At NCC, Arts Season Looks Finer Than Fine

Jared Grebner has a lot to live up to.

This fall, the North Central College senior is directing "The Mousetrap," a beloved mystery by Agatha Christie. It's a play that's been performed continuously in London since 1952, making it the longest running show of the modern era.

"I just hope it's going to be an all-inclusive theater experience," he said, adding that the murder mystery has a campy, British-flavored humor. 

Fine arts coordinators said the play — part of the student-directed series — is one of more than 150 performances, art gallery exhibits, theater events and musical guests to be featured during the 2010-2011 academic year at NCC. 

"This is our biggest season to date," said Ted Slowik, a spokesman for the college. "With each passing season, we're getting more and more established and we're attracting bigger name artists who are filling every single seat at every single venue, every single weekend. There's always something going on."

NCC has four venues for performances: Wentz Concert Hall, Madden Theatre, Pfeiffer Hall and Thrust Stage. Each has its own defining architecture, acoustics and atmosphere that set the tone for the cast and the audience, coordinators said.

Brian Lynch, NCC director of fine arts, said the theaters draw a wide variety of artists to the college and "there is literally something for everyone."

"Not only do we have performers for every taste, but we have spaces for every artist," Lynch said, adding that this season includes performances by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, LeAnn Rimes and Boyz II Men. "We try to bring the best entertainment that's available to Naperville."

Other shows this fine arts season include "Legends of Sleepy Hollow," an original production based on the classic short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow;"  a performance by the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra; and the holiday favorite "A Christmas Carol."

In addition, NCC will become one of the first colleges in the nation to feature Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera," Lynch said, adding, "yes, we are going to drop a chandelier."

NCC senior Angie Snodgrass said she plans to audition for "Phantom." Snodgrass is double majoring in theater performance and psychology. She began her fine arts career as a freshman, working behind the scenes, but she said it really took off during her sophomore year when "one of the fine arts coordinators gave me a chance."

"They are incredibly encouraging of every student and their talents, but more importantly, they're invested in giving students a well-rounded education," Snodgrass said. "If you're in the theater realm, you have to be knowledgeable about the world around you. Our instructors ensure that lesson resonates with us."

The student-directed series, in particular, gives participants the chance to showcase their creativity, students said. 

"You can put your own spin on things," said Grebner, who is majoring in theater and business for theater administration. "We can get experience here before we hit the working world."

Aside from creative touches, Grebner and Snodgrass said their goal is to create well-orchestrated shows that are close replicas of how they were first introduced— whether on Broadway, in London or in a storybook.

Lynch said tickets to all the season's shows are going fast. He encouraged all members of the Naperville community to visit NCC, saying, "You won't regret it."

"What I would like people to do is really broaden their horizons and stretch the limits of what they want to see," he said. "Everybody should come and see everything."

For more information or to purchase tickets to any of the upcoming shows at North Central College, call 630-637-SHOW or visit http://finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.