JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN to Open Northern Stage's 2026/27 Season
Robert David Grant leads a cast directed by Sarah Elizabeth Wansley in the Tony-nominated drama.
Northern Stage will open its 2026/27 season with recent Tony-nominated Broadway favorite John Proctor is the Villain, written by Kimberly Belflower. Directed by Northern Stage's BOLD Associate Artistic Director Sarah Elizabeth Wansley, this production will run from September 23 through October 11, 2026 in the Byrne Theater at the Barrette Center for the Arts.
Robert David Grant (Macbeth, Sweat, King Lear, Constellations at Northern Stage; Succession on HBO) returns to Northern Stage as teacher Carter Smith. He will be joined by Caitlin Duffy (The Play That Goes Wrong at Northern Stage) and Northern Stage newcomers Adriana Scalice (SIX: The Musical National Tour) as Shelby Holcomb, Nevada Riley (Beetlejuice on Broadway) as Beth Powell, Chloe Kaitlyn Brown (Project Y's The Movement's Children) as Nell Shaw, Alana Harrison (Anything Goes at The Pasadena Playhouse) as Ivy Watkins, Sidney Diaz (HBO's Slave Play. Not A Movie. A Play.)) as Raelynn Nix, Alex Pharo (Dear Evan Hansen US Tour) as Mason Adams, and Colin Konstanty (Trevor the Musical on Broadway and Disney+) as Lee Turner.
“This smart, funny, moving play takes us back to a pivotal moment in the #MeToo movement and asks about its aftermath,” says Director Sarah Wansley. “It's an explosive and empowering play about female friendship and community. I am thrilled to collaborate again with Rob Grant and to introduce this dynamic ensemble of young actors to the Upper Valley.”
John Proctor is the Villain explores themes of power, gender, truth, and accountability through the lens of a rural Georgia high school English class studying Arthur Miller's The Crucible. As students begin to question the narratives and assumptions embedded in the classic play, #MeToo allegations at their own school force them to confront similar questions in their own lives. Balancing humor with emotional depth, Kimberly Belflower's Tony-nominated drama examines how a new generation grapples with history, justice, and whose stories get told.
The creative team, led by Wansley, includes Julia Egizio (Production Stage Manager), David Arsenault (Scenic Designer), Lexi Spanier (Costume Designer), Jennifer Fok (Lighting/Projection Designer), DJ Potts (Sound Designer), Brianna Mercado (Choreographer), Thom Miller (Dialect Coach), Elizabeth Sarsfield (Assistant Stage Manager), and Mandi Benjamin (Producer).
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