Displaying items by tag: Northlight Theatre

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, opens its new theater in Evanston with The Front Page, Jeffrey Hatcher's world premiere adaption of the rapid-fire classic comedy that also inspired the 1940 film His Girl Friday. The play, based on the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur and directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones, runs September 9-October 18, 2026, at the company's new home at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston. The opening is Friday, September 18 at 7:30pm.

Tickets, starting at $36, are now available at northlight.org or 847.563.8400. Season subscriptions are also available at northlight.org/subscribe or 847.563.8400. With its wide range of ticket prices, discounted subscription packages and complimentary parking at the 1800 Maple Garage, Northlight remains of one of the best theatrical values in Chicagoland. Package options include traditional 5-Play Subscriptions and 4-Ticket Flex Passes.

In a 1930s Chicago press room, wise-cracking reporters are abuzz with the latest news: ace reporter Hildy Johnson is quitting her job and getting married. Editor Walter Burns has no intention of letting her go– out of the newsroom, or into the arms of another man. When a death row convict manages a daring escape, Walter wrangles Hildy into covering one last irresistible story, a tangle of rival reporters, crooked politicians, and a scoop too big to ignore!  

The cast features Kate Fry (Hildy Johnson), Timothy Edward Kane (Walter Burns), Joe Dempsey (McCue), William Dick (Sheriff Hartman), John Drea (Earl Williams), Cindy Gold (Mrs. Hefflefinger), Mark David Kaplan (Bensinger), Tim Kazurinsky (Pincus), John Lister (The Mayor), Peter Moore (Brad Hefflefinger), Sadieh Rifai (Molle Malloy), Kelan Smith (Kruger), and Guy Van Swearingen (Endicott).

The creative team Jeff Kmiec (set design), Izumi Inaba (costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design), and Andre Pluess (sound design). The stage manager is Katie Klemme, resident properties supervisor is Nick Bartleson, and the resident violence and intimacy coordinator is Jyreika Guest.

BJ Jones comments, "To open our new home in Evanston, we are celebrating our roots with a brand new adaptation of The Front Page, a nearly 100-year-old play set in Chicago, by Chicago playwrights and with local stars, including Evanston residents Kate Fry, Tim Kane and Tim Kazurinsky. The play is refreshed and adapted by one of America's most produced playwrights Jeffrey Hatcher, who also wrote the adaptation of Dial M for Murder seen at Northlight in 2023."

The new state-of-the-art facility is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features approximately 285 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown Evanston, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.

Convenient, free parking is available for all Northlight patrons at the 1800 Maple Self Park Garage. Details and locations, including ADA parking, are available at northlight.org/location.

The 2026-27 Season is sponsored in part by Paul Epner and Janet Gans Epner. 

Northlight's production of The Front Page is sponsored in part by Sandra and Bill Farrow, Donna and Gene Frett, Susan and Henry Gaud, Barbara Goodman and Seth Weinberger, Joan and Guy Gunzberg, Paul and Leslie Lehner, Ginny Noyes, Bob Regan and Cindy Clark, Bob and Charlene Shaw, Anne and Greg Taubeneck.

The World Premiere of The Front Page 

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher 

From the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur 

Directed by BJ Jones 

Dates: September 9 - October 18, 2026 

Cast: Kate Fry (Hildy Johnson), Timothy Edward Kane (Walter Burns), Joe Dempsey (McCue), William Dick (Sheriff Hartman), John Drea (Earl Williams), Cindy Gold (Mrs. Hefflefinger), Mark David Kaplan (Bensinger), Tim Kazurinsky (Pincus), John Lister (The Mayor), Peter Moore (Brad Hefflefinger), Sadieh Rifai (Molle Malloy), Kelan Smith (Kruger), and Guy Van Swearingen (Endicott).

Creative team: Jeff Kmiec (set design), Izumi Inaba (costume design), JR Lederle (lighting design), and Andre Pluess (sound design). The stage manager is Katie Klemme, resident properties supervisor is Nick Bartleson, and the resident violence and intimacy coordinator is Jyreika Guest.

