North Central students give Biblical rock opera a contemporary look

The North Central College seniors directing a production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" say they are aiming for a natural look.

"It's getting everything to work with the music and getting everyone to act with the music, without it looking like we've choreographed the entire show," said Macia Noorman, a director and senior performance theater major from Kentwood, Mich.

The 1970 rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice opens Friday for a four-performance run at the campus' Pfeiffer Hall. Overseen by faculty adviser Brian Lynch, it's entirely directed, choreographed and stage-managed by seniors.

Noorman said the toughest aspect of directing one's peers is dealing with real-life role adjustments.

"It's stepping out of the friend role and into the directing role," she said.

Jen Berosek, a senior from Streator double-majoring in theater and psychology, serves as production manager, coordinating myriad elements that go into bringing the show to life.

Though the music and vocals are the rock opera's focus, Berosek said inventive choreography further enlivens the show in several scenes.

"They do have tumbling through a couple of numbers," she said, adding that at one point, two dancers do a double-cartwheel into the temple. "That's a really cool image."

Other highlights include the song, "Jesus Christ Superstar," she said.

"It's Judas' big number," she said. "That's the main one people recognize."

Though the story is based on Biblical accounts of Jesus' life, North Central students have chosen to dress characters in contemporary garb and set the action in a large, modern city that bears a resemblance to Chicago, Berosek said.

Jesus wears white and light-colored khaki pants and shirts while the disciples, reflecting their differing backgrounds, wear clothes that suggest homelessness or preppie outfits straight out of a middle-class wardrobe.

"Our Pharisees look like businessmen, high-powered executives; our soldiers look like police," Berosek said.

Weston Henry, a sophomore music education major, plays Jesus. He has been a chorus member in a number of North Central productions and did some theater at Sterling High School in his northwestern Illinois hometown.

Henry said he'd be lying if he didn't admit that landing such a major part has been a great experience.

"This is my first actual role," Henry said. "I really love the music. It's a lot of fun to learn."

That's not to say it's not challenging.

"I'm on the stage pretty much the whole time," he said. "Jesus has a lot of high notes. It's a tenor-oriented part."

Henry said one of his favorite moments playing the vocally demanding role is the scene in the garden of Gethsemane, the night before Jesus is crucified.

"It's basically him and all the disciples on stage. It's basically him singing to God," Henry said. "It's one of the most powerful songs."

If you go

What: "Jesus Christ Superstar"

Details: 1970s rock opera directed by North Central College seniors

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and Feb. 29 and March 1

Where: North Central's Pfeiffer Hall, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville

Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students

Info: (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu

The cast

Jesus: Weston Henry

Judas: Jonathan Schroerlucke

Mary: Amanda Nousain

Caiaphas: Jonathan Berosek

Pilate: Will Allan

Annas: Adrion Rivera

Simon: Taylor Martin

Peter: Doug Pawlik

Herod: Adam Meredith

Pharisee: Jude Roche

Pharisee: Ian Sturn

Pharisee: Marc Dahlquist

Soul girl: Aileen Rak

Soul girl: Andrea Larson

Soul girl: Melissa Dreveny

The crew

Production manager: Jen Berosek

Stage manager: Jeanna Bonamer

Assistant stage manager: Ashley Bianchi

Choreographers: Alicia Kimball and Stephanie Madison

Music directors: Amanda Lang and Michael Musselman

Directors: Macia Noorman and Diana Redlien

Technical director: Jon Rippe