The Crucible
at Arnold O. Beckman High School

Reviewed on January 20, 2017

Ben Sellers
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Arnold O. Beckman High bewitches with "The Crucible"
written by Ben Sellers, a junior at Mission Viejo High School

Arnold O. Beckman High School's 1950's inspired production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" is a tale of fighting hypocrisy on a mass scale and the destructive power of jealousy in a society.

The play tells of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, in which a group of young girls were caught ritualistically dancing in the woods and deflected their blame onto those they accused of being witches. John Proctor (Mason Reynosa) is a farmer who stands against the fraudulent accusations set against his wife, Elizabeth Proctor (Sarah Troup), by Abigail Williams (Meghan Marshall) who wants to get rid of Elizabeth to take her place as John's wife.

Mason Reynosa as John Proctor is a force upon the stage, with a grounded stance and weighty inflection. His frustration with the hypocritical society in which he lives and his own sins are apparent through his painful glances and able command of his fellow actors. He is well balanced by Sarah Troup as Elizabeth Proctor, whose powerful control of emotion and motivated movements allow her to effectively connect with both John and the audience.

Meghan Marshall as Abigail Williams embodies the contemporary antagonist- manipulative, deceptive, and skewed. The contrast of her quaint clothing and youthful mannerisms with her sinister motives creates a potent character that brings out the worst in all whom she chooses. Beneath her is Nikki Herrington as Mary Warren, a shifty-footed girl whose subservient qualities and intriguing vulnerabilities contribute to the tension created by the impending conflict.

Some featured roles in this play stand out as well- Julia Arguelles as Tituba gives an energetic performance as the Barbados slave girl with an impressive accent and exotic physicality. Raymond Vasco as Giles Corey also impresses with his weathered physique and hardy convictions; many members of the cast engage with their distinct characteristics and varied choices.

The costumes, designed by Meghan Marshall and Shira Cortez, aptly exhibited the 1950's time period in which the play took place. The symbolistic use of the color red in the girls, along with the more subdued colors of the accused, accentuated the McCarthy-istic theme and easily differentiated the two sides of the story.

"The Crucible" at Arnold O. Beckman High School is a compelling and cogent look into two dark times in American history- the Salem Witch Trials and The Red Scare.

Jackson Maxwell
Mission Viejo High School
Submitted for publication to OC Varsity Arts

Beckman's 'Crucible' bewilders
written by Jackson Maxwell, a senior at Mission Viejo High School

Arnold O. Beckman High School bewitches in its production of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," illuminating the parallel between the hysteria of the Salem witch trials and the paranoia of 1950's McCarthyism.

The play begins with a mystical ritual in the forest, performed by several girls including Tituba (Julia Arguelles) and Betty Parris (Mathea Mari Glittenberg). The occult nature of their "dancing" spawns false accusations of witchcraft that spread until nearly every townsperson is implicated, much like Joseph McCarthy's unfounded accusations of communist sympathetics.

Central to the show is John Proctor, played by Mason Reynosa. As an honest, straightforward character, Reynosa utilizes a grounded posture and strong, decisive movements. This is contrasted by Sarah Troup as John's wife Elizabeth, who maintains a generally subdued, subtle persona when onstage. However, her nuanced softness becomes coarse as the play progresses, reaching a climax when she cries that Abigail Williams (Meghan Marshall) "must be ripped out of the world!"

As Abigail, the source of the rumors plaguing Salem, Meghan Marshall draws a dichotomy between Abigail's angelic, straight-laced public image and her much more sinister, scheming private side. While speaking to Reverend Samuel Parris (Jonathan Thomas), Marshall's facial expressions seem childlike and innocent; however, when alone with John Proctor, Marshall's sweet smile turns sour as she presses him to admit and submit to his lust for her.

Despite limited stage time, Raymond Vasco conjures up a convincing Giles Corey, an elderly farmer and Proctor's friend. Through a rigid, slightly hunched-over stance and similarly stiff movements, Vasco successfully portrays Corey's old age, even when standing in the background. In addition, Julia Arguelles' Tituba shines through a believable Barbados accent and impassioned inflection as she cries, "I don't compact with no Devil!"

As part of the allegory to McCarthyism, Meghan Marshall and Shira Cortez's costumes maintain a 1950's style, complete with suits, polka dots, and slim, bright pink skirts. Using the motif of red as a representation of sin, Abigail Williams' (Meghan Marshall) costume transforms throughout the play. Beginning with only a pair of scarlet shoes, Marshall and Cortez continue the theme with a red necktie and, finally, a bright, crimson dress.

Beckman makes an intriguing Cappies debut through "The Crucible," blending attempted social commentary with passable performances and daring design choices.

Justine Sombilon
La Habra
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook Page

Beckman Condemns the Innocent in "The Crucible"
written by Justine Sombilon, a junior at La Habra High School

Beckman High School's production of "The Crucible" creatively proves that the most evil of the devil's agents are not found high in the sky or under the ground, but in the deepest of the heart's desires.

With deliberate, fast movements and the use of red as a visual metaphor for sin and evil, Beckman's winter production refreshes the demise of a simple farmer named John Proctor and his wife Elizabeth by moving the time period of events to that of the 1950s, amid the rise of McCarthyism and the Red Scare. As the innocent couple is accused of witchcraft by John's former mistress, Abigail, their relationship is put to the ultimate test during the Salem Witch Trials.

Mason Reynosa, as John Proctor, is an immovable force to be reckoned with. His feet stand firm even as his spirit begins to falter and his voice powerfully booms over the court in his most impassioned speeches. Everyone else gravitates toward him, emphasizing that he is the literal and moral core of the show.

One of the youngest, and yet the most destructive, townsfolk who interacts with John is the infamous Abigail Adams, engagingly portrayed by Meghan Marshall. As the provocative villain of the show, Marshall differentiates herself from the rest of Salem by the multiple facades she puts up. Whether it be her sweet front for her uncle, Reverend Samuel Parris (Jonathan Thoms), or her intentional ability to make John uncomfortable with a simple swipe of her fragile hand, she proves her versatility all throughout.

The Court, led by Cindy Vu's Deputy-Governor Danforth, is the ultimate image of power: strong, uncompromising women in sleek black and white pantsuits. The neutrality of their costumes match their attempts of staying unbiased and unshaken by the explosive events taking place around them.

The use of color, specifically a bold shade of crimson red, as a device to portray themes of sin and innocence, is orchestrated beautifully by Meghan Marshall and Shira Cortez. The stark contrast between Elizabeth's light, simple homemaker outfit and Abigail's black dress and bold red stilettos communicates the two extremes of conscience the two women possess.

Beckman High School's "The Crucible" shows that a curse upon one's conscience is just as damning as a curse upon one's house, whether or not cast by a real witch.