ARTS The Michigan Daily Wednesday, February 20; 1985 Page 5 The Crucible' stages gripping hysteria By Jeffrey Seller NGROSSED IN fits of hysteria, rage, and delirious visions, a group of adolescent girls occupy a wit- ness stand, indicting for witchcraft the respectable members of their com- munity. The inquisitions for which these girls testify are none other than the Salem witchtrials of 1692. These trials, the backdrop for Arthur Miller's The Cricible, which opens Wednesday at the Power Center, are manifestations of the guilt, conflict, and discontent which infected the puritanical society of the small, Massachusetts town. "The trials are an inevitable release for conflict," says Gavin Cameron- Webb, director of the play. "If this society was harmonious, the trials wouldn't happen. But this society is not a happy place, it's very harsh. It is a society where softness is corrupt, and evil." "They're so strict-if they're not working, they're sinning," comments Ann Beck, who plays one of the young }girls in the play. Indeed, the strickness and harshness of the puritanical society provides the impetus for the impending crisis. What begins as a clandestine, moonlit dance in the forest for the group of girls develops into a scandalous witch's ceremony that snowballs into an uncon- trollable crisis, stretching its arms to affect everyone in the community. Suddenly, witchcraft becomes the society's scapegoat for conflict, guilt, and discontent, and the girls, to save themselves, indict dozens of women from the community. "It seems to work for the girls," says. Kathie Kinzel, who plays the youngest of them. "Suddenly the adults are being nice to them." "It gives them an importance they've never had or even expected to have," adds Beck. "And it gets rid of a lot of the undesirable people in the society-drunks, bag ladies. Nobody cares about them, they don't matter. But the society breaks down when (the hysteria) reaches those with good souls, thosewho are honorable." "It doesn't seem fair that these girls have such power over others," adds Kinzel, "but they have the support of the adults-adult hatred feeds them." Indeed, for the adults, the trial is a purging of their own sins. "They want witchcraft," says Webb, "to prove where all this discontent has come from in the society." That the trials reach the dimensions they do is a reflection of the excessive self-repressiveness of the community. The magnitude of their hysteria is reflected by their excessive stringency, strictness, and value system. "The society behaves true to form right down to the end of the play," asserts Webb. "Arther Miller is showing how people not provided with ample opportunity to let out emotions like anger and resen- tment will go to extremes to protect their values, and their dignity," says Julianne Bernstein, who plays another young girl in the play. Through its themes of repression, both social and political, extremism, and mass hysteria with its uncon- trollable consequences, the play, which was written in response to the famous McCarthy hearings-those political and social inquistions that invaded our own society in the 1950s-still maintains its relevance in today's society, assert several cast members. The Crucible is presented by the University Players of the Professional Theatre Program, and will be staged February 20-24 at the Power Center. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets can be ob- tained at the PTP Box Office in the Michigan League, or at the door for $3.00-$5.00. For more information call 764-0450. proves I Isaacson's "Three of Whom" presented the lives of three supposedly very dif- ferent charcters (a congressman, a professional pitcher, and a convict) within some tremendously disturbing parallels. The remaining contribution by Fram- ji Minwalla, "Freeze Frame", was saying something, but I am at a loss to say what. The play followed a very unique format in which the characters traveled around the stage in darkness with spotlights periodically illuminating them in frozen positions. But the actors made too much noise running about the stage and it wasn't Student theatre Three cast memibers of The Crucible are shown here in their puritanical garb. The show opens Wednesday night at the Power Center. audable By Kathleen Haviland MIINDLESS, mediocre entertain- ment can be found anywhere you look-just turn oi prime time TV, read your favorite tabloid, or flip on the Top 40 radio stations. Entertainment that makes you think, entertainment that questions is a much rarer commodity. Street