The Crucible at Lake Country Playhouse

STAGED READING Producing Sponsor: Kit Seidel Directed by Jonathan Betzler Producer: Sandra Renick Producing Manager: Chris Celestin

Performances: Friday, August 25, 7:30pm Saturday, August 26, 7:30pm Sunday, August 27, 2:00pm

Cast: Betty Parris - Emma Schmeling Reverend Samuel Parris - Peter Kao Tituba - Jaleesa Joy Abigail Williams - Mary Grace Siegel Susanna Walcott - Talia Last Ann Putnam/Sarah Good - Sandra Baker-Renick Thomas Putnam/ Ezekiel Cheever - David Wise Mercy Lewis - Lainie Slipper Mary Warren - Lilly Peterson John Proctor - Matt Ragalie Rebecca Nurse - Anne Richie Giles Corey - Dick Natrop Reverend John Hale - Collin Michael Kavanagh Elizabeth Proctor - Emma Romeo Moyer Francis Nurse - Scott Stenstrup John Willard - Chris Celestin Judge Hathorne - John Tiefel Deputy-Governor Danforth - Erico Ortiz

Synopsis Recipient of The Tony Award® for Best Play

The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie—and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted. The farmer, instead of saving his wife, finds himself also accused of witchcraft and ultimately condemned with a host of others.

Winner of the 1953 Tony Award for Best Play. This exciting drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society. “A powerful drama.” —NY Times. “Strongly written.” —NY Daily News.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR:

Jonathan Betzler – Jonathan graduated with a BFA in Film and Television from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. His first feature film, Homecoming, played festivals and was named Best Narrative Feature at the Southern Winds Film Festival. He also executive produced and co-directed, the award-winning character-driven web series, Intersection. His short films include Winter Solstice, Just Reward, Plato Told Him, Univited and One Particular Person which won the Jury Prize at the online film festival Got Film Fest and was awarded Best Romance at the New York Independent Film and Video Festival. Jonathan worked with Merchant Ivory Productions for two and a half years and was involved in the productions of Surviving Picasso, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries and The Golden Bowl, and Cotton Mary. He hosted the film talk show Film ReVision on WNET in NYC and now hosts the show The No-Name Cinema Society. Jonathan also teaches Screenwriting and Directing at the Digital Film Academy.