College production of 'JB' tackles tough issues

JOB'S CHILDREN- The youngest actors in the "JB" cast are Zach Anderson, Hannah Bailey, Tony Berry and Skye Clark.

Moorpark College's Performing Arts Department announces the casting of "JB" by Archibald MacLeish, to be performed March 23 through 31 at the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center as part of the Year of Science and Religion program.

"JB," which won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1958, 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.

In this production set in modern times, 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 J.B.'s life unfold, they comment on events and their own characters.

As a humanist, MacLeish merged the human and the divine. "Our labor always," MacLeish wrote, "is to learn through suffering to love."

The production is directed by Moorpark College Theatre Arts faculty member John Loprieno.

Playing Zuss is Jack McGee of Thousand Oaks, with Kamahni Huck of Newbury Park in the role of Nickles. The title role of JB is played by Jodi Solbrig of Thousand Oaks, and Karolina Augstyn-Mole of Simi Valley plays his wife, Sarah.

Job's children are portrayed by a quartet of child actors.

Skye Clark of Bell Canyon plays Rebecca. Skye is a thirdgrader at Round Meadow Elementary School. She dances at Carousel Studios, taking classes in tap, ballet, jazz and musical theater. She has been acting and dancing since she was three.

Tory Berry of Moorpark plays Jolly. She is a 13-year-old seventh-grader at Chaparral Middle School. She has previously acted in productions in Theatre on High Street in Moorpark, at drama camps and in church-related plays.

Zach Anderson of Simi Valley is in the role of Boy. His father, Bob Anderson, also appears in the show.

Hannah Bailey of Moorpark plays Mary. Hannah, 13, is a seventh-grader at Chaparral Middle School, where she is in the chamber chorus. She previously played Gollum and Lady Macbeth at Walnut Canyon School and has taken dance and acting classes at Moorpark College since she was 9.

The rest of the ensemble cast includes William Boller of Moorpark, Ian Freeman and Krissi Purcell of Thousand Oaks, Vincent Miller of Camarillo, Hanna Ordelheide and Andy Shultz of Agoura Hills, Carmen Saleme of Newbury Park, Bonnyjean Hoffert of Oak Park, and Kire' Horton, Tina Thompson, Eric Wallworth, Bob Anderson, Robyn Thomas and Kelby Cross of Simi Valley.

Show times for "JB" are 8 p.m. March 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31; 3 p.m. Sun., March 25; and 1:30 p.m. Wed., March 28.

Tickets for adults are $15, for students and seniors $9 and for children under 12 and staff are $8.

For information or tickets, call the box office at (805) 3781485, or purchase tickets online at www.MoorparkCollege.edu/ theater.