Tickets:

Box Office: 1012 Church Street in Evanston, northlight.org, 847.563.8400

Previews (September 9-September 17): start at $36

Regular run (September 19-October 18): start at $50

Season-long discounts, subject to availability:

Student tickets: $20

Rush seats for evening performances available at 3pm daily: $20

Evanston resident discount: 10% off Friday performances

Schedule:

Tuesdays: 7:30pm

Wednesdays: 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Thursdays: 7:30pm

Fridays: 7:30pm

Saturdays: 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Sundays: 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Accessible Performances:     

Audio Description/Touch Tour: Saturday, October 3 at 2:00pm

Open Captioning: Friday, October 2 at 7:30pm and Saturday, October 3 at 2:00pm

Notes of Interest:

• Northlight Theatre's new theater, education, and community space is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features 287 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.
• The opening of Front Page follows a series of opening events for Northlight's new home, including a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 28, 2026, and the Grand Opening Gala, "Celebrating our Past, Building our Future," on Saturday, August 15, marking the culmination of the company's 50^th Anniversary Season and the beginning of a new era in Evanston.
• BJ Jones, Kate Fry, Timothy Edward Kane, Tim Kazurinsky, and John Lister are all Evanston residents and frequent artists at Northlight.
• Married couple Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane, who lead the cast of The Front Page, previously performed together in Birthday Candles and The Miser. Kate also appeared at Northlight in Mother of the Maid, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, and Outside Mullingar. Timothy has also been seen at Northlight in Gaslight, Faceless, Lost in Yonkers, and She Stoops to Conquer.

About the Artists

BJ Jones (Director and Northlight Artistic Director) is entering his 27th season as Artistic Director of Northlight. Mr. Jones is a two-time Joseph Jefferson Award-winning actor and a three-time nominated director. He's directed the world premieres of First Lady of Television, Brooklyn Laundry, Charm (Jeff Award Best New Play), The Outgoing Tide (Jeff Award Best New Play), White Guy on the Bus (Jeff Nominated Best New Play), Chapatti (Jeff Nominated Best New Play), Better Late, and Rounding Third. Notably, he has directed productions of Outside Mullingar, Grey Gardens, The Price, The Lieutenant of Innishmore, Andy Warhol in Iran, and The Beauty Queen of Leenane. As a producer, he has guided the three world premieres of The Christmas at Pemberley trilogy, Shining Lives, The Last Five Years, and Studs Terkel's The Good War. Additional directorial credits include Pitmen Painters (Timeline, Jeff Award Best Production); 100 Saints You Should Know (Steppenwolf); Glengarry Glen Ross (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta, Suzi Bass nomination Best Director); The Lady with All the Answers (Cherry Lane, New York); Animal Crackers (Baltimore Center Stage); Three Musketeers, The Tempest, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing (Utah Shakespeare Festival), and four productions at the Galway International Arts Festival. As a performer, he has appeared at Northlight, Goodman, Steppenwolf, Court, and other theatres throughout Chicago. Film/TV credits include The Fugitive, Body Double, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, Early Edition, Cupid, and Turks, among others.

Joe Dempsey (McCue) is so very happy to be in the inaugural production at Northlight's new home. Past Northlight shows include The First Lady of Television, The Mousetrap, Faceless, Inherit the Wind, and All in the Timing. He's also worked at Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass, Court, Paramount, Theatre Wit, Remy Bumppo, many others, and most recently at Drury Lane Oak Brook, performing the titular role in Father of the Bride. Joe is an alum of the Neo-Futurists and The Second City National Touring Company. Congrats to BJ, Tim, and the Northlight staff on the new digs!

John Drea (Earl Williams) Northlight: Little Women (Jeff Nomination). Chicago: Little Bear Ridge Road (Steppenwolf), The Sound Inside (Goodman), The Da Vinci Code (Drury Lane), A Lie of the Mind (Raven). Broadway: Death of a Salesman, Little Bear Ridge Road. Regional: American Players Theatre, Constellation Stage & Screen. Television: Monster. Film: Patient.

