John Proctor Is the Villain
| John Proctor is the Villain | |
|---|---|
 Broadway Promotional Poster | |
| Written by | Kimberly Belflower |
| Date premiered | April 27, 2022 |
| Place premiered | Studio Theatre, Washington D.C. |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Dramedy |
| Setting | Rural Georgia, 2018. |
John Proctor is the Villain is a stage play written by American playwright Kimberly Belflower. The play is a revisionist take on the American classic play The Crucible by Arthur Miller, centering on a group of modern-day high school students and their interpretation of the historical events the play is based on.[1]
Summary
[edit]John Proctor is the Villain is set in a high-school classroom in a small, rural Georgia town in 2018.[2] Carter Smith is the English teacher for several 11th-graders—the straight-A student Beth, the new transfer student Nell, the wealthy girl Ivy, the pastor's daughter Raelynn, the slightly awkward Mason, and Raelynn's boyfriend Lee.[3][4][5] Mr. Smith assigns the students the play The Crucible, the protagonist of which is John Proctor, who was convicted of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials.[3][5] Beth forms the school's feminist club, with Mr. Smith as its sponsor.[5] Tensions rise when Raelynn's estranged friend Shelby returns to school after a prolonged absence.[4][2] During the semester, Ivy's father is accused of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement,[5] a source of controversy in the small town.[2] Lee tries to repair his relationship with Raelynn (having cheated on her with Shelby).[3] Miss Gallagher, the school's guidance counselor, mediates various issues between Mr. Smith and the students.[5] In a tense class period, Shelby admits to everyone that she had been having sexual intercourse with Mr. Smith. Raelynn and Shelby eventually repair their relationship, taking a day off from school to meet at a gas station.[5]
John Proctor is the Villain includes several songs by pop artists such as Lorde and Taylor Swift.[5] In some productions, these songs are performed in between scenes, as well as before the first scene and during the last scene.[6] The Broadway production used ominous sounds and flickering lights to denote the transitions between each scene.[7][8] Belflower received permission to use excerpts from The Crucible from Arthur Miller's estate.[4][9]
Notable casts
[edit]| Character | Washington D.C. | Boston | Broadway |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2024 | 2025 | |
| Mr. Carter Smith | Dave Register | Japhet Balaban | Gabriel Ebert |
| Miss Bailey Gallagher | Lida Maria Benson | Olivia Hebert | Molly Griggs |
| Beth Powell | Miranda Rizzolo | Jules Talbot | Fina Strazza |
| Nell Shaw | Deidre Staples | Victoria Omoregie | Morgan Scott |
| Ivy Watkins | Resa Mishina | Brianna Martinez | Maggie Kuntz |
| Raelynn Nix | Jordan Slattery | Haley Wong | Amalia Yoo |
| Mason Adams | Ignacio Diaz-Silverio | Maanav Aryan Goyal | Nihar Duvvuri |
| Lee Turner | Zachary Keller | Benjamin Izaak | Hagan Oliveras |
| Shelby Holcomb | Juliana Sass | Isabel Van Natta | Sadie Sink |
Production history
[edit]
Washington, D.C. (2022)
[edit]The play was originally commissioned by The Farm Theater for their College Collaboration Project and first workshopped in 2018 and 2019 at three colleges within their theatre departments: Centre College in Danville, Kentucky,[10] Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina,[11] and Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.
The final version of the play was first produced by the Studio Theatre in Washington D.C in 2022, running from April 27 until June 5, directed by Marti Lyons.[12]
Boston (2024)
[edit]In 2024, another production was staged at the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, running from February 8 until March 10, directed by Margot Bordelon.[13] The Boston production was nominated for six Elliot Norton Awards, winning Outstanding Play, Large and Outstanding Ensemble.
