Theatrius
  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us
  • Search Icon

Theatrius

Theater Reviews—San Francisco and Beyond

“Witch Hunt” Works Magic, at Those Women, Berkeley

“Witch Hunt” Works Magic, at Those Women, Berkeley

August 2, 2019 Fritz Mad'Laine

Millennial Notes

Carol S. Lashof Gives Life to Historical Tituba

by Fritz Mad’Laine

Those Women Productions, one of my favorites, is back at it again with their world premiere of Carol S. Lashof’s “Witch Hunt.” With reproductive justice rights under attack, Mother Earth in ruins, and the occult making a dramatic comeback among disillusioned millennials, there’s no better time to revisit our country’s colonial origins.

In La Val’s Subterranean Theater in Berkeley, “Witch Hunt” transforms an eerie basement into the site of some of history’s darkest moments. Quinnton Barringer’s compelling set design features an enormous glowing cross looming over the actors. Claudio Silva Restrepo surprises with surreal lighting choices, and Samuel Raskin amps up a terrifying soundscape.

“Witch Hunt” – Scenic Design by Quinnton Barringer. Photos by W. Newton

Lashof tells the story of Tituba, an indigenous serving woman in 17th century Salem, Massachusetts. Minister Samuel Parris purchased Tituba from a slave plantation in Barbados, and leaves her in charge of raising his unruly daughter Betty (Sofia Angelopoulos), who hangs on Tituba’s every word.

Tituba’s fantastic stories offer Betty an escape from her father’s maniacal preaching and her mother’s suffocating rules. But Betty’s sudden mental breakdown, punctuated by nightmares and outbursts of Arawak phrases, provokes rumors of witchcraft—with Tituba as prime suspect.

The question of how to tell an unrecorded story plagues artists and historians alike. At Salem’s notorious trials, Tituba was the first to confess to practicing witchcraft—but we know little else about her. In Arthur Miller’s classic “The Crucible,” she appears as a victim of the pilgrims’ manipulation, but Lashof portrays her as the master of her own fate. 

“Witch Hunt” – The Ensemble

Renee Rogoff embodies the enigmatic Tituba with a quiet dignity, shining light onto a formerly  obscure historical woman. The play begins with her chilling premonition: “What is a witch? A woman who makes things happen in ways that you cannot explain. Through the power of words, it may be . . . ” Rogoff’s mesmerizing stage presence and Lashof’s words combine powerfully, reminding us that there is no spell more enchanting than a work of art.

Despite the show’s outstanding qualities, I was disappointed to see Tituba’s narrative move out of focus. Her monologues offer precious insights into the life of an influential Native woman, but they are few. Instead, Tituba’s story is eclipsed by Betty’s, as Puritan paranoia takes center stage.

Sofia Angelopoulo (Betty) and Renee Rogoff (Tituba)

In emphasizing the familiar pilgrim hysteria, “Witch Hunt” misses an opportunity to dip beneath the maelstrom—and fully explore Tituba’s experience of events.

Whether or not Tituba believes she is a witch, we are awed by her ability to throw Salem into chaos by merely uttering a few words. Her eyes bright with vengeance, Tituba tells her god-fearing captors that she has indeed seen the Devil—and he is a white man. 

This formative moment in U.S. history forces us to ask: Are we still suffering from delusions of superiority and imperialist arrogance? Why does the city of Berkeley—with its progressive reputation—refuse to return land to the indigenous Ohlone people? 

With racism and patriarchy at the heart of so much evil, “Witch Hunt” challenges us to question our beliefs—alerting us to the dangers of repeating our gruesome past.

Sofia Angelopoulo, Kitty Torres, Renee Rogoff, and Nathan Bogner

“Witch Hunt” by Carol S. Lashof, directed by Elizabeth Vega, by Those Women Productions, at La Val’s Subterranean Theater, 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, through Sunday, August 4, 2019. Info: thosewomenproductions.com

Cast: Sofia Angelopoulos, Nate Bogner, Steven Flores, Renee Rogoff, Kitty Torres, and Julie Ann Valdez.

Banner photo: Steven Flores and Renee Rogoff.


Millennial Notes, Plays
Civil Rights, Colonialism, exploitation, feminism, Immigrants, Imperialism, Native Americans, patriarchy, Puritans, religion, Salem witch trials, slavery, social class, U.S. History, Women's Rights

Post navigation

NEXT
“At the Illusionist’s Table” Offers Fine Food for the Mind, at Cal Performances
PREVIOUS
“Witch Hunt” Pursues Untold Stories, at Those Women, Berkeley
Comments are closed.

Menu

  • Now Playing
  • All Reviews
  • Writers
  • Reflections
  • Millennial Notes
  • Join Us
  • About Us

BLM

Black Lives Matter

Subscribe for upcoming reviews!
Loading

Current Shows

  • “Dry Powder” Spotlights Wall Street Power-Brokers—at Left Edge
  • “Pride and Prejudice, The Musical” Enchants with Sass & Satire—at Ross Valley
  • “Clue” Melds Mystery & Comedy into Entertaining Adventure—at SF Playhouse
  • “Donna”: Intimate Interviews Celebrate Trans Triumphs—On Screen
  • “Fannie”: Sixties Spirituals Pave Path to Freedom—at TheatreWorks
  • “’Tasha” Tackles Raw Racism—at 3Girls
  • “Tea Party” Brews Up a Cup of America—at The Strand
  • “A Raisin in the Sun” Explodes with Drama and Power—at 6th Street
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Deserves Its Standing Ovation—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Cambodian Rock Band” Mixes Nostalgic Hits with Terror—at Berkeley Rep
  • “Fun Home” Seduces with Strong Songs & Sultry Sass—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Anything Goes”: It’s Delightful, It’s Delicious, It’s De-lovely—at 42nd Street Moon
  • “SIX, The Musical” Celebrates Women’s Freedom & Individuality—at BroadwaySF
  • “Fun Home” Bursts with Love & Feeling—at Berkeley Playhouse
  • “Dear San Francisco” Wows with Kaleidoscopic Acrobatics—at Club Fugazi

About us:

If you want to see the best plays & performances around the San Francisco Bay or beyond, read our reviews. We promise to give you a true report on the best shows.
Bay Area Critics Circle

Barry David Horwitz, Editor of Theatrius, is a Voting Member of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics' Circle, SFBATCC. Follow us on: facebook.com

© 2023   All Rights Reserved.