North Central College junior directs original production “The Cherub’s Mask”

North Central College features the original production “The Cherub’s Mask,” directed by junior Jack Morsovillo and written by Morsovillo and sophomore John Lindberg. Staged Feb. 11-13, the play explores the effects of divorce on a family.

Three performances of “The Cherub’s Mask” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11, 12 and 13 in the College’s theatre at Meiley-Swallow Hall, 31 S. Ellsworth St. Tickets are $5/adults and $3/students and senior citizens; call the North Central College Box Office at 630-637-SHOW (7469) or visit northcentralcollege.edu/showtix.

A play about survival, trust and love, “The Cherub’s Mask” tells the story of a family divided by divorce and gathered by illness. When David Cohen rushes his daughter to the hospital with unusual symptoms, he is forced into a room with his recently separated wife, Astrid. Tensions rise as the parents reopen old wounds and their daughter’s health rapidly declines. While David and Astrid are divided by their divorce proceedings, they are connected by their daughter and fight to find answers for her illness.

“The play came from a desire to examine the roles that we play within our lives,” says Morsovillo. “As children, we tend to revere our parents as something above human. After a divorce, it becomes apparent to children that their parents are human beings who make mistakes. As a director, I hope to examine these complexities.”

Lindberg adds, “The characters have to decide if self-preservation is less or more important than the preservation of those they love. Everyone reacts to these things in different ways.”

“The Cherub’s Mask” contains some adult language and themes. The subject matter also may trigger individuals who have experienced divorce or an ill child.

This play is part of North Central’s Student Directed Series. Members of the theatre faculty invite students to submit a proposal to direct their own theatrical productions and only the best are chosen. Morsovillo’s (photo, right) is one of three selected for the year.

The cast for “The Cherub’s Mask” is (role, name, town, year, major):
David: John Bihun of Oak Brook, a junior majoring in marketing and broadcast communication
Astrid: Nicole Borowski of Itasca, a junior majoring in theatre
Emmy: Ali McGarel of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre and marketing
Doctor: Tyler Meyers of Elmwood, a freshman majoring in theatre and communication
Nurse: Miranda Harris of Normal, a junior majoring in musical theatre and theatre

The student crew is (role, name, town, year, major):
Director: Jack Morsovillo (photo, right) of Franklin Park, a junior majoring in theatre
Stage manager/scenic designer: Stephan Kossak of Somonauk, a junior majoring in theatre and theatrical design and technology
Assistant stage manager: Elizabeth Miller of Alton, a freshman majoring in theatre and business
Sound designer: Tom Noesen of Naperville, a junior majoring in theatrical design and technology
Light designer: Alex Poe of Thousand Oaks, Calif., a freshman majoring in theatre
Costume/hair/Makeup designer: Caitlin O’Brien of Naperville, a freshman majoring in theatre
Props master/movement coach: Sarah Rosenberg of Arlington Heights, a sophomore majoring in theatre and Spanish

This production is among many ongoing programs at North Central College to enrich and broaden the cultural and academic outlook for the College and community. North Central offers a variety of venues accommodating a rich range of local and world-class events, performances and space needs for the public. For a comprehensive schedule of musical performances, theatrical and dance productions, art exhibits and more, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show or call the box office at 630-637-SHOW (7469).