JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN Reviews- Page 2

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 12:03am

There's so many well-reviewed new plays this year. English, The Hills of California, John Proctor, Oh Mary and Purpose were all very well received and could easily be the five nominees but that's not counting something like Stranger Things or Dorian Gray getting in on the back of its technical achievement (like Harry Potter in 2018)

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 7:38am

DTLI Consensus: A-pluses all around as a talented ensemble cast and Kimberly Belflower slam the patriarchy. 

17 positive (including the NYT), 3 mixed, 1 negative.

https://didtheylikeit.com/shows/john-proctor-is-the-villain/

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 8:16am

Our five is set. I’d say Oh Mary is the front runner since it’s turned into a massive hit. However, the audience reaction to this when I went was euphoric at the end so I think it could compete. 

Definitely expecting acting noms outside of Sink now or unexpected nominations somewhere else. 

Nice to see some of the ST cast there as well. 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 9:22am

Mr. Wormwood said: "There's so many well-reviewed new plays this year. English, The Hills of California, John Proctor, Oh, Mary!, and Purpose were all very well received and could easily be the five nominees but that's not counting something like Stranger Things or Dorian Gray getting in on the back of its technical achievement (like Harry Potter in 2018)"

Maybe. Although I can see a case where Stranger Things follows a similar trajectory to Network and Life of Pi where nominators recognize what a technical achievement it is, but question whether or not if it's even the best play. Dorian Gray could probably also follow The Audience and Prima Facie where it's only really recognized for the performances and design elements, but not as much the play itself.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 11:46am

Has anyone seen it in NYC and DC who can comment on how it has changed?  The consistent raves this has received surprise me given the relative ho-hum nature of the Studio Theatre production I saw.  Casting certainly can elevate material, but I'm wondering if there are other factors in play.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 5:14pm

SteveSanders said: "Has anyone seen it in NYC and DC who can comment on how it has changed? The consistent raves this has received surprise me given the relative ho-hum nature of the Studio Theatre production I saw. Casting certainly can elevate material, but I'm wondering if there are other factors in play."

Did not see the DC production but I’d imagine direction would be a huge factor. Marti Lyons directed the production in DC and I remember she managed to suck life out of The Wolves, so I’m not sure she’d be the best for John Proctor either. 
 

Pacing, humor, contrast—little things like that can make a difference in a play like this feeling heavy and preachy vs lively, youthful, relatable (which Danya Taylor seems to be good at). 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/15/25 at 5:39pm

MemorableUserName said: "The Wrap: Hofler is typically negative

‘John Proctor Is the Villain’ Broadway Review: Sadie Sink Deconstructs ‘The Crucible’

The “Stranger Things” star returns to the stage in yet another play about white male toxicity

https://www.thewrap.com/john-proctor-is-the-villain-broadway-review-sadie-sink/

"

As a critic, I sometimes wonder if playwrights ever go to the theater. If they did, they would know that contemporary plays are replete with strong female characters and it is equally replete with villains who are invariably white, straight and male. I’ve written that sentence almost as much as I’ve written that playwrights invariably cast journalists as villains (who are often white, straight and male) in their plays and musicals.

Ebert’s white, straight and male teacher is probably the most charming of that growing, crowded field of villainous characters. Watching “John Proctor,” I was reminded of Pauline Kael’s review of the film version of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” and how Maggie Smith’s character is a fascist but she’s also the only interesting teacher at the school.

Ditto Ebert’s teacher. Ebert delivers this production’s only compelling performance, and when he leaves the stage, I could only wait for his theatrical toxicity to return to give me something to watch.""

Robert Hofler is an extremely bitter failed writer whose books never sold and he has nothing but contempt for anyone younger than him receiving any modicum of success. The Wrap should not be giving this toxic fool a platform on which to spew his venom. No surprise at all that his was the only negative review. 

