Wed Apr 16 10:10:00 UTC 2025: **New Play “John Proctor Is the Villain” Explores Modern Feminism and Betrayal in High School**

NEW YORK, NY—Kimberly Belflower’s new play, *John Proctor Is the Villain*, currently running at the Booth Theatre, offers a sharp and timely critique of modern feminism and the pervasive nature of misogyny. The play centers on a group of high school students in rural Georgia studying *The Crucible*, whose discussions are upended by the return of Shelby (Sadie Sink), a classmate who’d been absent for months.

Shelby’s explosive re-entry sparks a debate about John Proctor’s villainy, challenging the traditional heroic narrative. Her perspective, prioritizing lived experience over literary interpretation, throws the classroom’s dynamics into disarray. The play cleverly intertwines this literary discussion with the students’ own experiences of betrayal, sexual assault accusations involving both a teacher and a parent, and the everyday struggles of navigating burgeoning feminism in a deeply patriarchal society.

Director Danya Taymor keeps the pace brisk and engaging, mirroring the playwright’s intention. The play deftly balances the use of *The Crucible* as a framework, using it as a springboard to explore the girls’ own crises, rather than simply rewriting Miller’s classic.

The performances are lauded, particularly Sadie Sink’s portrayal of Shelby, whose energy and raw emotion are key to the play’s impact. The supporting cast, including Amalia Yoo as Raelynn and Fina Strazza as Beth, effectively portrays the complexities of female friendship and the internal conflicts arising from navigating societal expectations and personal trauma.

*John Proctor Is the Villain* is not just a play about high school students; it’s a potent commentary on the ongoing fight for gender equality, exposing the hypocrisy and challenges faced by young women today. The play serves as a powerful companion piece to Bess Wohl’s *Liberation*, highlighting the continued struggle for women’s rights across generations. The review concludes by praising the play’s emotional depth and its ultimately hopeful portrayal of young women fighting for their own agency and self-worth in a world that frequently undermines them.

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