Branchville - Each October, fantasy marks the arrival of Halloween with a race to create the scariest costume, creepiest party, and most terrifying event. However, as Little Lost Arts production of “Cry Witch!,” at the Ratsch Theater, proves, often, reality is more frightening than make-believe. In 1692, Salem, Mass., was the sight of the worst case of mass hysteria in American history. It started with the ravings of four young girls and ended with the deaths of twenty-four people, and the imprisonment of hundreds of others, all accused of witchcraft. When the infamous Salem Witch Trials were over, nineteen men and women were hanged to death on Gallows Hill, four died in prison, and one defiant man was pressed to death beneath a board and stones in a torturous attempt to obtain a confession. Directed by Sheri Flannery-Verrilli, this spooky, yet educational, program describes the actual events of 1692, followed by two fictional, fact-based plays. The cast includes Sussex County actors, Maryta Schoen, Amanda Bridges, Samantha Bushman, Sashal Hagan, Courtney Verrilli, Kellen Wittrien, Beatrice Cannavale, Ellen St. John, and Micael-Anne Verrilli. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5. All tickets are $10, and the program is not recommended for children under eight. The Ratsch Theater, located at 6 Broad St. in Branchville, is an intimate 54 seat venue, so advanced tickets are strongly suggested. For further information, visit www.littlelostarts.com, or call 973 875-5111.