02.02.2016

Judson Theatre’s spring production, “Light of the World,” featuring Jeannette Clift George’s play “John, His Story,” will run Thursday–Sunday, March 17, 18, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the Thulin Performance Center in the Thompson Center (1151 N. State St., Elgin).

This will not be a typical play. It will be the second in the Ars Liturgica series. Ars Liturgica (the Latin term meaning “worship arts”) refers to the use of various worship arts in a production. The theatre department produced its first, “Slavery: Past, Present and Future,” during the spring 2014 season.

The spring 2016 event will be directed by local stage actress Naomi Rogers, who herself acted in (Overshadowed Theatrical Productions) and directed (for Heritage Home School Workshops) the same play in 2010 and 2012, respectively. Judson’s Theatre Department Director Kimberly Schmidt will oversee the worship arts elements of the performance, and student Adam Moxness will direct choreography.

The play itself chronicles the seven great signs performed by Jesus Christ and is told through eyewitness accounts, based on the Gospel of John.

Rogers says viewers can expect this production to take a few liberties with the original screenplay. Artwork will be displayed in the Thompson Center hallways as part of the production, and at least one dance number has been added. Additionally, the original cast called for four actors, but this production will include seven actors playing 28 different roles.

“I hope that people can relate in some way to those characters that witnessed the miracles, everyday people, and think about how they would’ve have reacted to see Jesus performing miracles,” says Rogers.

Ultimately, she hopes the play inspires the audience “to open their Bibles and read the Book of John.”

“John, His Story” will run March 17, 18, 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the Thulin Performance Center in the Thompson Center (1151 N. State St., Elgin). For tickets, please call 847-628-2625 or email [email protected].