Written by Steven Maisonet 

A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.

WITCH is a poignant story that feels incredibly relevant to the world today.

This exquisitely crafted production offers an authentic and genuine portrayal of a dark comedy, with a twist of drama and sincerity. Kudos to the production team at Road Less Traveled for consistently transforming the space into an immersive experience. From the moment I sat down and had a drink at the bar, I was transported to 17th-century Edmonton, England, through the artistic mastery of the authentic moss scent and Dyan Burlingame’s brilliant set design.

Director Scott Behrend brings this creative world to life, weaving allusions and artistry into every scene. His ability to balance humor and sincerity in his direction is evident in every interaction and scene change, which feels more like a series of vignettes than traditional scenes. This production of WITCH offers an intimate portrayal of six characters intertwined by the temptations of desire and self-indulgence. Wendy Hall, who plays “the witch” Elizabeth Sawyer, sets the narrative tone of living life under fate’s or destiny’s hand, introducing us to this captivating story. Hall delivers a phenomenal performance, portraying the sincerity of being an ostracized independent thinker in 17th-century England. Her warmth and depth bring richness to the character, and her on-stage chemistry with Chris Hatch(Scratch) creates a sense of familiarity for anyone who has ever felt ridiculed for being themselves—or, as the show beautifully puts it, for allowing their “soul to be the best part of them.”

Hatch does a deviously charming job as the traveling salesman who moonlights as the devil. He brings a dark comedic edge to the show, embodying the question, “What would you sacrifice to live the life you want?” Hatch’s portrayal as a “conman” or “devil” is left open to the audience’s interpretation. While I personally lean toward magical realism, it’s clear that the show is about more than just witches and devils.

Cuddy Banks, portrayed by Alex Anthony Garcia, is a sweet yet desperate character who longs for his father’s attention and the affection of his nemesis, Frank Thorney, played by Johnny Barden. Both actors deliver phenomenal, heart-wrenching performances, playing off each other’s humor and banter. Garcia brings a lighthearted air to the show but also steals the spotlight with his portrayal of a sexually repressed individual yearning to be accepted by the world around him. (For a dark comedy, you may want to bring some tissues for Act II.) He also delivers a remarkable performance in making Morris dancing both enjoyable and unexpectedly poignant.

Barden shines as Frank Thorney, a somewhat vindictive, self-centered, and manipulative character who cares only for his own success. In contrast, his thwarted love interest, Winifred, played by Renee Hawthorne, is an amusingly witty “servant” who is desperate for more. Hawthorne’s portrayal captures the universal longing many of us experience in our search for love—the hope that love will return our affection.

Finally, to top off the show, we have the incredible nobleman, Sir Arthur Banks, portrayed by David Marciniak. Sir Arthur, a widowed “cross-dressing” man of honor, is brought to life by Marciniak’s warmth and kindness. This character, who is longing to leave a legacy, is caught in a world where he is unaware of the schemes around him. Marciniak does a fantastic job of honing in on the comedic elements of the show, adding an important layer to the production.
Road Less Traveled Productions’s production of WITCH by Jen Silverman runs until December 8th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased via Road Less Traveled Productions or at the box office. Be sure to stop by the bar for a signature cocktail.