Broadway (2025)
[edit]The play premiered on Broadway in 2025, directed by Danya Taymor and starring Sadie Sink. Previews began on March 20, 2025, with an opening date of April 14, 2025 at the Booth Theatre.[14] The show opened to positive reviews and received seven Tony Award nominations, including Best Play.[15] Before the play officially opened, its run was extended by two weeks to July 6,[16] then by another week to July 13.[16][17] That June, the play's run was extended again to August 31,[18] with Chiara Aurelia replacing Sink in the role of Shelby Holcomb after July 13.[19][20]
Reception
[edit]Of the Broadway production, New York Times theatre critic Jesse Green wrote that Belflower "smartly keeps the play from becoming a polemic by moving on several tracks at once" by combining such elements as "pure high school comedy", pop music, and feminist interpretations of classic works.[4] Reviewers for AmNewYork and Vulture wrote that John Proctor Is the Villain was particularly relevant during the second U.S. presidency of Donald Trump, during which references to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were being discouraged by the U.S. government.[3][21] A reviewer for Variety wrote that John Proctor Is the Villain interpreted The Crucible through a feminist lens, "demonstrating the power of feminine solidarity and rage",[5] a sentiment shared by an Entertainment Weekly critic.[7] Another reviewer for The Hollywood Reporter called the storyline "a poignant story of girlhood and empowering friendships".[2] Conversely, a writer for TheWrap described the short scenes as characteristic of novice playwrights,[8] and a New York Daily News writer said: "I wish "John Proctor" made its very fair point about girls forging their own narratives with more ambivalence and less certitude."[22]
Awards and nominations
[edit]2023 Original production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Helen Hayes Awards | Outstanding Production in a Play | John Proctor is the Villain | Won | [23][24] |
| Outstanding Ensemble in a Play | Cast of John Proctor is the Villain | Won | |||
| Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding New Play or Musical | Kimberly Belflower | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play | Juliana Sass | Nominated | |||
| Jordan Slattery | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Play | Ignacio Diaz-Silverio | Nominated | |||
| Deidre Staples | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Direction in a Play | Marti Lyons | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Jesse Belsky | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Set Design | Luciana Stecconi | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Kathy Ruvuna | Nominated |
2024 Boston production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Elliot Norton Awards | Outstanding Play | John Proctor is the Villain | Won | [25] [26] |
| Outstanding Ensemble | Cast of John Proctor is the Villain | Won | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Jules Talbot | Nominated | |||
| Isabel Van Natta | Nominated | ||||
| Haley Wong | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Director | Margot Bordelon | Nominated |
2025 Broadway production
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Tony Awards | Best Play | Kimberly Belflower | Nominated | [15] |
| Best Actress in a Play | Sadie Sink | Nominated | |||
| Best Featured Actress in a Play | Fina Strazza | Nominated | |||
| Best Featured Actor in a Play | Gabriel Ebert | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction of a Play | Danya Taymor | Nominated | |||
| Best Lighting Design of a Play | Natasha Katz and Hannah Wasileski | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound Design of a Play | Palmer Hefferan | Nominated | |||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Kimberly Belflower | Nominated | [27] | |
| Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play | Amalia Yoo | Won | |||
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Danya Taymor | Won | |||
| Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play | Natasha Katz | Nominated | |||
| Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | John Proctor is the Villain | Nominated | [28] | |
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Danya Taymor | Nominated | |||
| Dorian Awards | Outstanding Broadway Play | John Proctor is the Villain | Won | [29] | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway Play | Sadie Sink | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Play | Fina Strazza | Won | |||
| Amalia Yoo | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Broadway Ensemble | Ensemble | Won | |||
| Broadway Showstopper Award | "Green Light" dance sequence | Nominated | |||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding New Broadway Play | John Proctor is the Villain | Won | [30] | |
| Outstanding Direction of a Play | Danya Taymor | Won |
Film adaptation
