Chicago director leads students in “A Streetcar Named Desire” Oct. 8-11

North Central College features student actors in the drama “A Streetcar Named Desire” by American playwright Tennessee Williams Oct. 8-11.

Five performances of “A Streetcar Named Desire” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 10 and 11 in Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets are $10/adults and $8/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

Often regarded among the finest of American plays of the 20th century, “Streetcar” received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1948 after its run on Broadway.

Set in the French Quarter of New Orleans during the restless years following World War II, “A Streetcar Named Desire” is the story of Blanche DuBois, a fragile and neurotic woman on a desperate prowl for someplace in the world to call her own. She moves in with her sister and is tormented by her brutish brother-in-law while her reality crumbles around her.

Chicago-based Jason Gerace is guest director for the production. “This great American play has excellent roles for women, and the immense talent of North Central’s theatre students will be in full display in the cast and the physical production,” says Gerace. He plans to follow the playwright’s original vision as closely as possible but will use Madden Theatre to create an intimate experience for the audience.

“One element of the play we hope to emphasize is the way Blanche does not fit into the world she enters at the beginning of the play. There is literally not enough space for Blanche or her things, and the new time and place she has entered represents a great threat to her existence,” Gerace says. “The production will dive into some of the most complex psychological realism ever written, and that is always a great opportunity for an audience.”

The cast for “A Streetcar Named Desire” is (role, name, town, year major):
Stanley: Jack Morsovillo of Franklin Park, a junior majoring in theatre
Stella: Samantha Hess of Decatur, Mich., a senior majoring in musical theatre and theatre
Blanche: Colleen DeRosa of Downers Grove, a senior majoring in theatre and speech communication
Mitch: Chris Corrigan of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Eunice: Nicole Borowski of Itasca, a junior majoring in theatre
Steve: Jack Lindberg of St. Charles, a sophomore majoring in musical theatre
Paul/Doctor: John Bihun of Oak Brook, a junior majoring in marketing and broadcast communication

The crew is (role, name, town, year, major):
Scenic design: Elizabeth Bracken, assistant professor of theatre  
Stage manager: Brittney Collins of Sullivan, Ill., a senior majoring in theatre: technical track
Costume design: Nicole McCallion of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Lighting design: Brad Burkhalter of Aurora, a senior majoring in theatre
Sound design: Tom Noesen of Naperville, a sophomore majoring in theatre

North Central College’s 2015-2016 Fine and Performing Arts Season is partially sponsored by Nicor Gas, Advanced Data Technologies, BMO Harris Bank, Savant Capital Management, USG Corporation, West Suburban Irish, Monarch Landing, Naperville Special Events and Cultural Amenities Fund, Illinois Arts Council Agency, DuPage Foundation and Naperville Development Partnership.