Auditions for the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "J.B." by Archibald MacLeish will be at the Performing Arts Center of Moorpark College on Thurs. and Fri., Dec. 7 and 8 from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Call backs will be Mon., Dec. 11 from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Directed by Moorpark College faculty member John Loprieno, "J.B." will be part of the "Year of Science and Religion" program that has been running on campus.

Auditions are open to the entire community and will require registration in the college Theatre Production class.

"J.B." mingles biblical and contemporary matter to create a poignant commentary on the book of Job and addresses the tough questions that are at the core of many religious beliefs.

"The book of Job has perhaps been the greatest example of

mankind's attempt to understand the true nature of God," said Loprieno. "It speaks to anyone who has ever raised his or her head to the sky and asked 'Why?'"

In the play, J.B. is a devout, wealthy and charitable businessman whom Satan runs through the wringer. In a play within the play, two circus vendors, Zuss and Nickles, assume the roles of God and Satan. As they watch the life

of J.B. unfold, they comment on events and their own characters. A staunch humanist, MacLeish merged the human and divine.

"Our labor always," MacLeish wrote, "is to learn through suffering to love."

"The circus setting allows us to really utilize the wonderful main stage space at Moorpark," said Loprieno. "We're looking for all physical types and anyone with special abilities such as juggling, mime or acrobatic skills."

Performances of "J.B." will be on the Main Stage of the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center on March 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 at 8 p.m., and March 25 at 2 p.m.

For information and tickets, visit www.MoorparkCollege.edu/ Theatre.

Tickets can now be purchased online or by calling the box office at (805) 378-1485.