The cast of Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch” finishes off an unexpected musical number with flourish. From left to right: Stacy Katasse, Ty Yamoaka, Aaron Elmore, Katie Jensen, Cate Ross, Kelsey Riker, Salissa Thole, Dakota Morgan and Patrick Minik. The local company’s production of the play includes a few musical moments unique to the Juneau effort. Below, Scratch (Kelsey Riker) enters a scene with a devilish grin during rehearsal.

The cast of Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch” finishes off an unexpected musical number with flourish. From left to right: Stacy Katasse, Ty Yamoaka, Aaron Elmore, Katie Jensen, Cate Ross, Kelsey Riker, Salissa Thole, Dakota Morgan and Patrick Minik. The local company’s production of the play includes a few musical moments unique to the Juneau effort. Below, Scratch (Kelsey Riker) enters a scene with a devilish grin during rehearsal.

Something wickedly funny this way comes

Stagecraft meets witchcraft.

Donnie Gott had a feeling she wanted to stage a production of “Witch” even before she read the script.

That desire was instilled by a Los Angeles Times piece that recounted a moment in which a spirited audience reaction to the play was muted by a man who shushed a group of largely female theater-goers with a curt “It’s just a play, folks. Relax!”

“I wanted to do that show that makes women laugh,” Gott said.

And now, that’s exactly what she’s doing. Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch,” directed by Gott, opens Friday at McPhetres Hall.

While the play is more contemporary than the Shakespeare-loving theater’s usual repertoire — its world premiere was in 2018 — Gott said once she and the company became familiar with the play, it was evident it was of a piece with previous Theatre in the Rough endeavors. The company tends to favor plays from the past with strong, sometimes surprising, modern resonance.

“Witch,” written by Jen Silverman is a recent retelling and reframing of a 17th century Jacobean drama written by three men.

“It revolves around the twin questions of despair and hope, which is different from the 1621 original, ‘The Witch of Edmonton,’” said Katie Jensen, Theatre in the Rough co-founder who portrays the supposed-witch Elizabeth Sawyer.

Photos by Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire 
Elizabeth Sawyer (Katie Jensen) stares ahead in isolation during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” While some in Edmonton believe Elizabeth to be a witch, she’s alone in having little interest in what old Scratch offers when the devil comes to the tiny town.

Photos by Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire
Elizabeth Sawyer (Katie Jensen) stares ahead in isolation during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” While some in Edmonton believe Elizabeth to be a witch, she’s alone in having little interest in what old Scratch offers when the devil comes to the tiny town.

Modern context and dark humor turn a supposed recounting of real-life witchcraft in a small town into a piece that examines power systems, gender roles, subconscious biases and the meaning of humanity while telling a story that hinges on how men and one woman — the titular alleged witch — react when offered help from Scratch, the literal devil.

“Most everyone he approaches is fairly eager to trade their soul for whatever they want, and she’s not so sure,” Gott said.

That’s largely because Elizabeth — a character named for a real woman who was killed as a witch — isn’t a witch, but rather an isolated woman whose existence is reviled by the Edmonton elite.

But, the pitch from Scratch (Kelsey Riker) — insect-related maladies or warts for those who scorn Elizabeth — is also comparatively weak.

“There is a point in the story where Elizabeth calls out Scratch’s unconscious bias that he offers women these trivial offerings,” Gott said. “Whereas he offers men power and destruction and the ability to wield power in a destructive way or any way they want. She asks him, ‘What about wholesale slaughter? If that’s something I want, is that available for my soul?’”

Scratch responds that the request is a little advanced.

Scratch (Kelsey Riker) enters a scene with a devilish grin during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” The play, a dark comedy based on a 1600s drama, opens on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Scratch (Kelsey Riker) enters a scene with a devilish grin during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” The play, a dark comedy based on a 1600s drama, opens on Friday. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

“There’s assumptions about our intellect or abilities based on the shape of our bodies,” Jensen said. “It asks a lot of incredible questions, but it couches them in some beautiful pieces of dark humor.”

In addition to probing questions coupled with laughs, the play traffics in relatable feelings. Jensen said following COVID isolation, she thinks many of Elizabeth’s struggles with public perception following prolonged isolation are something people, including her, can relate to.

The initially adversarial meeting between the definite devil and not-really witch precedes a begrudging respect and developing friendship that Jensen said provides a compelling core for the play.

