The Crucible
at Mission Viejo

Reviewed on November 2, 2018

Cameron Newman
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Mission's "The Crucible" bewitches audiences
written by Cameron Newman, a junior at San Juan Hills High School

The lights dim. The laughter of schoolgirls is audible as flames leap across the backdrop, illuminating dancing figures in silhouette. So begins Mission Viejo High School's production of "The Crucible".

Arthur Miller's classic drama is a chilling examination of the corrupting power of fear. Updated to a 2018 setting, rumors, scandal, and betrayal brew like a potion at "Salem Academy" as the community is seized by hysteria and accusations of dealings with the devil.

Spearheading these charges is schoolgirl Abigail Williams (Rachel Golkin). A master of deceit, Abigail is demure and frightened one moment, a sly seductress the next. She commands the room with her honeyed, assertive voice, then through wild eyes and distraught wailing convincingly feigns terror at an invisible spirit.

Ethan Cox's John Proctor anchors the show, displaying incredible range as he alternates between explosive anger and defeated remorse. He savagely shoves Mary, but later squeezes her shoulders in support as she testifies. When defending his wife's character, he towers imposingly over the court officials, fists and jaw clenched, yet hunches his shoulders in shame when confronting Abigail. In a final display of defiance, he lunges at Judge Danforth, roaring he will not sign away his soul before collapsing to his knees in despair.

The well rounded cast features several standouts. Emily Boyer's Elizabeth Proctor is grounded and resolute, masking her fear through restrained gestures and stiff posture. Jenna Bowman as Mary Warren nervously avoids eye contact and shifts her eyes and body weight, her answers choked and agonized as she is questioned. Carson Roman is snide and condescending as Deputy Danforth, wielding his authority with only a sharp tone, never raising his voice. The cast used no microphones, but compensated with stellar articulation and projection.

The metallic color scheme of the set alludes to the show's title, while props by Abby Ross help convey the modern setting, featuring a Starbucks cup, phones, and a laptop. Lighting is particularly effective: as Abby accuses Mary of being jealous and using witchcraft against her, the lights are a vivid envious green. Then, when Mary gives in to Abby, betraying John, the lights shift to a bloody red wash, reflecting her shift in allegiance.

Even with a modern setting, Mission's "The Crucible" preserves the heart of the story, making it as gripping and relevant today as it was seventy years ago.

Cameron Newman
San Juan Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Register

Mission's "The Crucible" bewitches audiences
written by Cameron Newman, a junior at San Juan Hills High School

The lights dim. The laughter of schoolgirls is audible as flames leap across the backdrop, illuminating dancing figures in silhouette. So begins Mission Viejo High School's production of "The Crucible".

Arthur Miller's classic drama is a chilling examination of the corrupting power of fear. Updated to a 2018 setting, rumors, scandal, and betrayal brew like a potion at "Salem Academy" as the community is seized by hysteria and accusations of dealings with the devil.

Spearheading these charges is schoolgirl Abigail Williams (Rachel Golkin). A master of deceit, Abigail is demure and frightened one moment, a sly seductress the next. She commands the room with her honeyed, assertive voice, then through wild eyes and distraught wailing convincingly feigns terror at an invisible spirit.

Ethan Cox's John Proctor anchors the show, displaying incredible range as he alternates between explosive anger and defeated remorse. He savagely shoves Mary, but later squeezes her shoulders in support as she testifies. When defending his wife's character, he towers imposingly over the court officials, fists and jaw clenched, yet hunches his shoulders in shame when confronting Abigail. In a final display of defiance, he lunges at Judge Danforth, roaring he will not sign away his soul before collapsing to his knees in despair.

The well rounded cast features several standouts. Emily Boyer's Elizabeth Proctor is grounded and resolute, masking her fear through restrained gestures and stiff posture. Jenna Bowman as Mary Warren nervously avoids eye contact and shifts her eyes and body weight, her answers choked and agonized as she is questioned. Carson Roman is snide and condescending as Deputy Danforth, wielding his authority with only a sharp tone, never raising his voice. The cast used no microphones, but compensated with stellar articulation and projection.

The metallic color scheme of the set alludes to the show's title, while props by Abby Ross help convey the modern setting, featuring a Starbucks cup, phones, and a laptop. Lighting is particularly effective: as Abby accuses Mary of being jealous and using witchcraft against her, the lights are a vivid envious green. Then, when Mary gives in to Abby, betraying John, the lights shift to a bloody red wash, reflecting her shift in allegiance.

