Saltonstall’s Trial
The Salem Witch Trial’s Untold Story
Story by Michael Cormier
Written by Michael Cormier and Myriam Cyr
Based on an original story by Michael Cormier
1692, Salem, Massachusetts. Hysteria abounds and witchcraft accusations fly. A respected judge, Nathaniel Saltonstall, is called to serve on the court of the Salem Witch Trials. As Saltonstall questions the legitimacy of the proceedings, he is forced to choose between integrity and self-preservation. The truth will put his loved ones at risk and himself on trial. Based on a true story.
“Tis not God’s hand that hangs you, but man’s alone. The evil here is not in the deeds of these women, but in the narrow minds of men.” Nathaniel Saltonstall, Saltonstall’s Trial
2019 Production
October 17-27, 2019
The Larcom Theatre
Original work developed and produced by Michael Cormier, Myriam Cyr, and the creative team of Punctuate4 Productions
Produced by Patricia P. Jamison, Catherine Stramer and Myriam Cyr
Associate Producers Becky Putnam and Michael Cormier
Directed by Myriam Cyr
Lighting Design by John Malinowski
Music Direction by Janet Glasser
Set & Costume Design by Catherine Stramer
Saltonstall’s Trial is a powerful and moving glimpse into the Salem witch hysteria of 17th century America; a play which illuminates a moment in history when a singular courageous voice countered, and in time defeated, a chorus of superstitious dread, intolerance, and greed. —Kathleen Kent, Author, The Heretic’s Daughter
Saltonstall’s Trial captures Political Madness of Past and Present
—The Theatre Mirror
CAST
Nathaniel Saltonstall: Benjamin Evett*(AEA)
Rev. John Ward: Christopher Lydon/Les Tarmy
Rev. Rowland Cotton: Hal Scardino
Judge William Stoughton: Phil Thompson
Elizabeth Saltonstall, Sr: Sarah Carlin
Lizbeth Saltonstall Denison: Shawna Ciampia
Rev. Nicholas Noyes: Steven Sacks
Judge John Hathorne: Bobby Kerrigan
Bridget Bishop: Carol Goans
Deliverance Hobbs: Barbara Bourgeois
Sarah Good: Verjana Abazaj
Constable Ayers/Goodman Gray: Dan Bruns
Goodman Shattuck/Ferryman: Cliff Dike
Goaler: Noah Greenstein
Goody Quinn: Laura Dike
Goody Cooper: Pamela Battin-Sacks
Goodman Bly: Les Tarmy
Goodman Page: John Archer
Ensemble: Evangeline Adelman
Ensemble: Catherine Minnetyan
*Member of Actor’s Equity
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Beverly Bank
Bob Jolly Charitable Trust
COJE Management Group
Eastern Bank
Fisher Koch Family Fund
Hale Bradt
Hilary Gabrieli
Jennifer West & Lauren Bruce
Joanne Patton
Long’s Jewelers
Massachusetts Cultural Council
Michael Goldman
Pabian & Russell, LLC
Robert Thuotte Giving Fund
Russell Pergament
Salem Five Charitable Foundation
Thomas A. Shields Family Fund
Twin Brooks Financial Strategies
2018 Workshop Production
November 1-4, 2018
The Chester Hawrylciw Theater, Northern Essex Community College, Haverhill, MA
Executive produced by Linda Menzies
Produced by Patricia P. Jamison, Bobby Kerrigan, Catherine Stramer and Michael Cormier
Directed by Myriam Cyr
Assistant Director: Matthew Butcher
Set Design by Linda Menzies and Myriam Cyr
Lighting Design by Geehae Moon
Costume Design by Catherine Stramer
Musical Dramaturgy by Drs. David & Janet King
The play was beyond riveting: very Shakespearean feel to it. Much dialogue in the iambic pentameter, a jailer there for the groundlings, songs used for changes of scene, and a plot as menacing as Measure for Measure-all while sounding as though ripped from today’s headlines. —J. Garvey
A very moving, thought provoking, strong play. Still this morning Saltonstall is the topic of our conversations. —J.Roy
CAST
Nathaniel Saltonstall: Douglas Brendel
Rev. John Ward: Les Tarmy
Rev. Rowland Cotton: David Kleinman
Judge William Stoughton: Phil Thompson
Elizabeth Saltonstall, Sr: Patricia P. Jamison
Lizbeth Saltonstall Denison: Shawna Ciampia
Martha: Aileen Corniel
Rev. Nicholas Noyes: Steven Sacks
Judge John Hathorne: Bobby Kerrigan
Bridget Bishop: Carol Goans
Deliverance Hobbs: Barbara Bourgeois
Sheriff Corwin: Sean Ward
Sarah Good: Christine Remus
Constable Ayers/Goodman Gray: Dan Bruns
Goodman Shattuck/Goodman Quinn: Cliff Dike
Goaler: Noah Greenstein
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:
Massachusetts School of Law
Twin Brooks FS
Wilber’s War
COJE Management
Goldman Associates
Haverhill Cultural Council
2017 Equity Staged Reading
November 5, 2017
The Black Box Lab at Stage284
First public reading of Saltonstall’s Trial
Original work developed and produced by Michael Cormier, Myriam Cyr, and the creative team of Punctuate4 Productions for The Black Box Lab at Stage284
Directed by Myriam Cyr
CAST
Nathaniel Saltonstall: Bill Mootos*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Rev. John Ward: Robert Murphy*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Rowland Cotton: John Manning
Elizabeth Saltonstall, Sr: Donna Sorbello*(AEA)
Elizabeth Saltonstall, Jr: Britt Reese
Deliverance Hobbs: Shana Dirik *(AEA)
Constable Ayers/Newton/Bly/Clerk: Phil Thompson
Sewall/Gray: Charles Linshaw*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Rev. Nicholas Noyes: Jake Berger*(AEA)
Narrator: Kevin Baird
Judge William Stoughton: Jack Shea*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
John Hathorne: Bobby Kerrigan
Goody Cooper: Ashley Shea*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Rev. Cotton Mather/Goodman Quinn: Doug Brendel
Bailiff/Shattuck: Paul V. Edwards
Bridget Bishop: Beth Gotha*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Sheriff Clement/Gaoler: Noah Greenstein
Sarah Good: Ashley Risteen
Goodman Cooper/Sheriff Corwin: Sean T. Ward
Prisoner One: Kris Andrews*+(AEA,SAG/AFTRA)
Narrator: Kevin Baird
*Member of Actor’s Equity
+Member of SAG-AFTRA
2017 Scene Reading
June 17, 2017
Buttonwoods Museum
Original work developed and produced by Michael Cormier, Myriam Cyr, Linda Menzies, and the creative team of Punctuate4 Productions
Produced by Patricia P. Jamison and Linda Menzies
Directed by Myriam Cyr
Buttonwoods Museum, Haverhill, MA
CAST
Nathaniel Saltonstall: Paul V. Edwards
Judge William Stoughton: David Bull
Elizabeth Saltonstall: Myriam Cyr*(AEA)
Narrator: Patricia P. Jamison
*Member of Actor’s Equity