THE CRUCIBLE (1953 Broadway Production)

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 3:22am

The sixth Broadway incarnation of the Arthur Miller classic opens tonight, but 63 years ago it had its Premiere at the Martin Beck Theatre. 

The sets were by legend Boris Aronson.



The production photos are chilling and very vivid!








 

I know it was quite a long time ago, but did anyone see the original production?

Updated On: 3/31/16 at 03:22 AM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 5:26am

Well you know, Arthur Miller reportedly hated the original production (which opened to mostly negative reviews) - especially the direction by Jed Harris, and these scenic designs you posted pictures of, and a year into its run, he took over directing the play - threw out almost all the scenery and completely restaged it essentially on a bare stage. The production was re-reviewed and became a critical hit.

 

You can read about it here: https://books.google.com/books?id=TDpBNApwe50C&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=arthur+miller+directing+crucible+aronson&source=bl&ots=0PnOjwbI8n&sig=o9vNW-p1fX1JwCspm3PHfRovP3M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK8a3pzOrLAhXByIMKHcmtBs8Q6AEIOzAF#v=onepage&q=arthur%20miller%20directing%20crucible%20aronson&f=false

Updated On: 3/31/16 at 05:26 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 7:22am

This is one of my all time favorite plays. I am looking forward to this new production. Queen Alice is correct in that Miller hated the original production and it was reworked and it was in that reworked incarnation that it found success. I would really like to get my hands on a copy of the 1967 television version that's starred George C. Scott, Colleen Dewhurst, Tuesday Weld and Melvyn Douglas.

[daredevil]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 11:56am

Although Miller reworked the original production and added a scene between Abigail and John, to begin Act II, right before the trial scene, I don't think the play became a "hit" at that point. It closed shortly afterwards, and was not considered a success. In 1958, as the off Broadway movement was gaining steam, a production was presented at the Martinique theater, a theater space in a hotel on 32nd at sixth avenue; this production was as major critical success and ran for over a year. It was staged by Ward Baker (who a few years later would stage The Fantasticks), on a flat square space with the audience on all four sides. Very intimate. I remember seeing the production in August of 58 and being blown away by its power. Several people in it went on to major careers; one of the girls was played by Penny Fuller.  That production gave the play some credibility and gradually, over the years it took its place as a classic.

Updated On: 3/31/16 at 11:56 AM

[daredevil]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 12:02pm

the scene between Abigail and John that I mentioned in the previous post was in the 1958 version, but at some point Miler cut it---it added an extra dimension to Abigail--- I think at that point Miller wanted to create a little more sympathy for her, but as the years went by, Miller decided that the scene should be cut. In certain published versions I believe that one can find it in the Appendix.

Updated On: 3/31/16 at 12:02 PM

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 12:58pm

I've always been curious about the French language 1957 French-East German movie, co-scripted by Miller and Jean-Paul Sartre, which starred Simone Signoret as Elizabeth and Yves Montand as John, and was directed by Raymond Rouleau, who also played Danforth in it.

Has anyone seen it? 

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/31/16 at 1:09pm

Interesting to hear that Miller hated the OBC production, was completely unaware. Also didn't know it wasn't an immediate hit! The more you know