North Central College students perform comic play “Sirens” Feb. 7-10

North Central College students will perform “Sirens,” a playful and romantic comedy about a couple trying to rekindle their romance.

Four performances of “Sirens” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7-9 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in the College’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and senior citizens.

Written by award-winning playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer and directed by North Central College professor of theatre Deborah Harris, this will be among the first Chicago-area productions of “Sirens.” The play premiered at the 2010 Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky.

The plot revolves around what happens to a couple, Sam and Rose, whose 25-year marriage has begun to drift off course. While trying to rekindle the flames of romance on a Mediterranean cruise that promises to “chart the journey of Odysseus,” Sam hears distant traces of music that are so utterly sublime, they’re simply too compelling to resist.

“The audience will be able to laugh at mistakes they might see their own parents making,” Harris says. “Sam gets obsessed with Facebook, and Rose ends up dressing like a teenager when she attempts to be more fashion-conscious. While they’ve become very accustomed to bickering and tuning one another out, neither of them realizes how deeply they have come to depend on one another.”

The play is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

The cast for “Sirens” features (role, actor, town, year, major):

Sam: Evan Michalic of Elburn, a junior majoring in theatre
Rose: Emily Schreiber of Lansing, a sophomore majoring in elementary education and theatre
Siren: Madelyn DePorter of Orion, a sophomore majoring in theatre and global studies international business
Richard: Jack Bauer of Manhattan, a sophomore majoring in theatre and psychology
Leah: Jessica Yoesle of Marseilles, a freshman
Waitress: Emma Smith of Downers Grove, a sophomore majoring in theatre and English writing

North Central College offers majors in theatre or musical theatre and a minor in dance. A full range of acting and dance classes is available, as well as opportunities to direct a full-length production. Students of all majors can participate in musical and nonmusical performances, actor showcases and one-act plays and performances in the College’s four theatre venues. Full-time professors and active professionals who are artist-teachers serve as faculty. 

Navistar is underwriting sponsor of North Central College’s 2012-2013 Fine and Performing Arts Season. The season is partially supported by USG Corporation and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and National Endowment of the Arts.