“They become friends, and I think it’s between the two of them where the hook comes through because it turns into a love story — not a romantic story, but a different kind of love story,” Jensen said. “Although she isn’t a witch she casts a spell of sorts over Scratch.”

It’s a story told in large part through dialogue that Gott praised for its intelligence and humor.

However, the dialogue and a surprising musical number — a Theatre in the Rough production-specific flourish driven by a chorus consisting of Aaron Elmore, Stacy Katasse and Salissa Thole — is also likely a bit too profane for young children. As a point of reference, Gott said she would bring her teenager to “Witch” but not her 7-year-old child.

Ty Yamoaka and Cate Ross react to ominous kazoo playing and vocalizations from chorus members Salissa Thole (upper right) and Aaron Elmore (far right) during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Ty Yamoaka and Cate Ross react to ominous kazoo playing and vocalizations from chorus members Salissa Thole (upper right) and Aaron Elmore (far right) during rehearsal for Theatre in the Rough’s production of “Witch.” (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

She expressed hope that some adolescents will be allowed to move past the salty language and see the show.

“There’s representation in this show,” Gott said. “There are queer characters. There are queer people playing characters. There are strong women. I think it’s important for young people to see that.”

• Contact Ben Hohenstatt at (907)308-4895 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.

Know & Go

What: Theatre in the Rough’s “Witch”

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; Saturday, Nov. 19; Wednesday, Nov. 23; Friday, Nov. 25; Saturday, Nov. 26; Thursday, Dec. 1; Friday, Dec. 2; Saturday, Dec. 3; Thursday, Dec. 8; Friday, Dec. 9; and Saturday, Dec. 10. 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4; and Sunday, Dec. 11.

Where: McPhretres Hall, 325 Gold St.

Admission: Tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com/event/5618286. General admission costs $30; $20 for seniors or students.

More in News

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File
The Aurora Borealis glows over the Mendenhall Glacier in 2014.
Aurora Forecast

Forecasts from the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute for the week of March. 19

The FBI Anchorage Field Office is seeking information about this man in relation to a Wednesday bank robbery in Anchorage, the agency announced Thursday afternoon. Anyone with information regarding the bank robbery can contact the FBI Anchorage Field Office at 907-276-4441 or tips.fbi.gov. Tips can be submitted anonymously.  (FBI)
FBI seeks info in Anchorage bank robbery

The robbery took place at 1:24 p.m. on Wednesday.

Kevin Maier
Sustainable Alaska: Climate stories, climate futures

The UAS Sustainability Committee is hosting a series of public events in April…

Reps. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, and Andi Story, D-Juneau, offering competing amendments to a bill increasing the per-student funding formula for public schools by $1,250 during a House Education Committee meeting Wednesday morning. McKay’s proposal to lower the increase to $150 was defeated. Story’s proposal to implement an increase during the next two years was approved, after her proposed amounts totalling about $1,500 were reduced to $800.
Battle lines for education funding boost get clearer

$800 increase over two years OKd by House committee, Senate proposing $1,348 two-year increase

A call for a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature to cast a vote that would reject recently-approved salary increases for legislators and top executive branch officials is made by State House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, during a press conference Tuesday. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, rejected the joint session in a letter to Tilton on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
House efforts to nix legislative pay raises hit Senate roadblock

Call for a joint session rejected by upper chamber, bills to overturn pay hikes may lack support

A simulated photo shows the tailings stack and other features of Hecla Greens Creek Mine under the most aggressive of four alternatives for expanding the mine in an environmental impact assessment published Thursday by the U.S Forest Service. The tailings stack is modestly to drastically smaller in the other alternatives. The public comment period for the study is from March 24 to May 8. (U.S. Forest Service)
New study digs into alternatives for Greens Creek Mine expansion

Public comment starts Friday on four options that could extend mine’s life up to 40 years

This image shows the Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament's logo. The club is looking for submissions of logos for the historic tournament's 75th anniversary. The winning artist will receive a $250 prize. (Screenshot)
Take your shot at a Gold Medal logo

Upcoming milestone prompts call for art.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Police calls for Thursday, March 23, 2023

This report contains information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Juneau School Board recently announced the three finalists for the district’s superintendent position: Frank Hauser, Carlee Simon and Thom Peck. The district is hosting a public forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, March 27 at Thunder Mountain High School for students, parents and staff to meet the three candidates. Additionally, the trio will be interviewed by the school board on Tuesday, March 28. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
School district announces finalists for superintendent post

Public forum and interviews scheduled for next week.

Most Read