William Dick (Sheriff Hartman) Northlight: The First Lady Of Television, The Book Of Will, The Odd Couple; Steppenwolf: Amadeus, Choir Boy (Jeff Award-Ensemble); Goodman: Inherit The Wind, A Christmas Carol, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Father Comes Home From The Wars, Blind Date; Chicago Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors, All's Well That Ends Well, among many; TimeLine: The Pitmen Painters (Jeff Award-Ensemble). Regional: Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, The Little Foxes (Asolo Repertory); Henry IV, 1&2 (Notre Dame Shakespeare Festival); plus Milwaukee Repertory, Madison Repertory, and Los Angeles Theatre Center. TV: Dark Matter, Emperor of Ocean Park, A League of Their Own, 4400, Fargo, Chicago Fire, Empire. Film: Fred Claus, Stranger Than Fiction, The Break Up, The Merry Gentleman, Oz the Great and Powerful, The Company.

Kate Fry (Hildy Johnson) Northlight: Birthday Candles, Mother of the Maid, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Outside Mullingar, and The Miser. Chicago: The Cherry Orchard, The Winter's Tale, Ah, Wilderness! (Goodman); The Belle of Amherst, Electra, The Hard Problem and others (Court); Leopoldstadt, Marjorie Prime, Hedda Gabler, A Minister's Wife, Oh Coward! (Writers); and productions with Victory Gardens, Chicago Shakespeare, Apple Tree Theatre, and Marriott Theatre. Regional: Center Theatre Group, McCarter Theatre Center, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Lincoln Center. TV credits include: Empire (Fox), Boss (Starz), Chicago PD (NBC), and Proven Innocent (Fox). She has received four Joseph Jefferson awards, the local Sarah Siddons award, the After Dark award, and Chicago Magazine's actress of the year. Kate is married to actor/teacher Timothy Edward Kane; they have two sons.

Cindy Gold (Mrs. Hefflefinger) Chicago credits: The First Lady of Television, Pride and Prejudice, Jekyll and Hyde, Mothers and Sons, and Awake and Sing (Northlight); The Most Spectacularly Lamentable Trial of Miz Martha Washington (Steppenwolf); Measure for Measure, Christmas Carol (Goodman); Wipeout (Rivendell); Indecent (Victory Gardens); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Drury Lane); Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare), Showboat, My Fair Lady (Lyric Opera). Regional: The Cake (Asolo Theatre); Showboat, Daughter of the Regiment (The Kennedy Center); Music Man (Glimmerglass Opera); and several summers with Peninsula Players. She won a Jeff Award for her performance in Loving Repeating. Recent TV appearances include Work in Progress, Empire, Chicago Fire, and Leverage. Film: Ghostlight, I Used to Go Here. Cindy is Professor Emeritus of Theatre at Northwestern University. Represented by Stewart Talent.

Timothy Edward Kane (Walter Burns) is pleased to return to Northlight, having previously appeared in Gaslight, Birthday Candles, Faceless, Lost in Yonkers, The Miser, and She Stoops to Conquer. Other Chicago credits include work with Court Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Writers Theatre, Rivendell, TimeLine, Goodman, and Steppenwolf. International and Regional credits: The Royal Shakespeare Company (UK), The Mark Taper Forum, Notre Dame Shakespeare, Peninsula Players, and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. TV: Chicago P.D. (NBC), Chicago Fire (NBC), and Empire (FOX). Awards: two Jeff Awards, AfterDark, and Chicago Magazine's actor of the year. Mr. Kane is married to actress Kate Fry, with whom he has two sons; he is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Loyola University Chicago.

Mark David Kaplan (Bensinger) has received three Joseph Jefferson Awards – for Les Misérables, Ragtime, and Forbidden Broadway. Select theatre: First Lady of Television and Mr. Dicken's Hat (Northlight); The Diary of Anne Frank (People's Light); Fiddler on the Roof (Drury Lane/Lyric Opera); Titanic (Marriott); No Man's Land (Steppenwolf); Clue (Mercury); The Band's Visit (TheatreSquared); Kinky Boots (Paramount); and premieres with Chicago Shakespeare, About Face, Goodman, and Skylight Theatres. Concert appearances: She Loves Me (w/Bryce Pinkham); Cabaret (Gulf Coast Symphony); and Ragtime  - opposite Ashley Brown (Cincinnati Pops). Mark toured the US as Zazu in The Lion King. TV: Utopia (Amazon); Chicago Fire (NBC). Film: Adult Children and the upcoming Patient. Mark is a part of Season of Concern, an organization that supports those who work in the performing arts.