Even with a modern setting, Mission's "The Crucible" preserves the heart of the story, making it as gripping and relevant today as it was seventy years ago.

Natalie Pearl
Dana Hills (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

MVHS's "The Crucible" bewitches audience

Witch trials and public hangings are seemingly ancient phenomena enacted by people from less educated times. However, Mission Viejo High School's modern interpretation of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" hints that such may not be the case.

As the play's stubborn protagonist, Ethan Cox delivers John Proctor's conflicted nature. With a warm, open stance, he expresses pure love toward Elizabeth Proctor (Emily Boyer) in contrast to his guilty lust toward Rachel Golkin's Abigail Williams, in which his stance stiffens in hopes of diminishing the palpable tension between the two. Golkin strengthens this bond with a youthfully manipulative manner, using swift, clean movements as she waltzes through a crimson-lit maze of desks in Proctor's office to strengthen his attraction.

Golkin further exemplifies a troubled teenager as she commands a courtroom of characters and a theatre of spectators. As Mary Warren (Jenna Bowman) pleads that the other girls are faking their possession, Golkin leads the others in a terrifically dedicated imitation, capturing and parroting the desperation of Warren's shrill cries.

Charlie Massey (Reverend Samuel Parris) and Adnan Maksoud (Reverend John Hale) complement one another with their perfectly opposing characters. Representing different sides of the court case, Massey's emotional Parris struggles to remain professional against Maksoud's stoic Hale who finds himself emotionally attached to the case.

Anna DiCamillo as Ann Putnam beautifully embraces the play's modern flare with her business-like approach to the character using quick, concise speech and deliberately intimidating movements.

Paired with stage manager Seadona Taloma's impeccably timed cues, Aiden Mella's lighting design enhances the heightened energy with a dramatic shift to bright green as the girls feign possession. It fades to a foreboding red upon the comradery of a common enemy in an allusion to the play's inspiration: McCarthyism.

Mission Viejo High School's "The Crucible" captures the timeless fear of witch trials and false charges.

Natalie Pearl
Dana Hills (SOCSA)
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

MVHS's "The Crucible" bewitches audience

Witch trials and public hangings are seemingly ancient phenomena enacted by people from less educated times. However, Mission Viejo High School's modern interpretation of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" hints that such may not be the case.

As the play's stubborn protagonist, Ethan Cox delivers John Proctor's conflicted nature. With a warm, open stance, he expresses pure love toward Elizabeth Proctor (Emily Boyer) in contrast to his guilty lust toward Rachel Golkin's Abigail Williams, in which his stance stiffens in hopes of diminishing the palpable tension between the two. Golkin strengthens this bond with a youthfully manipulative manner, using swift, clean movements as she waltzes through a crimson-lit maze of desks in Proctor's office to strengthen his attraction.

Golkin further exemplifies a troubled teenager as she commands a courtroom of characters and a theatre of spectators. As Mary Warren (Jenna Bowman) pleads that the other girls are faking their possession, Golkin leads the others in a terrifically dedicated imitation, capturing and parroting the desperation of Warren's shrill cries.

Charlie Massey (Reverend Samuel Parris) and Adnan Maksoud (Reverend John Hale) complement one another with their perfectly opposing characters. Representing different sides of the court case, Massey's emotional Parris struggles to remain professional against Maksoud's stoic Hale who finds himself emotionally attached to the case.

Anna DiCamillo as Ann Putnam beautifully embraces the play's modern flare with her business-like approach to the character using quick, concise speech and deliberately intimidating movements.

Paired with stage manager Seadona Taloma's impeccably timed cues, Aiden Mella's lighting design enhances the heightened energy with a dramatic shift to bright green as the girls feign possession. It fades to a foreboding red upon the comradery of a common enemy in an allusion to the play's inspiration: McCarthyism.

Mission Viejo High School's "The Crucible" captures the timeless fear of witch trials and false charges.

Samantha Melanson
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Mission Viejo brews a chilling performance of "The Crucible"
written by Samantha Melanson, a junior at Tesoro High School

Filled with lies, the conjuring of spirits, and forbidden love, Mission Viejo's "The Crucible" is exceptional. Set in 2018 in Salem Academy, the story follows the accusations of witchcraft made by the girls at the academy.

Stern and quick-tempered, Ethan Cox creates his aggressive character, John Proctor, with a bellowing voice and towering posture. Seething with anger, Cox grabs Abigail's (Rachel Golkin) mouth, pushes her to the ground, and vehemently shouts at her. Ripping his confession to pieces, Cox clutches onto the only thing that has not been stripped from him: his name. Cox wrings his hands, taps his foot, and clenches his jaw as he listens to the testimony.

