Christopher Corrigan ’16 directs student cast, crew in comedy of manners without manners

North Central College presents the triple Tony Award-winning comedy “God of Carnage” directed by senior Christopher Corrigan May 5-7.

Three performances will be staged at 7:30 p.m. May 5, 6 and 7 in the College’s Madden Theatre at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. 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. This production contains adult language and may not be suitable for younger audiences.
 
In Yazmina Reza’s comedy of manners without manners, two sets of parents meet up to solve a squabble between their children. Benjamin has knocked out two of Henry’s teeth with a stick in a playground fight. As the parents try to decide the best course of action to repair the wrong, their civility quickly turns into torment, tantrums and tears.

The playwright has created a world that invites the audience to look at its own behaviors and treatment of others, says director senior Christopher Corrigan. “While the characters in ‘God of Carnage’ believe they’re acting in a selfless manner, they find they’re actually being very self-serving,” Corrigan says. “In today’s world, it’s common to come across individuals who feel they have all the answers and can solve all the problems. In the end, Reza has us asking the question, ‘What do we know?’ After all, we might not be as right as we think we are, and it might be good to listen to the world around us.”

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. Corrigan’s is one of three selected for the year.

The cast for “God of Carnage” is (role, name, town, year, major):
Michael: Jack Morsovillo of Franklin Park, a senior majoring in theatre
Veronica: Bridget Adams-King of Western Springs, a freshman majoring in musical theatre
Annette: Anne Lorentzen of Sequim, Wash., a junior majoring in musical theatre
Alan: John Bihun of Oak Brook, a junior majoring in marketing and broadcast communication

The crew is (role, name, town, year, major):
Director: Christopher Corrigan of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Stage manager: Brittney Collins of Sullivan, Ill., a senior majoring in theatre
Assistant stage manager: Miranda Harris of Normal, a junior majoring in theatre and musical theatre
Technical director: Greg Johnson of Wheaton, a senior majoring in theatre
Scenic design, special effects design: Caitlyn Woods of Naperville, a senior majoring in theatre
Hair and makeup, prop design: Samantha Hess of Decatur, Mich., a senior majoring in theatre and musical theatre; and Christine Madden of Sioux City, Iowa, a senior majoring in theatre
Costume design: Lexii Gravis of Montgomery, a freshman majoring in musical theatre and organizational communication
Sound design: Tom Noesen of Naperville, a junior majoring in theatre
Lighting design: Sara Monteleone of West Chicago, a junior majoring in musical theatre
Publicity: Jonna Sekowski of Winfield, a senior majoring in organizational communication

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.