Nov. 11-13 and 17-19: CLC Theatre department presents area premiere of updated morality play, 'Everyman'
A new adaption of the medieval morality play "Everyman" by Carol Ann Duffy, poet laureate of the United Kingdom, will be presented by the College of Lake County Theatre department Nov. 11-13 and 17-19. The adaptation premiered at London's National Theatre in 2015 to rave reviews, where the title character was played by Academy Award® nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave"). London's Evening Standard called it "Bold. Attention grabbing. A startling contemporary version."
The CLC production will be an area premiere, the first in Illinois, according to Craig Rich, director and theatre department co-chair.
"'Everyman' is a cornerstone in dramatic literature, the most famous play from the Middle Ages. Most people have heard of it, but few very have seen it produced," Rich said. "Not only did Duffy update the Olde English language, she made it even more relevant to our contemporary world. The allegorical characters are the same - God, Death, Good Deeds and Everyman, who represents everyone. Other characters represent his individual senses and qualities, such as strength, vanity, discretion and knowledge. The play deals with contemporary issues such as the environment, consumerism, personal responsibility and caring for each other. Medieval morality plays were usually a collaborative effort by clergymen, tradesmen and guild members of the English town," Rich said. "Over the years, lines would be changed, added, and deleted. Some historians believe that the original 'Everyman' is the result of multiple authors and decades of literary evolution."
Production dates are Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17, 18, 19 at 7:30 p.m. A post-play discussion with the director, faculty and cast will take place following the Nov. 17 performance. Performances will take place in Studio Theatre, James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts on the CLC Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St. The production contains adult language.
Tom Mitchell, Theatre department co-chair, said the CLC community is getting involved by collecting plastic bottles and colorful plastic bags to create three large sculptures for the set, which is being designed by Chicago theatre artist Grant Sabin.
Sabin's sculptures will be used to demonstrate the play's examination of excess, materialism and sustainability. As CLC Theatre's technical director, Mitchell regularly uses sustainable building materials and recycled items in set designs and did a sabbatical to learn more on the subject in 2011-12.
Everyman cast and hometowns:
Everyman: Rick Seng, Round Lake. God & Good Deeds: Renee C. Johnson, Antioch. Death: Greg Sendi, North Barrington. Knowledge: Emma Drehler, Libertyville. Everyboy: Matthew Sprenger, Grayslake.
Fellowship/Senses and Wits: Sound: Steven Aguilar, Zion. Strength: Jeff Brain, Antioch. Sensuality: Ben Compton, Winthrop Harbor. Sight: Moisés Diaz, Waukegan. Smell/Everyman Understudy: Alexander Gray, Zion. Insecurity: Cole Hessenthaler, Zion. Taste: Jenna Eve Kleinofen, Grayslake. Touch: Abbey Kruse, Highland Park. Discretion: Christiane Laskowski, Lake Zurich. Vanity: Bianca Shofner, Gurnee. Passion: Dylan Thomas, Winthrop Harbor. Conscience/Sinead: Sarah Ulrich, Wauconda. Ensemble: Reda Vaivadaite, Grayslake; Emmalee Berger, Libertyville; Arturo Martinez, Waukegan.
Kindred: Mother: Ann Schwaar, Mundelein. Father: Juan Hernandez, Round Lake. Sister: Liz Hernandez, Zion.
Goods: Ben Compton, Winthrop Harbor; Cole Hessenthaler, Zion; Bianca Shofner, Gurnee; Dylan Thomas, Winthrop Harbor.
Tickets: $12 general admission; $10 tickets for CLC/Teen/Seniors 65+. Ticket prices include JLC $2 facility fee). Special price tickets: Buy one ticket, get one free for Nov. 11 and 17 shows. For tickets, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. Visit jlc.clcillinois.edu/schoolgroups for group reservations. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 60 minutes prior to each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. The James Lumber Center is ADA compliant. Call for more details.
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