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/16/25 at 6:09pm

“A Critic Misses the Point: A Response to Robert Hofler’s Take on 'John Proctor is the Villain”

https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2025/4/16/a-critic-misses-the-point

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 4/16/25 at 9:14pm

Matt Rogers said: "MemorableUserName said: "The Wrap: Hofler is typically negative

‘John Proctor Is the Villain’ Broadway Review: Sadie Sink Deconstructs ‘The Crucible’

The “Stranger Things” star returns to the stage in yet another play about white male toxicity

https://www.thewrap.com/john-proctor-is-the-villain-broadway-review-sadie-sink/

"

As a critic, I sometimes wonder if playwrights ever go to the theater. If they did, they would know that contemporary plays are replete with strong female characters and it is equally replete with villains who are invariably white, straight and male. I’ve written that sentence almost as much as I’ve written that playwrights invariably cast journalists as villains (who are often white, straight and male) in their plays and musicals.

Ebert’s white, straight and male teacher is probably the most charming of that growing, crowded field of villainous characters. Watching “John Proctor,” I was reminded of Pauline Kael’s review of the film version of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie,” and how Maggie Smith’s character is a fascist but she’s also the only interesting teacher at the school.

Ditto Ebert’s teacher. Ebert delivers this production’s only compelling performance, and when he leaves the stage, I could only wait for his theatrical toxicity to return to give me something to watch.""

Robert Hofler is an extremely bitter failed writer whose books never sold and he has nothing but contempt for anyone younger than him receiving any modicum of success. The Wrap should not be giving this toxic fool a platform on which to spew his venom. No surprise at all that his was the only negative review."

A mediocre critic being very snarky and bitter about someone named "Ebert" is a little on the nose.

The Wrap has some great film critics - why is their theatre critic like this?

[TarHeelAlan]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 11:08am

Seeing a Sunday matinee of Proctor mid-June. Telecharge says run time is 1:45. If you've seen the show, can you please tell me when it actually lets out? I'm hoping to make a beeline up to the Frick right after the show with a reasonable amount of time to enjoy its offerings before it closes at 6pm. 

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 5/26/25 at 12:36pm

It was definitely closer to 2 hours. I think my performance started 5 or so minutes late. 

[THDavis]

Posted: 5/29/25 at 8:45am

Looking at my texts leaving the theatre, I attest that it had to have been almost at two hours (but don’t know for certain). 

GREAT show! One of the beautiful things about theatre (and the arts) is that, while I am not necessarily the target audience for that show, I began thinking of a friend of mine in high school who had a strangely close relationship with a male teacher while her parents were going through their affair/divorce. Others said it was inappropriate, whereas I normalized it because “I knew the teacher”. 
 

Anyway, what a wonderful show with excellent performances. I had no pre-existing knowledge of this show or the cast, but my eyes were immediately fixated on Fina Strazza from the moment the lights went up. If she doesn’t win the Tony… WOW!

I enjoyed myself very much and hope it enters the repertoire of American theatre that’s regularly produced around the country so more people like me stumble in and have their 

[yyys]

Posted: 5/29/25 at 1:16pm

I attended a 1 PM saturday matinee and the time stamp on my curtain call pic is 2:57 pm.

TarHeelAlan said: "Seeing a Sunday matinee of Proctor mid-June. Telecharge says run time is 1:45. If you'veseen the show, can you please tell me when it actually lets out?I'm hoping to make a beeline up to the Frick right after the show with a reasonableamount of timeto enjoy its offerings before it closes at 6pm."

 

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/29/25 at 1:26pm

I saw it last Wednesday. 7pm curtain, which started 7-10 minutes late, as per usual. I was on the street by 8:55. It's a very well paced and engaging production -- I never looked at my watch once.

[TarHeelAlan]

Posted: 5/29/25 at 3:34pm

Thanks to all for your info about the run time. Looks like I can count on a 4pm finish before heading to the Frick. Hopefully uptown Sunday traffic will cooperate!

[MezzA101]

Posted: 5/29/25 at 3:48pm

Sadie Sink on Returning to Broadway in 'John Proctor Is the Villain'

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/sadie-sink-tony-nomination-stranger-things-1236232501/

[Lot666]

Posted: 5/31/25 at 4:40pm

I'm looking at a few dates in early July, and I see that the first four rows of center orchestra are $179, and the fifth row jumps up to $399. If anyone knows why this is, might they be so kind as to explain? Thanks!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/31/25 at 5:02pm

THDavis said: "my eyes were immediately fixated on Fina Strazza from the moment the lights went up. If she doesn’t win the Tony… WOW!"

She's amazing and it would be a deserving win.