Tim Kazurinsky (Pincus) got his start at Chicago's Second City Theatre. Movie appearances include Neighbors, Somewhere in Time, and three Police Academy films.  A former cast member of NBC's Saturday Night Live, Tim came home to Chicago to co-write such screenplays as My Bodyguard, About Last Night..., The Cherokee Kid, and For Keeps. He was nominated for a BAFTA and Writers' Guild Award for his screenplay for Strange Relations, starring Julie Walters, Paul Reiser, and dear friend George Wendt. Tim still loves performing and has appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Still Standing, and According to Jim in guest star roles. He has previously appeared at Northlight in The Odd Couple and Funnyman. Tim lives in Evanston with his wife Marcia, kids Zoe & Pete, and Zippy the dog.

John Lister (The Mayor) returns for his sixth production with Northlight, having previously appeared in Tom Jones, She Stoops To Conquer, Inherit The Wind, Red Herring, and Lady Windermere's Fan. Theatre credits include numerous productions with Steppenwolf, Writers, The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, APT, and Lyric Opera. Film and TV credits include Public Enemies (Universal), Animals (Oscilloscope), The Secret Santa (TLC), Never Not Yours (Adult Children), Chicago Fire (NBC), Chicago Med (NBC), Patriot (Amazon), easy (Netflix), The Red Line (CBS), and Dark Matter (Apple TV+). John is a proud union member, represented by Stewart Talent Management. He is especially excited to be working for the first time with Artistic Director BJ Jones.

Peter Moore (Brad Hefflefinger) Is a founding member and Artistic Director of Steep Theatre where he has performed in numerous productions over the last 25 years, including A Slow Air, The Writer, Light Falls, Pomona, Birdland, Brilliant Adventures, Harper Regan, If There Is I Haven't Found It Yet, A Brief History of Helen of Troy, and some other impossibly long titles. Other credits: I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, The Crucible, and August: Osage County (U/S) (Steppenwolf); Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Writers); In the Canyon (Jackalope); The Downpour, (Route 66 Theatre). Film & TV: Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, Chicago Justice (NBC); Emperor of Ocean Park (MGM+); The Red Line (CBS); and the Bollywood blockbuster Dhoom 3. Pete is represented by Gray Talent Group.

Sadieh Rifai (Mollie Mallory) is a Chicago-based actor, playwright, and graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. A recipient of the prestigious 2011 Princess Grace Award, she is an ensemble member at A Red Orchid Theatre, where her credits include The Targeted, Do You Feel Anger?, An Evening at the Talk House, and the world premiere of Grey House. She is making her Northlight Theatre debut and has performed across major regional stages, appearing in You Will Get Sick (Steppenwolf); Support Group for Men, A Christmas Carol (Goodman); The Nativity Variations (Milwaukee Repertory); and the world premiere of The Humans (American Theatre Company). Film: All Happy Families and The Wise Kids. Television: Shining Girls, Somebody Somewhere, Patriot, The Red Line, and Bettendorf Talks.

Kelan M. Smith (Kruger) is thrilled to return to Northlight for this exciting world premiere! Chicago credits include The Porch on Windy Hill (Northlight); Spring Awakening, Pump Boys and Dinettes (Porchlight); Jekyll and Hyde, Amélie (Kokandy); Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (Marriott); Sunny Afternoon, The Lord of the Rings (Chicago Shakespeare); Ring of Fire (Drury Lane); The Choir of Man (Apollo); Camp Rock (The Beautiful City Project); Bright Star (Boho Theatre), Haymarket (Underscore Theatre). Regional/International credits include The Lord of the Rings (Auckland Civic Theatre); Plaid Tidings, Lost Highway, Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (Timber Lake Playhouse); and Once (Bristol Valley Theatre). Love to Kara, and his late brother Riley.www.kelanmsmith.com

