SCR producing artistic director David Emmes directs the work set to open April 9 at the Costa Mesa company's Segerstrom Stage.

Set in the "religious and political crucible of Colonial Massachusetts," Safe in Hell retells the story of real-life father and son Puritan preachers Cotton and Increase Mather. The comedy delves into the story behind the witch hunt.

Robert Sella (as Cotton Mather) and Graeme Malcolm (as Increase) are featured in a cast that includes Simon Billig, Madison Dunaway, Colette Kilroy, Hal Landon Jr., Tracey Aileen Leigh, Elisa Richardson Don Took and Suzanne Jamieson.

The design team of Safe in Hell are Ralph Funicello (sets), Nephelie Andonyadis (costumes), Peter Maradudin (lights) and David Budries (sound). Sylvia C. Turner handles choreography.

The work marks Freed's third SCR-commissioned work — after Freedomland and The Beard of Avon — to be developed and premiere at the California stage. Other plays by Freed include The Psychic Life of Savages, Still Warm and Claustrophilia. For tickets to Safe in Hell at SCR, 655 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, CA, call (714) 708-5555. For more information, visit the company online at www.scr.org.