The new play
Witch, by
Playwrights' Center affiliated writer Jen Silverman (author of
The Roommate and
The Moors), is an absurd and funny little play that's difficult to describe. It's a loose retelling of the 17th Century play
The Witch of Edmonton, which is based on the real-life case of Elizabeth Sawyer, one of tens of thousands of women accused of and executed for being a witch in the middle ages and early modern era across Europe and the US. But the play also focuses on a wealthy landowner and his heirs, and the idea of selling one's soul to the devil, and things take many unexpected turns. The themes of women's agency, and selling your soul to gain power, make this four hundred year old story scarily relevant. Walking Shadow Theatre Company's production is well-executed in the intimate space of Open Eye Theatre, with a talented six-person cast.
Witch continues through April 13 (note: "intimate" means small audience, so don't wait too long - some performances are already sold out).