Guy Van Swearingen (Endicott) Northlight Theatre debut. Off-Broadway: The Opponent (59E59). Select Regional: Berlin, Arsenic and Old Lace (Court); Sweat (Huntington); Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (Goodman); Simpatico (McCarter); The Time of Your Life (Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, A.C.T.); Taking Care (Steppenwolf); Trouble In Mind (Timeline); Cleansed (Defiant); Eleven Rooms of Proust (Lookingglass, About Face, Goodman); Mann ist Mann (Famous Door). Founder of A Red Orchid with over 15 performance credits. TV: The Bear (FX); Power Book IV: Force (Starz); Chicago Fire (NBC); Fargo (F/X); The Red Line (CBS); Boss (Starz); The Beast (A&E). Film: Captive State (Lionsgate); Take Shelter (Sony); The Dilemma (Universal Pictures); The Merry Gentleman (Samuel Goldwyn); The Weatherman (Paramount); Ali (Sony Pictures). Former Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant. Agency: Paonessa Talent; Management: WEG Talent, NYC.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from BMO; Bulley & Andrews; Byline Bank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc.; Evanston Community Foundation; Franklin Square Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; Grumman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; John R Halligan Charitable Fund; Kirkland & Ellis; LionBird; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Mabadi Realty; Mammel Family Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Northwestern University; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family; Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation; The Schubert Foundation, Inc.; SLOAN; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Sullivan Family Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.

Founded in 1974 with its inaugural season in 1975-76, the organization has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 37 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.

Northlight Theatre's Board of Directors proudly presents Northlight Theatre's Grand Opening Gala, "Celebrating our Past, Building our Future," marking the culmination of the company's 50^th Anniversary Season and the beginning of a new era in Evanston. The Grand Opening benefit event will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Northlight Theatre, 1012 Church Street in Evanston, IL. Supporters and friends will enjoy an evening of food, fun, entertainment and more at Northlight's brand-new home in Evanston.

Musical entertainment will be by celebrated performers and Evanston natives Abby Mueller (Grammy nominee, Six: The Musical), Andrew Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Waitress and Beautiful) and Matt Mueller (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), with music direction by Northwestern University alumnus Ian Weinberger (Hamilton, Chess). The Gala evening's Master of Ceremonies is Rob Lindley and the auctioneer is Chris Hensley.

The evening on August 15 will kick off at 6:00pm with appetizers and cocktails in the lobby and food stations throughout the building. At 8:00pm guests will enter the brand-new 287-seat theatre for musical entertainment by siblings Abby, Andrew, Jessie, and Matt Mueller, accompanied by Ian Weinberger. These five born and bred Evanstonians have gone on to regional, national, and Broadway acclaim, and are coming home to Evanston for a rare joint appearance. The evening will continue with a live auction and paddle raise, followed by dessert, DJ and dancing in the second-floor rehearsal room.

The building's ribbon cutting will be held on July 28, 2026. The inaugural season in Evanston will begin on September 9, 2026, with the world premiere of The Front Page, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The production, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones and featuring Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane, runs September 9 - October 18, 2026 with the opening set for Friday, September 18, 2026.

Northlight Theatre's new theater, education, and community space is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features 287 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Opening our brand-new theatre in our founding hometown is a truly special moment. I cannot begin to list the artists, ticket buyers and donors who, over 50 years, delivered us to this moment. In their honor, we celebrate this special evening by sharing the outstanding, homegrown talent of the Muellers and the joy of welcoming our nearest and dearest supporters to our new stage.

Executive Director Timothy J. Evans adds, "After five decades, Northlight Theatre finally has a home of its own. A home in the heart of a revitalized downtown Evanston entertainment district steps from public transportation, parking, restaurants, shops, and Northwestern University. Our long-awaited homecoming to Evanston will transform the theatre landscape on the North Shore and Chicago. The New Northlight will serve as a vital place for exchanging ideas, storytelling, community gathering and a long-needed cultural hub for the many communities we serve. We can't wait to share it." 

Proceeds from the event will benefit Northlight Theatre's powerful work onstage, extensive youth education programs, and meaningful community partnerships, as well as the Arts for Everyone Free Ticket program which breaks down the barriers to accessing theatre starting with the price of a ticket.

Tickets are $500. Corporate and individual sponsorships are also available at levels from $5000 to $25,000. Tickets are available for purchase at northlight.org/gala. To inquire about sponsorships, contact Northlight Theatre at 847.563.8458.

The Gala Chair is Stacy Hetherington Simpson. The Gala Committee is Candace Corr, Timothy J. Evans, Sandra Farrow, Barb Goodman, Kim Hoopingarner, Abigail Kanes, Mikey Laird, Barbara Liss, Trimmy Stamell, and Nina Uziel-Miller.

