Photo Flash: Aurora Theatre to Stage Crucible Sequel ABIGAIL/1702

Filled with breathlessness and drama, Abigail/1702 is set to bring a vivid and haunting narrative to the Aurora Theatre mainstage from September 21 - October 15.

Ten years after the infamous Salem witch trials, The Crucible's notorious young accuser seeks a new life in Boston, hoping to leave the terrors of the past behind. As she will discover, forgiveness is often difficult and may come at an unthinkable price.

"Fans of history and The Crucible have always been fascinated by Abigail Williams, though we know so little about her life," says Justin Anderson, associate artistic director of Aurora Theatre. "This play expands upon her history, both before Salem and after, and allows us to understand the circumstances that informed the awful deeds she committed. In this play, in spite of those historic decisions, we get to explore the possibility of reinventing a life. This show dives into the idea of second chances, although not necessarily those that exclude the consequences of previous actions."

From American playwright, screenwriter and Marvel Comic book writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and under the direction of Anderson, Abigail/1702 tells the tale of Abigail Williams, one of the initial accusers in the Salem witch trials. For ten years since, she has been living in Boston under an assumed name, trying desperately to atone for her past, a past fraught with unspeakable evil. After agreeing to take a job as a nurse, the doors are opened to a discovery of love, lust, pirates, the plague and The Devil, while learning that the past is complicated and cannot always be erased.

Atlanta favorite Diany Rodriguez, from familiar performances in Into The Woods and In The Heights, will return to Aurora Theatre to play the title role. The powerhouse ensemble includes a bevy of actors making their Aurora Theatre debut including Atlanta favorites Lee Osorio and Peter Hardy, founding artistic director of the essential theatre. The line-up also features Olivia Dawson, who returns to Atlanta after having worked in regional theaters from Los Angeles, Portland, Milwaukee, Chicago and television appearances on Empire, Chicago Med and The Quad. The show will also introduce Joshua Pagan as Little Boy.

Abigail/1702 will play at Aurora Theatre September 21-October 15, 2017. A Wednesday discount matinee show will be offered on Wednesday, October 3 at 10 a.m. with tickets starting at $16. Regular tickets range from $20-$55 and may be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222. Season tickets and group rates are also available to help audiences make the most of Aurora Theatre's 2017-2018 season. For more information on this production or other programming, visit auroratheatre.com.

Photo by Chris Bartelski