, has been cast in the role of Abigail Williams; Melissa Kowalski, daughter of Raymond and Kim Kowalski of New Kensington, PA and sophomore theatre and music education major, has been cast in the role of Susanna Wallcott; Allison Weakland, daughter of Kathy and John Weakland of Canonsburg, PA and sophomore theatre major, has been cast in the role of Ann Putnam; Matt Starry, son of Louis and Carol Starry of Latrobe, PA and sophomore theatre management major, has been cast in the role of Thomas Putnam; Adrienne Fischer, daughter of Karen Fischer of Monroeville, PA and freshmen theatre major, has been cast in the role of Mercy Lewis; Kelly Smogor, daughter of Robert Smogor of Derry, PA and sophomore theatre major, has been cast in the role of Mary Warren; Nate Newell, son of Pat and Kathie Newell of Havre, Montana and senior musical theatre and secondary English education major, has been cast in the role of John Proctor; Erin Maureen Burke, daughter of Tom and Barb Burke of Bothell, Washington and senior theatre major, has been cast in the role of Rebecca Nurse; Dorien Belle, son of Darlene Lawrence of Philadelphia, PA and senior musical theatre major, has been cast in the role of Giles Corey; Adam Altman, son of Linda K. Altman of Latrobe, PA and junior theatre major, has been cast in the role of Reverend John Hale; Kristen Secrist, daughter of Robin and Gerald Secrist of West Newton, PA and junior theatre major, has been cast in the role of Elizabeth Proctor; Matt McDonough, son of Susan and John McDonough of St. Marys, PA and sophomore musical theatre major, has been cast in the role of Ezekiel Cheever; and Keith Gray, son of Angela Engelke and Roger Gray of Pasadena, Maryland and junior theatre major, has been case in the role of Deputy-Governor Danforth.

Matthew Starry, son of Louis and Carol Starry of Latrobe, PA and sophomore theatre management major, is the stage manager for the production and freshman JoAnna Terwilliger, daughter of Annie and John Ponikvar of Canonsburg, PA and freshman technical theatre major, is the assistant stage manager. Dr. Gene Saraceni, professor of theatre at Seton Hill University, will be the director.

The Crucible will be presented September 27 and 28 at 8:00 p.m.; September 29 and October 6 at 2:00 p.m.; and October 1, 2 and 4 at 10:30 a.m.

All performances are staged in Reeves Theatre on the College campus. Tickets are $12; group rates are $10 for 16 or more. Reservations are recommended. For group or individual reservations, contact the SHC Box Office at (724) 838-4241, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.