The Northlight Board of Trustees is: Robert J. Regan, Chair; Julie Chernoff, Senior Vice-Chair; Donna Frett, Vice-Chair; Tobi Laczkowski, Vice-Chair; Paul Epner, Treasurer; Paul Lehner, Secretary; and Jim Allen, Percy Berger, Carole Cahill, Hamilton Chang, Jennifer W. Christensen, Diana Cohen, Northlight Theatre Executive Director Timothy Evans, Sandra H. Farrow, J. Douglas Gray, Freddi Greenberg, Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones, Barbara Liss, Dennis Marino, Mark McCarville, Joanell McKenna, Vasu Modekurti, Meghan Otis, Brenton Rogers, Michele Y. Rogers, Reetu Gowdar Sanders, Bob Silverman, Stacy Hetherington Simpson, Craig Smith, Kent Swanson, Nina Uziel-Miller, Dr. Eric Witherspoon, and Gifford Zimmerman.

Gala Sponsors to date are Premier Level: Bulley & Andrews, Tom Stringer Design Partners; Gold Level: Hagerty, Sloan; Silver Level: Endeavor Health, Exelon, Kirkland & Ellis, LionBird; Bronze Level: Byline Bank, CoBank, Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Grumman|Butkus Associates, Katten, Mabadi Group, Northwestern University Neighborhood and Community Relations, Quarles, UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement; Special Event Sponsors: Edward Jones, Golub & Company, GreenState Credit Union, John J. Cahill Inc, Mather, Nature's Perspective Landscaping, Romano Wealth Management, Rotary International,  Schuler Shook, Trulee Evanston; and Individual Sponsors: Ann & Brian Balusek, Marcia Caulkins, Paul Lehman and Ronna Stamm, The Martel Family, Mark McCarville, Joanell and Jim McKenna, The Lloyd Morgan Family, Judy Newton,  Sam and Marianne Oliva, Eleanor and William Revelle, Catherine and Bart Rocca, Ingrid and Bill Stafford, and Anne and Greg Taubeneck.

About the Artists

Abby Mueller (Performer) garnered a Drama Desk Award and Grammy nomination for originating the role of Jane Seymour in the Tony Award-winning hit Six: The Musical on Broadway. She can be heard on the landmark Original Broadway Cast Recording Six: Live on Opening Night. After originating the role of Carole for the First National Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Abby was brought back twice to reprise her critically acclaimed performance on Broadway. Other credits include Kinky Boots on Broadway and extensive regional roles. Favorites include Les Misérables (Fantine), The Last 5 Years (Cathy), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Miss Saigon (Ellen), The Three Musketeers (Constance), and 1776 (Abigail Adams). TV: The Equalizer, Evil, America's Got Talent, The Today Show, The View, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon. In addition to working with young people through masterclasses and private coaching, Abby enjoys performing her own cabaret concerts and being a guest vocalist with symphonies and arts organizations across the country. Check out her Broadway.com Vlog "Yas, Queen!" on YouTube, and follow Abby on social media @abcmuell!

Andrew Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston native and has watched his family on many a stage over the years. Chicago credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Jeff Award) and Little Shop of Horrors at Marriott Lincolnshire, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Translations, and Leopoldstadt at Writers Theatre, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera. Off-Broadway: Peter and the Starcatcher and Alice By Heart. With his brother, Matt: Man of La Mancha at Marriott and Peter and the Starcatcher at Drury Lane Oakbrook. With his sister, Jessie: Merrily We Roll Along at Music Theatre Co. With his sister, Abby: a handful of concerts. He has been a fan of his siblings for many years now and might be the reason Ian got tangled up in this whole situation. And he is thrilled for Northlight to bring live theater back to Evanston.

Jessie Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston-born Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist.  She was last seen on Broadway in Tracy Lett's The Minutes. Other recent credits include the Kennedy Center's Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, Julie Jordan in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel (Tony & Grammy nominations, Drama Desk Award), originating the roles of both Jenna in Waitress (Tony, DD & Grammy noms) and Carole King in Beautiful-The Carole King Musical (Tony, Grammy & DD Awards.) Concert appearances include Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Lyric Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Opera.  Film and Television: Steven Spielberg's The Post, A Good Person, Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, Hulu's Candy, and Lifetime's Patsy & Loretta.  She can be heard on Netflix' Centaurworld and Wondery's Melon's House Party. New studio recordings include My Heart Says Go and Diary of A Wimpy Kid, The Musical. She is an Arts Education champion for groups such as Rosie's Theatre Kids (rosiestheaterkids.org) and a long-time supporter of The Entertainment Community Fund (entertainmentcommunity.org), Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (broadwaycares.org), and Chicago's own Season of Concern (seasonofconcern.org). In her spare time, she enjoys singing with these 3 goofballs and playing her favorite role to date: Mom to Ollie! She is so excited to have live theatre back here in her home town!