[edit]On July 18, 2025, it was announced that after successfully outbidding other studios for the rights, Universal Pictures will turn the play into a feature film, with Belflower penning the screenplay and Sadie Sink returning as an executive producer. Producing the film are Tina Fey, Eric Gurian, Marc Platt, Adam Siegel and Jared LeBoff.[31]
References
[edit]- ^ SpotCo. "Cast". JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN | Official Broadway Website. Retrieved March 16, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Gyarkye, Lovia (April 15, 2025). "'John Proctor Is the Villain' Review: Sadie Sink Makes an Exciting Broadway Return in a Sharp and Funny Re-Interpretation of 'The Crucible'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Holdren, Sara (April 15, 2025). "A Crucible of Teen Drama: John Proctor Is the Villain". Vulture. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Green, Jesse (April 15, 2025). "Review: In 'John Proctor Is the Villain,' It's the Girls vs. the Men". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lewis, Christian (April 15, 2025). "'John Proctor Is the Villain' Review: Broadway Play Is a Powerful, Pop-Inflected Retort to 'The Crucible'". Variety. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Milzoff, Rebecca (June 5, 2025). "In Broadway's 'John Proctor Is the Villain,' Lorde, Taylor Swift & Pop Music Have Starring Roles". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Travis, Emlyn (April 14, 2025). "Sadie Sink and 'John Proctor Is the Villain' cast shine in 'Crucible'-inspired play". EW.com. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ a b Hofler, Robert (April 15, 2025). "'John Proctor Is the Villain' Broadway Review: Sadie Sink Deconstructs 'The Crucible'". TheWrap. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Dramatists.com John Proctor is the Villain licensing accessed 10/20/2024
- ^ Goff, Jennifer. "John Proctor is the Villain". Centre College. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ Underwood, Tina (October 18, 2024). "Furman Theatre collaboration with Belflower to hit Broadway". Furman News. Furman University. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
- ^ "John Proctor is the Villain". Playbill. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Huntington Theatre Company John Proctor accessed 10/20/2024
- ^ Evans, Greg (October 17, 2024). "'Stranger Things' Actor Sadie Sink To Star In Broadway Comedy 'John Proctor Is The Villain'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ a b "2025 Tony Awards: 'Buena Vista Social Club,' 'Death Becomes Her,' 'Maybe Happy Ending' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ a b Hall, Margaret (May 27, 2025). "John Proctor is the Villain Extends Broadway Run". Playbill. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Chachowski, Richard (May 27, 2025). "Popular Tony-Nominated Broadway Play Receives Summer Extension". Parade. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Hall, Margaret (June 5, 2025). "John Proctor is the Villain Extends Broadway Run Through Summer". Playbill. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan; Hall, Margaret (June 12, 2025). "Chiara Aurelia Will Join Broadway's John Proctor is the Villain". Playbill. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Russo, Gillian (June 12, 2025). "Chiara Aurelia to join 'John Proctor Is the Villain' Broadway cast". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Windman, Matt (April 14, 2025). "John Proctor is the Villain: Salem's hero gets #MeToo'd". amNewYork. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Chris (April 15, 2025). "BROADWAY REVIEW: 'John Proctor is the Villain' with Sadie Sink is lively if predictable drama". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ^ Marloff, Sarah (January 31, 2023). "And the Nominees for the 2023 Helen Hayes Awards Are..." Washington City Paper. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Theatre Washington celebrates 2023 Helen Hayes Awards". DC Theater Arts. May 23, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ Boston Theater Critics Association. "The 41st Annual Elliot Norton Awards" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ Sinclair, Jacquinn (May 20, 2024). "The Huntington and Reagle Music Theatre win big at Elliot Norton Awards". WBUR. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ^ "2024-2025 Drama Desk Awards nominations announce". NY1. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 16, 2025). "Nicole Scherzinger Wins Distinguished Performance at 2025 Drama League Awards; Read the Full Winners List". Playbill. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
- ^ "'Death Becomes Her' leads nominations for Dorian Theater Awards". Broadwaynews. Retrieved May 15, 2025.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 12, 2025). "Maybe Happy Ending Leads 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards; See the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (July 18, 2025). "Tina Fey, Marc Platt Team for 'John Proctor Is the Villain' Movie at Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 18, 2025.