U-M Atheletes featured alongside drama students in Archibald Macleish’s J.B.

Kerianne Tupac

November 2007

Ann Arbor – The U-M Department Theatre & Drama presents Archibald MacLeish’s Pulitzer and Tony Awardwinning J.B.  This drama is an exalting morality play based on the biblical story of Job. Interested in mixing populations within the large U-M student community, stage director Philip Kerr approached the U-M Athletic Department last spring in regards to involving student athletes through an independent study class in the production. J.B. plays December 6 at 7:30PM, December 7 & 8 at 8PM, and December 9 at 2PM in the Power Center in Ann Arbor. It is directed by Department of Theatre & Drama Professor Philip Kerr, whose work was last seen in The Gold Diggers. The Department’s production of J.B. features an ensemble of students from the Department of Theatre & Drama as well as four student athletes from the U-M football team: quarterback Chad Henne, captain Jake Long, safety Jamar Adams, and defensive tackle Will Johnson. The players portray the ringmaster, a strong man, an acrobat, and a cannon daredevil respectively as part of the larger circus ensemble that serve as the backdrop and instigators of the drama.

J.B. uses the backdrop of a circus to rework the classic story of Job. Two members of a traveling circus, Mr. Zuss and Nickles, take up the roles of God and the Devil respectively to test the faith of man. Nickles insists that inordinate suffering must surely cause one to doubt the existence of a benevolent God, thus begins the play within the play. J.B. and his wife Sarah lead a serene and comfortable life with their five children. As Zuss and Nickles begin their manipulations, J.B. loses his family, wealth, and health in rapid succession. Faced with the spiritual inquiry of why humans must suffer, J.B.’s faith is tested as his world falls apart around him.

From left: UM Football players Chad Henne, Jamar Adams, Jake Long, and Will Johnson

look at the set for "J.B." with scenic designer Vincent Mountain (second from right).

Kerr’s inclusion of student athletes in his productions is not new, with athletes participating in his productions of Tartuffe (1990) and Our Town (1993). He states, “The level of ability of athletes at this university is high. Most are recruited, very talented, and project the hope of a professional career post graduation. Consequently, their college experience is somewhat limited by a large demand of time devoted to training. Athletes and actors have a lot in common. Our drama students also often get caught in the single web of their own programmatic work.”

Kerr’s pitch for athletes participating in J.B. was met with interest and enthusiasm from the Athletic Department’s Associate Athletic Director and head of the Academic Success Program Shari Acho. Athlete participation in productions entails the same commitment as is demanded of theatre concentrators, and is taken for academic credit. “I have promised adventure, new challenges, new populations and experience, and not to place them in any situations which they could not fulfill,” states Kerr. “No one will play Hamlet, but they will be fully participating in the ensemble of theatre with all the attendant responsibility and educational value.”

According to Kerr, past efforts have worked well. “While high caliber athletes are unable to fulfill schedules that would allow them to concentrate in theatre, they have willingly and enthusiastically participated in classes and productions. Having undertaken the challenge of coming to see productions on their own, they often bring friends and freely admit that such an evening out would never have occurred to them had they not connected with department activity.” Indeed, after appearing in a minor role in Our Town, former U-M lineman Shawn Miller brought his friends from the team to see all the plays offered by the Department. “Shawn said they were nervous about coming, but loved the shows. People lead to people,” states Kerr.

Ticket prices for J.B. are $24 and $18 reserved seating with students only $9 with ID. Tickets are available in person at the League Ticket Office, located within the Michigan League. The Ticket Office is open from 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday and 10am-1pm on Saturday. Order by phone at (734) 764-2538.

The Thursday, December 6, performance will feature American Sign Language interpretation for the hearing impaired.