Luminaire conjuring comedy with Witches!? In Salem?!
It’s an invitation to step into a world of hysteria and hilarity. Witches?! In Salem?! is a satirical response to Arthur Miller’s The Crucible about the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.
It’s a good lesson for today to look for truth
Moore is going out side his comfort zone of musical theatre to direct Witches!? In Salem?!. (Luminaire Theatre Works)
“The Crucible gets read by a lot of students in school, and this is a really cool parody of it,” says director Braden Moore. “But, it’s also about pointing the blame at everyone else without just cause. It’s a good lesson for today to look for truth in what’s happening in our world.”
It’s the role I was born to play
This play is not a sombre lesson, instead, it’s a comedic romp and nothing is off limits. Case in point is Satan’s appearance to open the show.
Andrew Linsley says Witches!? In Salem?! is a show full of laughs and intrigue. (Facebook)
“It’s the role I was born to play,” jokes Andrew Linsley of his devilish character. “Satan breaks the fourth wall with a public service announcement that he was not involved in the events the audience is about to see. The responsibility is purely on humanity.”
I love that a lot of our characters are rooted in actual events
Witches!? In Salem?! is a demanding show for the actors with each of them taking on multiple roles. Bryden Szejvolt plays four characters in this production and says it’s a great experience.
Bryden Szejvolt jumped at the chance to do a deep dive into the history of the Salem Witch Trials to prepare for this role. (Facebook)
“All the actors are bringing little pieces of themselves to these crazy characters and it’s so much fun to interact with each other in this world,” says Szejvolt, who’s also a high school social studies teacher. “I love that a lot of our characters are rooted in actual events. Using comedy and satire makes this part of history more entertaining.”
It’s just silly fun and I hope the audience will come along for the ride
Moore agrees. The comedy in Witches!? In Salem?! is off the wall but so was the idea that women should be persecuted for being different and not following societal norms of the time.
“The script points out the absurdity of it. A bunch of people were accused of something that doesn’t exist,” Moore explains. “The Salem Witch Trials were inherently misogynistic. This play gives a lot more respect and agency to the women involved.”
“I like that this play starts with the source material and then pokes fun at it all the way through,” says Linsley. “It’s just silly fun and I hope the audience will come along for the ride.”
Witches!? In Salem?!
April 2 – 5, 2026
Studio 914 (La Troupe Du Jour)
Tickets $30 – $35
For more information and to buy tickets follow this link.
A scene from rehearsal of Luminaire Theatre Works production of Witches!? In Salem?! (Luminaire Theatre Works)
