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You’ll be spellbound by Ocala Civic Theatre’s bewitching dark comedy WITCH, live on stage October 5-15 at the Reilly Arts Center.In the rural village of Edmonton, outcast Elizabeth Sawyer (Joan Elizabeth McDonald) is tired of being blamed for sick cows, lost hens, and houses afire. All she wants is to be left alone in her country cottage, but the villagers have gotten it into their heads that she’s a witch and responsible for anything that goes wrong for miles around. Some even say she’s danced with the devil in the pale moonlight.
Speak of the devil: Scratch (Brian Creary) is here to raise hell in a village where everybody’s soul is for sale… for the right price. But when Elizabeth won’t be enticed, the clever devil discovers temptations of his own – and just might scratch that itch.
For a little village in the country, there certainly are a lot of souls struggling with secrets, sins, and temptations of their own. There’s the wealthy and powerful Sir Arthur Banks (Wayne T. Dilts), who lives a lavish life of indulgence and frivolity in his castle. Yet this extravagant existence is no consolation to his painfully shy son Cuddy (Christian Gonzales), who is consumed with inner turmoil over a secret love.
He’s also consumed with jealousy over the charming and confident Frank Thorney (Janik Buranosky), a young man of humble beginnings whom Sir Arthur has taken on as a favorite son. Frank, of course, has a big secret of his own.
And poor put-upon Winnifred (Cheyenne Dever), Sir Arthur’s servant, seems doomed to a life of nothing but cleaning up after an endless succession of elaborate banquets. But she, too, has a secret. Naturally… doesn’t everyone? And that means – as the delightfully diabolical Scratch knows so well – most everyone in Edmonton can be tempted… and bought… if the price is right.
Playwright Jen Silverman has set WITCH in a time described as “then-ish, but equally of our moment,” brilliantly blurring the line between now and long ago. Slyly funny, the devil’s in the details of this bewitching dark comedy.
WITCH is directed by Greg Thompson. Scenic design is by Greg Thompson and Katherine “Jack” Foust. Costume designer is Amanda Jones. Lighting designer is Katherine “Jack” Foust. Sound designer is Jazmine Whipple. Props designer and stage manager is Courtney Curtis.
As the first show in our Rattlebox at the Reilly series, OCT presents WITCH live on stage in the NOMA Black Box at the Reilly Arts Center. There will be 10 performances October 5-15: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and younger. This PG-13 show is recommended for high school students and older. Buy tickets through the Reilly Arts Center box office at (352) 351-1606 or reillyartscenter.com.
COMMUNITY PARTNER: Ocala Gazette
✨This project is supported in part by Marion Cultural Alliance and the National Endowment for the Arts.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Reilly Arts Center, Sparr, United States
Tickets