‘The Crucible’ to debut at Artists Theatre

Laguna Beach High School students Dylan DelPizzo-Howell and Elliot Glass have developed an original percussive score for the Park Avenue Players’ rendition of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” opening this weekend.

The play, which depicts the Salem witch trials, opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday inside the Artists Theatre.

Attendees will be able to sit on the stage and watch the play, which “explores inquisitional power, intolerance, ignorance, manipulation of fear and self-preservation,” according to a press release.

The play figures to strike a powerful tone, according to co-director Mark Dressler.

“We live in our own age of anxiety and these young actors have seen contemporary examples of paranoia, intolerance and injustice at work in the world,” Dressler said in a prepared statement. “They brought these observations to their roles and are delivering performances with stunning authenticity and great emotional power that will really connect with the audience, including their peers.”

Amanda Saunders helped Dressler direct the play. Erika Whalen is choreographer and assistant director, with Peter Roche as technical director. Angela Irish supervised costumes and props.

Performances are also scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 25, 30 and 31 and June 1; and 2:30 p.m. May 26 and June 2.

Admission is $10 for students and $15 for adults. For more information, call (949) 497-7769.