Arizona Curriculum Theater To Resurrect The Salem Witch Trials

Ever wanted to go back in time to witness some historical event? Arizona Curriculum Theater (ACT) will give you that chance. In March, the troupe will open a new original play based on the actual court transcripts from the Salem Witchcraft Trials. The play, called Salem:1692, will run every Friday and Saturday in March at 8:00 PM. Performances will take place at Soul Invictus, 1022 Grand Ave., Phoenix, AZ. 

"We think it's more accurate to call it an experience rather than a play," says James David Porter, writer of Salem:1692 and Artistic Director of ACT. "Salem:1692 will be more like actually being back in 1692 and witnessing the real trial of an accused witch," Porter says, "and you just don't see anything like this outside of Salem, Massachusetts."

Salem:1692 is the culmination of years of research by Porter into the witchcraft hysteria. "I lived in New England for more than three decades and made annual visits to Salem," Porter says. "I grew up fascinated with the story, and I always wondered how it could've happened. I suppose this is my chance to answer that question."

Porter promises his play will go for the realism. "It's going to be dark, gritty, emotional, and scary," he says. "No holds barred. We intend to make the audience feel what the people of Salem might have felt sitting in that meetinghouse more than three centuries ago. Their terror was real, and we want it to be real for our audience, too."

Exactly how does Porter intend to create that terror? "For that," Porter says,"you will have to buy a ticket." If past performance is any measure, you will want to secure your ticket quickly for Salem:1692. Last October, ACT produced a show called Poe based on the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe. It was a huge success garnering standing ovations, playing to sell-out crowds, and inspiring one reviewer to call the show, "mind-blowing," as well as, "masterful and breath-taking." (Julie Peterson, Curtains, Phoenix New Times, Friday, October 30, 2009.)

ACT is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing the arts to underfunded schools all over the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. ACT also produces shows for the public that are based on primary and secondary school curricula in subjects ranging from Literature to History.

For information: www.curriculumtheater.com

Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Call 1-888-343-4-ACT or visit www.curriculumtheater.com for tickets or information.