When the devil comes a-knockin’ on the door of village pariah Elizabeth
(Audrey Francis) to offer a Faustian bargain for her soul, he tries out a
unique sales pitch: Everyone in town already believes her to be a witch and
treats her accordingly. So why not lean into it and actually reap some
perks?
Lyons’s cast is compelling from top to bottom (Francis, as a deadpan,
strong-willed Elizabeth, is a consistent scene stealer), and without
spoiling anything, a shocking sequence fight-choreographed by Matt Hawkins
is undoubtedly one of the richest, most visceral scenes to play out on a
Chicago stage all year. v
Through 12/16: Wed-Fri 7:30 PM, Sat 3 and 7:30 PM, Sun 2 and 6 PM, Tue 7:30 PM; also Wed 10/17 and 10/24, 3 PM; no 6 PM performances Sun 10/21 and 10/28, Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Ct., Glencoe, 847-242-6000, writerstheatre.org, $35-$80.
