By Sarah Schultz

Hang Fire Productions boldly tackles Arthur Miller‘s The Crucible for their inaugural work at the historic Mounds Theatre.

This familiar classic begins out of sight. The house goes dark and homophonic chanting sweeps over the audience as the cast processes in from the back of the theater. This choreography by Jacob Hermann sets an ancient, eerie tone.

Steve Larson‘s sound design builds on the menacing mood established in the opening sequence. Raspy breaths grate almost imperceptibly. They build slowly and steadily along with the dialogue, then cut out abruptly, leaving the audience and actors in jarring silence.

By act two, the ensemble of girls completely sync up. They move, mumble, and wail as if possessed by the same precise puppet master. Dressed all in white with rippling gowns and shrouded heads, the empty-eyed girls paint a haunting picture.

The show ends with a bleak and chilling practical effect. Black flakes fall from above as Goody Nurse and John Procter are marched to their deaths. The “ash” clings to the actor’s faces and costumes. It lingers and drifts until the stage goes black.

The combined talents of this cast and crew produce somber and powerful production of The Crucible.

The remaining Crucible performances are July 6th (7:30pm), 7th (7:30pm), and 8th (2:30 & 7:30). Mounds Theatre is located at 1029 Hudson Rd, Saint Paul MN, 55106. Buy tickets here.