Kinda shocked she is nominated in Featured and Sink is nominated in Lead.

[SteveSanders]

Posted: 6/2/25 at 8:22pm

Gift link for NYT Opinion piece on the play: "Why Women Are Leaving This Broadway Show in Tears."

Don't read if you plan on seeing it as it gos into a lot of detail.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/02/opinion/broadway-play-metoo.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ME8.rrtP.2Uyy24AYrq9h&smid=url-share

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 6/5/25 at 10:20am

Now extended to August 31; Sadie Sink will play her final performance on July 13. 

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 6/5/25 at 10:30am

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "THDavis said: "my eyes were immediately fixated on Fina Strazza from the moment the lights went up. If she doesn’t win the Tony… WOW!"

She's amazing and it would be a deserving win.

Kinda shocked she is nominated in Featured and Sink is nominated in Lead."

 

It's only because the show has been marketed around Sink to sell tickets and she's above the title. Moving her to featured might have pushed her out of any chance of a Tony nomination since Strazza and Yoo are outshining her, but she had a decent chance of a nomination in lead, so they kept her there--which worked in her favor. 

 

The show is an ensemble piece, but if there's any lead, it's definitely Beth. She has the character arc in the show that follows it's theme most closely, and it's kind of given an exclamation point with the final moment of the show (which is not a directorial choice--it is a textual piece of the story baked into the play).

 

[pupscotch]

Posted: 6/5/25 at 10:31am

Wonder if they have another celebrity name lined up to replace her or if they’re going to make a go of it just with strong word of mouth. I have to think a lot of young celebrity actresses would be interested in this play, especially if the run would just be six weeks, but not sure who fits the right age demographic, everyone that pops into my head feels a bit too old.

[theatergoer3]

Posted: 6/5/25 at 11:12am

Not surprised on both counts and this seemingly confirms Sink is joining the MCU. I think the play has enough buzz to hang on but it’s a good part so they could get someone to hop in for a month an a half. 

[Jarethan]

Posted: 6/6/25 at 7:51pm

Loved!  Loved!  Loved it!

Of everything I saw this trip, this is the only new show that i loved.  (I saw SB and Oh Mary for second times and loved both), but this was the only new show I loved.

I plan to re-read The Crucible (which I have previously read and have seen several times) because I want to take another look to see if Proctor was quite the predator that this play needs him to be for the premise to be airtight.  As I remembered it, Proctor was a flawed man who allowed himself to be seduced by Abagail, who was clearly still a minor by today's definition; in this play the teacher is clearly a predator and is always looking for the next student to groom).  slight difference, at least to me.

Regardless of the conclusion I reach, this is just brilliant writing, with brilliant direction to accompany it.

Sophie Sink was excellent in what was essentially a slightly larger ensemble performance.  Several of the other classmates gave wonderful performance, but I cannot remember their names to single them out. 

If you have not seen this yet and are on the fence, see it.  It is probably the most thought provoking play I have seen since Slave Play, which -- as I type this -- is about as divisive a play as has appeared on Broadway in about 'a thousand years.'  But go!!

[kdogg36]

Posted: 6/6/25 at 9:25pm

Jarethan said: "I plan to re-read The Crucible (which I have previously read and have seen several times) because I want to take another look to see if Proctor was quite the predator that this play needs him to be for the premise to be airtight. As I remembered it, Proctor was a flawed man who allowed himself to be seduced by Abagail, who was clearly still a minor by today's definition; in this play the teacher is clearly a predator and is always looking for the next student to groom). slight difference, at least to me."

I read The Crucible in preparation for seeing John Proctor is the Villain, and I think all of the points made in the show are valid. You're right that we don't have any reason to believe that Proctor is a serial predator, but Abigail was indeed not only a minor, but his servant with very little power over the situation. After the affair, he is practically prostrate with contrition for what he did to his wife, but shows no remorse whatsoever for what he did to Abigail, and is committed to destroying her to save his wife.

I fully recognize that Arthur Miller was writing a play about standing up for truth when the world is going mad with lies, not one about sexual assault. I can read it the way Miller intended while still also seeing how correct the young women in the new play are, from their own perspective.

Finally, I agree that this was the best thing I saw on Broadway all season, and there were a lot of shows that I liked!

Updated On: 6/6/25 at 09:25 PM