The Palmerton Area High School Drama Club will perform “The Crucible” this weekend with the first performance this evening at 7 o’clock.

The play was written by Arthur Miller and focuses on the Salem witch trials. The story follows John Proctor and his wife as accusations of witchcraft tear their community apart.

As the story unfolds, we see that the accusations are more based on jealousy and betrayal than truth, and we find that not everyone is as innocent as they might seem. There are themes that run through the play such as manipulation of truth for personal gain, forgiveness of terrible wrongdoing, and a willingness to look past what is on the surface.

“This play was chosen after speaking with members of our Language Arts Department about significant plays that should be done by any theater group,” said drama club adviser Brent Harris. “‘The Crucible’ is read in our classrooms and the students take an interest in it because of its intensity and lasting application in real-world scenarios. The play was written during the Red Scare and the accusations of witchcraft seen in the story of ‘The Crucible’ easily mimic the accusations of Communist activity seen throughout the United States in the 1950s.

“There is a sense of personal connection to it because it references these two significant moments in our nation’s history. It is a story that crosses genres and curriculums making it something that can be approachable for many. People will want to see it because it displays a gripping and historically relevant story whose heightened sense of panic and drama lead to intense performances on stage.”

Harris said students have been working hard and have poured a tremendous amount of energy into bringing their characters to life.

“This play has challenged them with its pull-no-punches attitude. Audiences should be aware of what they are coming to see. This is not our typical big smile song and dance show. This production is woven around heated arguments, accusations, manipulations, betrayals and losses. It is intense, it is aggressive, and it is different, but I feel that the students have done a tremendous job in bringing the production to life.

“We cannot wait to perform ‘The Crucible’ for everyone.”

Cast members with major roles are as follows: Alysa Roe as Betty Parris, Daniel Haskins as the Rev. Samuel Parris, Senia Smith as Tituba, Katie Rehatchek as Abigail Williams, Bailey Moyer as Mrs. Ann Putnam, Rheese Borland as Thomas Putnam, Kelly Heinick as Mary Warren, Matthew Binder as John Proctor, Mitchell Hourt as the Rev. John Hale, Molly Campbell as Elizabeth Proctor, Mason White as Ezekiel Cheever, Justin Marsteller as Judge Hathorne and Ezekiel Himmelwright as Deputy Gov. Danforth.

Additional cast members are: Hannah Serfass as Susanna Walcott, Gina Laviolette as Mercy Lewis, Mikayla Wilkins as Rebecca Nurse, Harrison Denithorne as Giles Corey, Alex Cornmesser as Francis Nurse, Aiden McCarty as John Willard, Caitlin Smith as Sarah Good and Joshua Rehatchek as Hopkins.

Also: Magnolia Young, Cora Wentz, Maddie Everett and Serenity Hamilton as Extra Teenage Girls; and Gianna Crispo, Savannah Klotz, Aliyah Snyder, Taylor Pengelley, Fiona Winger, Grace Heist, Maggie Himmelwright, Autumn Heydt, Nicole Kester, Faith Szena, Sam Perloni and Autumn Ladd as Extra Townspeople.

In addition to this evening, “The Crucible” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults. An intermission will be held between acts and refreshments/snacks will be available for purchase at the school store.