Matt Mueller (Performer) Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley. Tour: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley, The Play That Goes Wrong – Chicago. Regional: Once (Writers Theatre), Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, Merry Wives (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Man of La Mancha (Marriott Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Drury Lane Theatre), Shining Lives (Northlight Theatre), Shakespeare in Love, Rhinoceros, Hero: the Musical (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Dial "M" for Murder (Indiana Repertory Theatre), The Mousetrap (Milwaukee Rep), Peter and the Starcatcher, Sense & Sensibility (Lyric Repertory Company), multiple productions at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and multiple productions of Woody Guthrie's American Song. Television includes: "Chicago Justice" Film includes: Popper Baxton's Sickly Stew.

Rob Lindley (Master of Ceremonies) Northlight audiences may know Rob's work from directing 2024's 2 Pianos 4 Hands and the Jeff Award-Winning hit Songs for Nobodies (2021) and appearing onstage in Andy Warhol in Iran and in Funnyman. Other acting credits include shows at Court Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Writers, Victory Garden, and About Face. Rob also appeared in Titanique (Broadway in Chicago/Porchlight) and in the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Rob has hosted and curated concerts for many Chicago organizations and theatres, most notably The Chicago Humanities Festival and Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the (Queer) Sacred Space Salon each month at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church. 

Ian Weinberger is the music director of Chess on Broadway. His other Broadway credits as music director and/or pianist include Hamilton, Freestyle Love Supreme, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Side Show, Rocky the Musical and Chaplin. Orchestrations/arrangements: Titanic, Disney's Zootopia and Moana Jr. Concerts: Orchestra of St. Luke's, Louisiana Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony. TV: Fosse/Verdon, The Eyes of the World, American Heart in WWI, The Tony Awards. Cast albums: Chess, A New Brain, The Christmas Schooner, The Theory of Relativity. He is a proud Evanston native and graduate of Northwestern University (music education/percussion performance) and NYU (jazz piano).

Chris Hensley (Auctioneer) is a nationally recognized, award-winning benefit auctioneer who helps nonprofit organizations turn generosity into lasting impact. Chris partners with charities across the country, leading high-energy live auctions and paddle raises that inspire giving. In 2025, Chris helped raise more than $30 million – and set a charity auction record with the sale of a Dale Chihuly Basket Series glass bowl. Chris was recently recognized as the nation's second-best charity auctioneer in the Bid Masters Finale, earning the top distinction for most funds raised among an elite field of peers.

Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.

Founded in 1974 with its inaugural season in 1975-76, the organization has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 37 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from BMO Harris Bank; Bulley & Andrews; Byline Bank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc.; The Field Foundation of Illinois; Full Circle Foundation; Grumman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; John R Halligan Charitable Fund; LionBird; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Mabadi Realty; Mammel Family Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Northwestern University; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Pritzker Foundation; The Schubert Foundation, Inc.; The Sullivan Family Foundation; The Weatherlow Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, proudly announces its inaugural season in the company's new home at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston. With its own venue built from the ground up, Northlight will open its doors with a celebratory gala planned for August 15, 2026, and the first public performance on September 9, 2026.  Northlight will welcome subscribers, supporters and the public in advance with opportunities to explore and celebrate the new venue.

The five-play 2026-2027 season, including three world premieres, opens with Jeffrey Hatcher's The Front Page, a world premiere adaptation of the rapid-fire classic comedy that also inspired the 1940 film His Girl Friday. The season continues with the world premiere of Lauren M. Gunderson's new love story All the World, followed by The American Five by Chess Jakobs, about the planning of the March on Washington and the speech that inspired Americans to act toward their shared vision of equality and justice for all. Northlight will then present the 2024 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Here There Are Blueberries by Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich. The season concludes with the world premiere of Art Manke's Pearl's in the House about the life and music of trail-blazer Pearl Bailey.

