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'The Crucible' at UFOC a lesson for all times
Kristopher Irmiter stars as John Proctor
in The Crucible. / UFOC photograph
By Shauna Leavitt
July 12, 2005 | The misuse of fear
has often been the cause of human suffering and false
judgments.
A powerful portrayal of the exploitation of fear is
the operatic adaptation of Arthur Miller's The Crucible,
which is part of Utah Festival Opera's (UFO) 2005 season.
The production has the power to stir the soul if a
person is willing to put forth the effort. By listening
to the music and carefully pondering the words, the
observer may understand Miller's underlying message.
"The Crucible is gripping . . . it will
grab your heart. If you come and really listen without
any expectations you'll feel it," said patron Tammy
Rodeback.
Miller wrote the play during the anti-communism/Cold
War period when many innocent people were accused of
being communists and suffered the consequences.
Miller was concerned that the people of the United
States were losing their integrity.
What is integrity worth? What sacrifices should be
made by citizens to maintain the integrity?
These questions are addressed in The Crucible.
Those coming to see a light-hearted musical will be
disappointed.
"It is not a piece you would listen to while
relaxing and drinking coffee…the story is not (only)
timeless but incredibly important today . . . people
are still being unfairly judged," said Barbara
Day Turner, conductor of Annie Get Your Gun
and Turandot.
"I hope people are not scared away (by the deep
message). There is also great human drama and glorious
performers," said director Jack Shouse.
To help the audience prepare for the message, Michael
Ballam, general director of UFO, provides a thoughtful
introduction to Miller and his play before each performance.
On opening night, when the performers portraying the
villains came out to take their final bows they were
greeted with clapping and boos -- their characters were
so strong. One patron said she wished she could have
jumped on the stage, shouted out the truth and freed
the innocent.
For show times and tickets see UFO's website at http://www.ufoc.org/
or call 435-750-0300 ext. 106.
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