Nashville Children’s Theatre (NCT) begins its 85th season with “Afflicted: Daughters of Salem,” the riveting untold tale of the girls of Salem, opening Sept. 15 and running through Oct. 2. Each performance will include a unique interactive post-show forum designed to connect the stricken girls of Salem to the young people of today. The resolution of the play will happen in the forum.
“Afflicted: Daughters of Salem” tells the story of the Salem girls – Abigail Williams, the leader; Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, Mary Warren, and Betty Paris – and the crucible of dark events that led to the infamous Salem Witch Trials. In the tradition of the hit feature film, “Mean Girls,” or the popular television series, “Pretty Little Liars,” Afflicted provides a fictionalized look inside the peer politics and teen rebellions within the group of young girls and the psychology of leaders and followers. 
“Afflicted is set in Salem, 1692 – but to me, it resonates clearly with our contemporary culture,” said director Alicia Fuss. “Today, young girls still struggle against the expectations society holds for them. They tell secrets. They seek friendships. They yearn for power and autonomy, and they fear what their futures hold. In examining what life might have been like for these young women and in Salem, we also have an opportunity to examine our own friendships and fears, hopes and dreams.”
All shows are open to families, but parents should be aware that the story and action of the play might be too intense younger children.
Opening night performance is Thursday. Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. with a discounted ticket rate of $7 per child and $15 per adult.
School performances are weekdays at 10 and 11:45 a.m. Weekend performances are open to the public, scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 17 through Oct. 2, and reservations are recommended. There is no Sunday performance on September 18. Individual weekend ticket prices are $15 per child (ages 2 to 17), $20 per adult; group, senior, educator, and military discounts are also available. A homeschool performance is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sept. 28, and a sign-interpreted performance is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 2 p.m.
A Sensory Friendly performance is available Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m.  This performance is open to the public and is designed to be a safe and accepting environment where children with disabilities and their typically developing peers are free to speak and move in reaction to the story being told onstage. For all performances, NCT provides a Comfort Room in the back of our theatre where audience members can always adjust both light and sound levels. 
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.nashvillect.org or call (615) 252-4675, Tuesday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.