Light Theater's production of F Wendy's Vegetable of Confusion was one of these beacons of hope. Six in- dividual student-authored plays -brought to life the questions any person has, once he or she begins to contem- plate what is going on in our society. The topics staged ranged from the saturation of society by television, to yuppies carrying the success ethic murderously far, and to that comfor- ting Christian concept that God will solve your problems as long as you have faith. While each of the plays was a unique creation there was a very disconcerting aura surrounding all of them. No aspect of one's socialized beliefs was left untouched. Michael Rosenblum's "Tale of the Tennis Hero and the Criminal Mystic" revolved around a media-hyped tennis pro whose career and mental health are jeopardized by a fizzling backhand. The pro turns in desperation to the mystic for a solution only to discover that the mystic is powerless. Rick Boike's "Blind Faith" showed a woman who believes that her faith in God will protect her failing eyesight-the woman went blind. John Shaw's "Gargoyles, A Valentine Play" con- trasted young naive love to a harsh and terrifyingly disillusioned adult relationship. Terry Cunningham's and Danny Thompson's "The Desires of Desiree" portrayed a Mary Kay saleswoman who murders her way to the top (the presidency of the United States) in the name of success. David dark enough for their movements to be hidden. Consequently, I had trouble focusing on the intended meaning of their various illuminated moments. Each of the plays delved into an in- credible amount of material, to the point where I often got depressed by the barrage of societal attacks but what was important was that the points which the playwrights presented were all too true. And this is what made the evening such an enjoyable one-the proof that not all the students are becoming the conforming, conservative sheep the media would have us believe. STOP BLUSHING NERVOUS STUTTERING & INSECURITIES Shyness, stress, poor memory, or bad habits, fear of exams, etc. will be elim- inated with the LEON HARDT METHOD, founded in Ger- many in 1932. Send $1 cash or stamps for brochure: LEON HARDT (MD), PO Box 42905, Tucson, AZ 85733 Arthur Miller's I I T The Power Center 1 The 'Crucible February 20-23, 8:00 pm February 24, 2:00 pm I ' The Professional Theatre Program Ticket Office: (313) 764-0450 U-M Department of Theatre and Drama The Campus Copy Shop COPIES ENLARGEMENTS BINDING " REDUCTIONS * " PASSPORT PHOTOS " AND MUCH MORE " Directed by Gavin Cameron-Webb With Patrid Boyette and Erik Fredricksen Open 7 days a week/Mon.-Thur. till midnight. 540 E. LIBERTY ST. 761-4539 Corner of Maynard and Liberty 0 E I N ARBO II. I (...... SAT. SUN, FIRST SHOW ONLY $2.00 1NEW TWILIGHT SHOWS : U.He MON. THRU FRI. I aI $2.50 TIL 6 P.M. . '~i~oawith this ent 1.Q off any $40 OFF 1 or 2 ticket features thri "BEAUTIFUL A S MOVING" WINNER BEST DI BERTRAND TAV CANNES FILM FE is: tire ad $1.00 0 admission 0 s. Good all u 2/21/85. " " " AND S - N.Y. TIMES " RECTOR * ERNIER STIVAL *0 " " " " " e" " EE, ME and Computer Science Majors Total project . involvement... it's in our hands Our shirtsleeve engineering style at Hamilton Standard.. . it's ideal for people who won't let go of a problem till it's solved. Who invest a lot of themselves in their work. And who want the freedom to see an idea through to production. HAMILTON STANDARD IS COMING ON CAMPUS WED., MARCH 6 BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR AN INTERVIEW We're innovative pacesetters. Our highly advanced technologies are serving worldwide aerospace.. . automotive and industrial markets. Are you ready to make your professional mark? See your Placement Office today to arrange an appointment. If you are unable to meet with us, please send details of your education and experience to: William Kelly, College Co- ordinator, Dept. 130, Hamilton Standard, Windsor Locks, CT 06096. UNITED TECHNOLOGIES AMILTO)N We want your opinions. If you want experience writing and organizing arguments, and you are willing to take on' extra responsibilities for a meager wage- The Michigan Daily is accepting applications for an Opinion Page Staff. Applicants must possess: * Argumentative writing skills o Awareness of national and international events 0 An understanding of campus and local issues There will be an organizational meeting for applicants on ;: ,. L y _ r . . ;,.. f H f (G) DAILY 5:20, 7:20, 9:45 I i . . 7 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS, Incl.