There is nothing more rewarding about going to a Broadway play than sitting in a theater and being riveted by a story that is timely, funny, and shocking, and addresses a societal flaw that has been happening for longer than we all want to recognize. As I sat in the Booth Theatre on W 45th Street, I got to experience Kimberly Belflower’s poignant, powerfully gripping and stunning new play, “John Proctor is the Villain,” about a group of high school students and their teacher in a small town in northeast Georgia, who are reading and dissecting Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” They discuss how the story focused on the Salem witch trials and how it also drew a comparison between those trials and the McCarthy era of the 1950s. The students discuss the lessons in the story, including how a lie that can be spread and believed can go on to ruin people’s lives. The teacher, Mr. Smith, trumpets his belief that, in the story, John Proctor is a hero. That thought is shared by some of the students in the class, but as they break down the story and the actions and words of John Proctor, a dark side of this character is revealed.
Themes running through this play include male authoritative figures dominating female characters, and women feeling powerless and ignored. Belflower cleverly brings in other ways of being to her characters as the female students form a feminist club. Belflower hands the audience a modern-day version of the John Proctor character, in a manner of speaking. We see how a trusted male authority figure is not exactly what he seems to be. This production also shines a glaring light on how the #MeToo Movement has been seen from two different sides.
This play is about innocence lost, corruption winning out — or is it? When you see it, and I pray you do, you will be moved and appreciative of having such a brilliant, bold, unforgettable experience at a very relevant Broadway show.
This cast will have you jumping to your feet by the end of the 105-minute, no-intermission production. Sadie Sink is absolutely phenomenal, her energy is out-of-this-world as Shelby. She is a force to be reckoned with and has a marvelous stage presence. The other members of this cast are all on point.
Amalia Yoo is dynamic as Raelynn. She shows the different levels of emotion that the character experiences so vividly. Scenes that pair Sink and Yoo are absolutely stunning and moving. Gabriel Ebert is charming and engaging as the teacher Carter Smith. Playing the roles of the other students, we have Morgan Scott who delivers a feisty and memorable performance as Nell. Maggie Kuntz is memorable as Ivy, a teenager whose life is turned upside down, you have to see the play to find out why. Fina Strazza is versatile as Beth, she lets you see the characters innocence and vulnerability, while also trying to make a stand for females. Nihar Duvvuri is amusing as Mason. Hagan Oliveras does quite well as Lee, a high school teenager who just wants things to be the way they were between him and his ex-girlfriend. Molly Griggs is wonderful in the role of teacher Ms. Gallagher, who was raised in this town and who knows its secrets. “John Proctor is the Villain” will take you on an emotional rollercoaster that you will not forget! What an amazing piece of theater. Danya Taymor is a phenomenal director. Every scene pops as the intensity of the storyline builds up to an explosive ending. The technical aspects of this production are handled beautifully and include scenography by AMP featuring Teresa L. Williams; costume design by Sarah Laux, lighting design by Natasha Katz; sound design and original composition by Palmer Hefferan; projection design by Hannah Wasileski; hair & makeup design by J. Jared Janas and movement direction by Tilly Evans-Krueger. For tickets, visit johnproctoristhevillain.com.