Wilkes University Theatre Presents The Crucible, Feb. 22-25

Wilkes-Barre, PA (02/12/2018) — Wilkes University Theatre presents Arthur Miller's acclaimed drama The Crucible. The performances will take place on Feb. 22, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. with matinee performances on Feb. 24 and 25 at 2 p.m The production will occur at Wilkes' Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 S. River St.

This historical drama details the Puritan purge of witchcraft of insular Salem, Mass., in 1692, focusing on the life of John Proctor, his wife, Elizabeth Proctor and Abigail Williams, a young servant girl. After a group of young girls are found dancing in the woods and immediately fall ill, the citizens can find no earthly cause and point to a sinister force. When Abigail causes the arrest of Elizabeth after accusing her of witchcraft, John takes Abigail to court to admit the lie. However, John finds himself in the mix, condemned of witchcraft himself. The Crucible by Arthur Miller, won the 1953 Tony Award as best play, among numerous accolades.

The production is directed by Wilkes University Theatre's Jon P. Liebetrau, associate professor of theatre. The student cast includes: Justin Gaskill as John Proctor, Melissa Berardelli as Elizabeth Proctor, Marcy Ledvinka as Abigail Williams, Michaela Catapano as Mary Warren, Gianna Chase as Rebecca Nurse, Paul Doherty as Giles Corey and James Cahill as Francis Nurse.

Other cast members include Amanda Imbalzano, Alex Booth, Katelyn Sincavage, Maddie Black, Michael Rogers, Sarah Weynand, Kris Tjornhom, Shaun Pierre, Russell Newell, Kevin Rizzo, Joshua Shepard and Jordyn Williams.

General admission is $10, $5 for students and seniors and free for all Wilkes students, faculty and staff with ID. Parking is available at the Henry Student Center along with handicapped accessible options. For more information, please call the box office at 570-408-4540.

Photo 1: Melissa Berardelli as Elizabeth Proctor comforts Justin Gaskill as John Proctor in the Wilkes University production of The Crucible.

Photo 2: Marcy Ledvinka as Abigail Williams, Justin Gaskill as John Proctor and Melissa Berardelli as Elizabeth Proctor are three of the main characters in the Wilkes University production of The Crucible.

About Wilkes University:

Wilkes University is an independent institution of higher education dedicated to academic and intellectual excellence through mentoring in the liberal arts, sciences and professional programs. Founded in 1933, the university is on a mission to create one of the great small universities, offering all of the programs, activities and opportunities of a large, research university in the intimate, caring and mentoring environment of a small, liberal arts college, at a cost that is increasingly competitive with public universities. The Economist named Wilkes 25th in the nation for the value of its education for graduates. In addition to 42 bachelor's degree programs, Wilkes offers 25 master's degree programs and five doctoral/terminal degree programs, including the doctor of philosophy in nursing, doctor of nursing practice, doctor of education, doctor of pharmacy, and master of fine arts in creative writing. Learn more at www.wilkes.edu.

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Marcy Ledvinka as Abigail Williams, Justin Gaskill as John Proctor and Melissa Berardelli as Elizabeth Proctor are three of the main characters in the Wilkes University production of The Crucible.

Melissa Berardelli as Elizabeth Proctor comforts Justin Gaskill as John Proctor in the Wilkes University production of The Crucible.