NGU’s spring rendition: “Jane Eyre, the Musical”
Photo by Seth Atkins
Treasure Hardwick, Staff Writer
As the school year gets busier and assignments pile up, NGU is offering a way to sit back, relax and enjoy a show.
This spring, NGU’s school of theatre is preforming “Jane Eyre, the Musical.” The show is a beloved classic based on a Charlotte Brontë novel and is set up as a memory musical.
The musical focuses on the main character, Jane, who looks on both her younger and future self. The show follows her through her difficult childhood as an orphan and leads into her exciting yet challenging adulthood where she works as a governess.
In the musical, Jane meets a dashing man named Edward who she is immediately drawn to. Though there are many twists and turns throughout the plot, the story ends with a powerful message of forgiveness and redemption.
The title character, Jane Eyre, will be played by senior musical theatre major Carmen Wells.
The younger version of Jane will be played by Wells’ younger sister, Claire Wells. The dashing and mysterious Edward Fairfax Rochester will be played by Dylan Thompson.
There is also around 25 additional cast members playing various characters and performing ensemble parts.
Bess Park, a theatre professor at NGU and the show’s set designer, hopes the audience will deeply enjoy the play and appreciate its inspiring message.
“Jane Eyre is a story of hope, redemption, faith, forgiveness and recognition of God’s undying love even in some of the harshest situations. The musical is soaring and beautiful,” Park said.
As the show’s designer, Park wants the musical, as well as the set, to captivate the audience and allow people to forget about their worries for a little while.
She said, “From my perspective, as the scenic, lighting and projection designer, I’m hopeful the audience will experience an immersive feeling into the world of the play.”
The set will display the creativity of the NGU theatre team.
“We are attempting to use the entire theatre with a full live orchestra in a very unique way,” Park said.
Amy Dunlap, the theatre department chair, described the musical as one of the boldest productions that the department has ever achieved.
“It is an ambitious undertaking for our department, and I can’t wait for our community to experience the show,” Dunlap said.
Dunlap explained how each member has worked incredibly hard and pushed themselves to accomplish wonderful feats. The cast is excited to show their hard work and display their creativity through the classic musical.
“Jane Eyre, the Musical” will be performed in the Billingsley theatre at North Greenville University.
Opening night is Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. The show will also be held on the following dates: April 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. Each showing will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m. and end at 9:00 p.m.
