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JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN is gaining a lot of buzz as it is opening on Broadway in March. Come see our local production of it directed by guest artist Kimberly Ridgeway!

A high school English class is studying The Crucible, but with a contemporary lens, the students begin to question the play’s perspective and the validity of naming John Proctor the show’s hero. As they delve into the American classic, they become more preoccupied with navigating feminism, young love, sex ed, and a few school scandals. Deeply passionate, touching and bitingly funny, this new comedy captures a generation in mid-transformation, running on pop music, optimism, and fury, amidst a coming-of-age story.

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High school counselors or theatre instructors, please contact Tara Sundy at tms8@stmarys-ca.edu or (925) 631-4670 to book a field trip. A limited number of free tickets are available to prospective students and their chaperoning instructors.

Guest parking is available in the Soda Center lots across the street by texting "PAY" to 77447, followed by the zone number "SMC" at 50 cents per hour.

PRESS RELEASE:

The Saint Mary's College Theatre Program is proud to announce our upcoming production of John Proctor is the Villain, opening here at Saint Mary’s College just two weeks after its Broadway debut. “We are so proud to be part of this play's journey. Playwright Kimberly Bellflower wrote the script during the first Trump administration, and it soon attracted momentum, being performed by numerous high schools and colleges across the country. We were lucky enough at SMC to secure the performance rights before the Broadway production was planned,” Theatre Program Director Deanna Zibello (she/her) said. Performances will be in LeFevre Theatre from Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, April 27.

Distinguished Bay Area performer, playwright and director  (she/her) helms the Saint Mary’s production. She praised Bellflower’s script: “Bellflower skillfully represents teenage vernacular, issues, angst and innocence, while also capturing the humanity in every single character. This play is extremely relevant in its raw, unapologetic, and sometimes uncomfortable way of highlighting the issues women and girls face, while exposing how they are not always supported…or believed.” The script follows a high school English class reading Arthur Miller’s The Crucible. As they delve into the American classic, the students begin to question the conventional wisdom that John Proctor is the play’s hero. At the same time, the #MeToo movement exposes a few school scandals, and ultimately the young women find solace and support in one another. Deeply passionate, touching and bitingly funny, this new comedy captures a generation in mid-transformation, running on pop music, optimism, and fury, amidst a coming-of-age story.

The all-student ensemble features senior Roya Amirsheybani (she/her) as the dramatic and fiery Shelby, a student returning to school after a mysterious months-long absence. Junior Erin Colville (she/her) plays Raelynn, Shelby’s former best friend who is nursing a grudge. Sophomore Erin Brady (she/her) plays the studious Beth; Junior Melody Ng (she/her) plays the loyal Ivy; and sophomore Olivia Burke (she/her) plays Nell, a “new kid” in town, recently moved from the big city. Senior Connor McGilvray (he/him) as Lee and first-year Aidan Kiernan (he/him) as Mason play their sometimes-oblivious classmates and love interests. Junior Carolyn Gersten (she/her) plays Ms. Gallagher, the empathetic young guidance counselor. Rounding out the ensemble are Ainsley Harada (she/her), Bianca Langlois (she/her), and Lance Fiss (he/him), as classmates, ensemble members, and understudies. In a featured role, junior Ashton Medick (he/him) plays the smart, engaging, and perceptive Mr. Smith, the most popular teacher at the school. Senior Ka’Nayah Landers-Daniels (she/her) serves as the Stage Manager, the backstage leader and unsung hero of every production. The students’ majors range from Theatre: Performance and Theatre Studies to Justice, Community and Leadership, to Media Production, Politics, Finance, and Computer Science. 

Director Ridgeway continued, “I fully expect, and encourage, that the conversations will continue long after experiencing Bellflower’s commentary on the classic, beloved play that is The Crucible, and its parallels and problematic plot points as seen through today’s lens.”

A limited number of tickets are available at the Box Office 30 minutes before curtain via cash/check only.