Arthur Miller's The Crucible. (NY) Tickets

My husband loved it and I did not like it. The modern adaptation was a distraction, not an enhancement to the play. We both thought the acting was wonderful but there are way too many scenes where the actors speak with their backs to the audience. Seems to be a new trend in plays and one that neither of us like.

i saw view from the bridge. i get the director's interesting style. but this is one that should have been different. i mean it was different, but it was like view from the bridge. not bad, just more of the same. i've seen torn down opera before and this echoed that style. pretty good seats in row L but couldn't hear 1/3 of it due to poor actor projection and the director's choice to have actors talk to the back of the stage (which can be effective if you can hear them).

This production earned its place as the greatest theatre production I have ever watched. I have nothing negative to say. It just worked, and only improved towards the end. Absolutely riveting, The Crucible is a must-see

If you are down to watch the entire play, then this is for you. However, if you don't know the story, it will be difficult to watch. Also, its' It's hard to hear and to understand every word at times. It's three hours long with one 15 minute intermission. I feel the story could have been told in two hours. I also wondered why 21st century thermoses and cups were part of the set. I also found it odd that some people laughed at points in the story that were not meant to be comical. I think people didn't grasp the severity of the intolerance back then.

I would have gone to see this production on the strength of the cast alone, but this new production of Miller's HUAC-era play was unexpectedly powerful and moving. Stripped away from its colonial-era setting and instead acted against an industrial-institutional backdrop ("all we are is just another brick in the wall!"), the focus falls clearly on the two men and two women whose human frailties condemn them to tragic fates. Once again we are asked to question authority, blind belief, personal ethics, and the meaning of self-sacrifice in the face of genuine evil. It is heartbreaking that Miller's work is, once again, so timely. Ben Whishaw's brooding face is knotted with guilt, sadness and his inability to return his world to some semblance of reason. His struggle runs parallel, but does not intersect the suffering of his wife, played with intense, understated dignity by Sophie Okonedo. When they finally touch---much too late in the play to save each other----their mutual respect, despite their profound physical and emotional hurt, is riveting. Ciara Hinds, the most wonderful and uncelebrated actor of the past two decades, looks on with mocking disinterest, and Saoirse Ronan, whose vengeful wildcat instigated the chaos, watches the tragedy unfold, her face turned away, a sly, almost-smile on her face. "The Crucible" is required reading in many school districts, and too often the focus falls on issues of adultery and Puritan authority. This production moves beyond sexual desire to a desire to recover human dignity when societal authority, which one would assume exists to create and protect the dignity of the individual and the group, runs amok. I greatly enjoyed this play and recommend it strongly.

The acting (from both film and non-film actors alike) was excellent. I loved the story and how it was appropriate for its time (1953) and today. Although it was nearly 3 hours, the time flew by. Our seats offered good views, even though they were in the mezzanine.

The interpretation of this work by Belgian director was dark and intense which kept true to the book. Acting was amazing. I just wish there were more special effects for a Broadway show this is expected.

I felt the minimalist set design and fairly modern costumes confused the message of the Play. The setting was the Salem witch trials and it was difficult to reconcile actors in jackets/ties and children in school smocks with the concern for witchcraft in 17th century America. I understand the the effort to relate those times to current times but I felt it was distracting and frustrating. Having said that, I was mesmerized by the performances of the actors. Very professional and riveting performances. i rated the show 4 stars because of the acting!

The acting was extremely dry and the only one who seemed to be trying was John Proctor. Everyone else had no emotion whatsoever and it was extremely disappointing. Proctor's wife was portrayed by a black woman which made no sense according to the time period being that slavery was apparantly across the country and there was also a slave in the play. There were scenes that apparantly proved witch craft to be real even though it was a hoax. The fact that the whole play took place in a school room made absolutely no sense at all and was in fact extremely boring as well. I could say more but I would probably run out of room. The play and the actors were overrated to say the least.

The production was lackluster and we left at the intermission. In part modern dress in a play about witches doesn't work - but in general we found it long and dull.

staging the play in modern dress did help to make the production more contemporary. In the end I did not connect with the characters emotionally in spite of their earnest portrayals.

There must be a different play for middle schoolers - this was not similar to the one I acted in during seventh grade! Beautiful lighting conveys mysteries. Excellent costumes create the illusion of Salem and the McCarthy hearings. Profound acting conveys Miller's dark look at mass hysteria. A wonderful experience at the theater. Sexual content at the heart of the play makes it not good for seventh graders, however. But high schoolers and theater buffs should go.

The play, which retains its relevance for the current political climate, was ultimately rewarding, but was marred by an overly loud first act. One can get that the hysteria was rampant without having virtually everyone yelling their lines. Ironically, the overwrought emoting clouded some of the true emotions of the characters. Act 2 was more controlled, and allowed the superb performances to shine through, and redeemed the production.

This play was written as a rebuke to the McCarthy era hearings. The young girls claim there are witches in the town and they devil is at work. They're lying to cover up their mischief but gullible townspeople, the clergy, and the lawyers, all believe them. They make accusations against innocent people who are sentenced to death and there's no way to disprove their claims. However, in this production, there are supernatural things that do happen. One girl is seen levitating in a room by herself. There are other episodes like this which makes you wonder, "Is what they are saying true? Are there supernatural powers at work?" There shouldn't be anything supernatural occurring in the play - these things take away from the power of the mass hysteria based on fiction. 5 stars for the acting - 2 stars for the production

Honestly, this was my first broadway experience and I cannot wait to watch another one. The first half felt like it lasted 20 minutes I was just so captivated even though it was at least 1.5 hours in reality. Amazing how all actors stayed in character even when they were not speaking. I'd recommend to anyone who wants to see the real deal.

I loved this production of one of my all time favorite plays. It was thrilling to watch. I cried three times during this production. The cast, direction, set, costumes, were in a word inspired. Thank you for a surprising innovative evening of theatre.

One of the best shows we've seen, and that's saying a lot.

We go to the theatre often- more than once a week- and see some very good plays. This performance is one we will always remember. Fantastic

This was a fantastic experience. Not enjoyable, far too black for that but completely riveting and unforgettable. Mark you there is not much leg room

Saoirse Ronan's photo is on the poster, but Though wonderful as always she did not have a very big part. I remember the McCarthy hearings as a child, and the play is a needed reminder of what happens when power and authority go mad. The special effects are impressive. The Mezzanine seats have little leg room. I sat though the play with the tennis shoe of the guy behind me practically on My shoulder .