Rachel Golkin excellently captures the deceitful essence of Abigail Williams. Cowering away from Rev. Samuel Parris (Charlie Massey), Golkin tries to manipulate Parris into thinking she is innocent. Golkin shrieks at the girls to keep quiet, intimidating them. Attempting to seduce John Proctor, Golkin slowly drops her sweater and reaches for his hand. Although she is willing to stop at nothing to have John Proctor back, Proctor slams the door on their forbidden love, filling her with resentment.

Jenna Bowman, playing Mary Warren, assumes her weak character by constantly giving into peer pressure. When Abigail and the other girls mimic Bowman in the courtroom, Bowman becomes more frenzied, shakes her hands in the air, and collapses to the ground. Worried about Elizabeth Proctor (Emily Boyer), Bowman fidgets and sobs. Bowman curls into a ball and backs away from John Proctor when he yells at her, revealing her timid nature.

Although they are unique to each character, Rachel Golkin's costume designs build a sense of unity. Creating an emblem for Salem Academy, the girls have a patch on their matching deep blue uniforms. Golkin consistently uses steel greys and blues to represent metal. Reflecting the light, Judge Hathorne's (Danny Sheikh) shimmery black robe shows his high status in the courtroom.

An enhancing technical element of this show is the detailed makeup by Anna DiCamillo, Emy Francisco, and Sofia Migliaccio. Creating aged characters, DiCamillo, Francisco, and Migliaccio form wrinkles and a faded skin texture. To display Mrs. Ann Putnam's (Anna DiCamillo) high social status, she has gaudy, red lipstick and dark, glittery eye shadow.

With admirable acting and technical elements, Mission Viejo's "The Crucible" reveals the destructive aftermath that lies cause.

Samantha Melanson
Tesoro
Submitted for publication to OC Facebook

Mission Viejo brews a chilling performance of "The Crucible"
written by Samantha Melanson, a junior at Tesoro High School

Filled with lies, the conjuring of spirits, and forbidden love, Mission Viejo's "The Crucible" is exceptional. Set in 2018 in Salem Academy, the story follows the accusations of witchcraft made by the girls at the academy.

Stern and quick-tempered, Ethan Cox creates his aggressive character, John Proctor, with a bellowing voice and towering posture. Seething with anger, Cox grabs Abigail's (Rachel Golkin) mouth, pushes her to the ground, and vehemently shouts at her. Ripping his confession to pieces, Cox clutches onto the only thing that has not been stripped from him: his name. Cox wrings his hands, taps his foot, and clenches his jaw as he listens to the testimony.

Rachel Golkin excellently captures the deceitful essence of Abigail Williams. Cowering away from Rev. Samuel Parris (Charlie Massey), Golkin tries to manipulate Parris into thinking she is innocent. Golkin shrieks at the girls to keep quiet, intimidating them. Attempting to seduce John Proctor, Golkin slowly drops her sweater and reaches for his hand. Although she is willing to stop at nothing to have John Proctor back, Proctor slams the door on their forbidden love, filling her with resentment.

Jenna Bowman, playing Mary Warren, assumes her weak character by constantly giving into peer pressure. When Abigail and the other girls mimic Bowman in the courtroom, Bowman becomes more frenzied, shakes her hands in the air, and collapses to the ground. Worried about Elizabeth Proctor (Emily Boyer), Bowman fidgets and sobs. Bowman curls into a ball and backs away from John Proctor when he yells at her, revealing her timid nature.

Although they are unique to each character, Rachel Golkin's costume designs build a sense of unity. Creating an emblem for Salem Academy, the girls have a patch on their matching deep blue uniforms. Golkin consistently uses steel greys and blues to represent metal. Reflecting the light, Judge Hathorne's (Danny Sheikh) shimmery black robe shows his high status in the courtroom.

An enhancing technical element of this show is the detailed makeup by Anna DiCamillo, Emy Francisco, and Sofia Migliaccio. Creating aged characters, DiCamillo, Francisco, and Migliaccio form wrinkles and a faded skin texture. To display Mrs. Ann Putnam's (Anna DiCamillo) high social status, she has gaudy, red lipstick and dark, glittery eye shadow.

With admirable acting and technical elements, Mission Viejo's "The Crucible" reveals the destructive aftermath that lies cause.