San Diego Unseen: An Urban Portrait
John Proctor (Sean Cox) has some news for his paramour Abigail Williams (Callie Prendville), and she senses it's not good.
- Photo by Daren Scott
No wonder Arthur Miller’s The Crucible reads and looks like a political thriller. The classic dramatization of the Salem witch trials is meant as an allegory to a 20th-century witch hunt—Sen. Joe McCarthy’s hearings involving thousands of Americans (eventually including Miller) under scrutiny for their alleged Russian communist ties. MOXIE Theatre and Intrepid Shakespeare Company are giving the script a whirl right now—and just as McCarthyism left a huge impact on American political culture, so too will this show make its mark on you. Five young women claim to have been visited by the Devil; from there, the Massachusetts Bay town of Salem is gripped in hysteria as its paranoid officials mete out jailings and hangings amid charges of witchcraft. At the center is embattled farmer John Proctor (Sean Cox), whose single adulterous affair trumps his lifelong devotion to duty in the eyes of the courts—and Cox is peerless as the all-too-human figure who stands by the courage of his convictions. Lisel Gorell-Getz shines with her splendidly underplayed Elizabeth Proctor, John’s wife. Directors Christy Yael and Jennifer thorn have mounted the most captivating piece of high drama to grace The Rolando Theatre in seven seasons by virtue of its phenomenal culture of ensemble—19 actors display a thorough understanding of the script and their assignments within it. Marvelous! Through Dec. 5 at the Rolando Theatre in the College Area. $20. moxietheatre.com, intrepidshakespeare.com
Opening
Actos: Three Luis Valdez satires illustrate the plight of farm workers and misplaced cultural identities. Produced by the Visual and Performing Arts Department of CSU, San Marcos, it opens Nov. 11 at Arts 111 of the CSUSM campus. $5-$10. csusm.edu/communications
Kasimir and Karoline: As the Third Reich jockeys for position in 1930s Germany, Kasimir and Karoline align with the world’s most dangerously manipulative power—love. Produced by the UCSD Department of Theatre and Dance, it opens Nov. 12 at the Theodore and Adele Shank Theatre on the UCSD campus. $8-$20. theatre.ucsd.edu
Deathtrap: How far will somebody go to pass off a hit play as his own? Opens Nov. 13 at the Legler Benbough Theatre on the campus of Alliant international University in Scripps Ranch. $10-$22. scrippsranchtheatre.org
Machinal: As humdrum Helen begins to discover her own wants and needs, her life takes a turn toward the unthinkable. Opens Nov. 13 at the MiraCosta College Theatre in Oceanside. $8-$12. miracosta.cc.ca.us
Ruined: A Congolese entrepreneur runs a canteen where soldiers can meet up with women (for a price) as war looms. Opens in previews Nov. 16 at the Mandell Weiss Theatre in La Jolla. $31-$66. lajollaplayhouse.org
Now Playing
Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka: Charlie and his friends get a tour of a mysterious candyman’s chocolate factory. Produced by San Diego Junior Theatre, it runs through Nov. 14 at the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park. $8-$14. juniortheatre.com
The Glory Man: Clarence Jordan, author of The Cotton Patch Gospels, founds Habitat for Humanity in the Deep South of the 1950s. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through Nov. 14 at The Ione and Paul Harter Stage, 1142 Orange Ave. in Coronado. $28-$58. lambsplayers.org
The Winter’s Tale: Blind jealousy leads King Leontes to lose everything he holds dear. A joint production of The Old Globe Theatre and the University of San Diego’s theater MFA program, it runs through Nov. 14 at The Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre in Balboa Park. $19. oldglobe.org
* Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The genteel Henry Jekyll whips up a potion that turns him into the cantankerous Edward Hyde, and a deadly game of cat and mouse ensues. Produced by Ion Theatre Company, it runs through Nov. 20 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn in Hillcrest. $21-$25. iontheatre.com
The Spitfire Grill: A feisty parolee follows her dreams to a small town in Wisconsin and finds a place for herself working at Hannah’s grill, which she raffles off. Through Nov. 20 at The Poway Performing Arts Company in Poway. $15- $17. powpac.org
* True West: Two estranged brothers reverse roles in their lives, with near death the result. Produced by Lotus Theatre, it runs through Nov. 20 at Urban Grind coffeehouse in Hillcrest. $15. lotustheatrestory.com
* Anita Bryant Died for Your Sins: Horace Poore comes to terms with his sexuality during some pretty serious events of the 1970s. Through Nov. 21 at Diversionary Theatre in University Heights. $31-$33. diversionary.com
* miXtape: Life was just beginning for Generation X in this musical look at the 1980s. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through Nov. 21 at The Horton Grand Theatre, Downtown. $28-$58. lambsplayers.org
The Rocky Horror Show: Janet and Brad blow a tire and come across a madman with an evil plan for the galaxy. Through Nov. 27 at OnStage Playhouse in Chula Vista. $20. onstageplayhouse.org
Bram Stoker’s Dracula: The Big Guy finds himself in a frantic search for the human blood that means the difference between life and death. Through Nov. 28 at The Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way in Coronado. $18-$25. coronadoplayhouse.com
Shotgun Wedding Anniversary: What happens after 25 years in a less-than-blissful marriage? For Basil and Petals, it can mean murder. Through Dec. 24 at Mystery Cafe, in the Imperial House restaurant in Bankers Hill. $59.50, including dinner. mysterycafe.net
