Miller’s ‘Crucible’ still timely

Tom Titus Independent

When Golden West College lifts the curtain Nov. 7 on Arthur Miller’s

drama “The Crucible,” it will be an anniversary celebration of sorts

-- it’s been 50 years since the still-living playwright created it,

and its message remains timely and vital.

“The Crucible,” written at the height of the McCarthy-communism

frenzy, was a thinly veiled attack on the House Un-American

Activities Committee -- even though it was set in the Salem, Mass.,

of 1692. The burning of witches more than 300 years ago played as an

uncomfortable parallel to the destruction of lives and careers under

the cover of government authority. Even then, McCarthy’s crusade was

vilified in some circles as a “witch hunt.”

“‘The Crucible’ is, in a sense, a modern morality play,” declares

Tom Amen, who’s directing the Golden West production. “While

operating as an allegorical warning on the evils of McCarthyism, the

play aggressively attacks any society where intolerance, persecution

and fear are used to buy silence, suppress truth, restrict freedom

and crush the dignity of the individual human spirit.

“In this respect,” Amen observes, “the play remains a very potent

and powerful piece of American theater.”

Miller’s drama -- which ranks with “Death of a Salesman” and “All

My Sons” as one of his finest achievements -- opened in New York in

1953 and was widely praised by both critics and playgoers. It went on

to become one of the most successful productions of the season, and

has become Miller’s most frequently produced play, both in this

country and abroad.

Even without its link to the Cold War in the 1950s, “The Crucible”

is a compelling piece of historical fiction. It is based on actual

events that took place in Massachusetts during the spring and fall of

1692, and presents a challenge for its actors as it employs the

difficult old English dialogue of the period (having played the chief

inquisitor in an Orange Coast College production of the play nearly

10 years ago, I can testify to its tongue-twisting challenges).

“The play is not reportage,” Miller has said. “What I was doing

was writing a fictional story about an important theme.”

According to GWC director Amen, that theme was guilt by

association, and the similarity between the incidents in 1692 Salem

and the climate in Washington, D.C. in 1953 when Sen. Joseph McCarthy

and the HUAC were conducting hearings with the objective of rooting

out possible Communists and Communist sympathizers.

“In the process,” Amen says, “careers were ruined and lives were

destroyed.”

In 1956, Miller himself was called before the HUAC, where he was

pressured to “name names.” He refused, and was convicted of contempt

of Congress.

“The role of the writer,” Amen believes, “is to raise questions,

challenge authority and, as American writer Edward Abbey said, ‘to

unfold the folded lie.’ If a writer is successful in this pursuit,

then he is able to effectively illuminate the society in which he

lives and, occasionally, act as a catalyst for positive change.

“Throughout his career, Arthur Miller has demonstrated the courage

and intense personal conviction of a man deeply committed to the

illumination of our society,” Amen declares. “It is this courage and

conviction that is responsible for plays like ‘The Crucible’.”

Golden West College’s production of “The Crucible” will open Nov.

7 and will play through Nov. 23 in the Huntington Beach college’s

Mainstage Theater. Advance reservations may be acquired by calling

the box office at (714) 895-8150.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Independent.