Subscriptions to the 2026-2027 Northlight Season are available at northlight.org/subscribe or 847.563.8400. With its wide range of ticket prices, discounted subscription packages and complimentary parking at the 1800 Maple Garage, Northlight remains of one of the best theatrical values in Chicagoland. Package options include traditional 5-Play Subscriptions and 4-Ticket Flex Passes.

The new state-of-the-art facility is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features approximately 285 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar/café in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Opening our brand-new theatre in our founding hometown is a truly special moment. I cannot begin to list the artists, ticket buyers and donors who, over 50 years, delivered us to this moment. In their honor we offer a season rendered by the finest of Chicago's artists, beginning with a refreshed Chicago classic, and continuing with world class work, presented through a local lens."

Executive Director Timothy J. Evans adds, "After five decades, Northlight Theatre finally has a home of its own. A home in the heart of a revitalized downtown Evanston entertainment district steps from public transportation, parking, restaurants, shops, and Northwestern University. Our long-awaited homecoming to Evanston will transform the theatre landscape on the North Shore and Chicago. The New Northlight will serve as a vital place for exchanging ideas, storytelling, community gathering and a long-needed cultural hub for the many communities we serve. We can't wait to share it." 

The 2026-2027 season includes:

The World Premiere of

The Front Page

Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher

From the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur

Directed by BJ Jones

Featuring Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane

September 9 - October 18, 2026

A world premiere adaptation of the rapid-fire classic comedy that also inspired the 1940 film His Girl Friday.

In a 1930s Chicago press room, wise-cracking reporters are abuzz with the latest news: ace reporter Hildy Johnson is quitting her job and getting married. Editor Walter Burns has no intention of letting her go– out of the newsroom, or into the arms of another man. When a death row convict manages a daring escape, Walter wrangles Hildy into covering one last irresistible story, a tangle of rival reporters, crooked politicians, and a scoop too big to ignore!

The World Premiere of

All the World

By Lauren M. Gunderson

Directed by Jessica Thebus

November 11 - December 20, 2026

'Tis the season for a love story! Gunderson's signature blend of romance, wit, and bittersweet beauty shines in this world premiere.

Two actors find themselves in an ever-shifting relationship during the most emotionally charged time of the year: the holidays. Set amidst the backstages and quick changes of the world's most beloved seasonal classics, they try to keep the mess of their private lives offstage, whether they're falling in love or falling apart. Surprising, heartbreaking, and hopeful, All the World reminds us why—year after year—we keep stepping into the light, telling the story, and leaving it all on the stage.

The American Five

By Chess Jakobs

Directed by Mikael Burke

February 3 - March 3, 2027

"In rousing resistance to injustice and inspiring cohesion and connection, this play is a triumph of doing what it's about!" – DC Theater Arts

"I have a dream..." The words that galvanized a nation weren't written alone. Through late nights and shared meals, differing approaches but collective dreams, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones plan the March on Washington and craft a speech to inspire Americans to act toward their shared vision of equality and justice for all. On their way to shaping a defining moment in the civil rights movement, five individuals became a family. Together, they became history.

Here There Are Blueberries
By Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich

Directed by Charles Newell

April 7 - May 17, 2027

2024 Pulitzer Prize Finalist | 2025 Lucille Lortel Award Winner for Outstanding Play | Two-time Helen Hayes Award Winner | Named one of the "10 Best Plays of 2024" by The Wall Street Journal

In 2007, a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. As curators unravel the shocking truth behind the images, the album soon makes headlines and ignites a debate that reverberates far beyond the museum walls. Based on real events, Here There Are Blueberries tells the story of these historical photographs—what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity.

The World Premiere of

Pearl's in the House

By Art Manke

Directed by Kenneth L. Roberson

Featuring E. Faye Butler

June 7 - July 18, 2027

The life and music of trail-blazer Pearl Bailey take center stage in this compelling world premiere.

Legendary performer Pearl Bailey navigated the waters of being a Black woman in America the only way she knew how – through her music. On the eve of a scheduled performance in the Reagan White House she agrees to an interview, not expecting the ambitious journalist who calls into question some of her more controversial choices. The personal and political come into sharp conflict as the savvy entertainer reveals her multi-faceted life through flashbacks and some of her most memorable songs.

Subscriptions to the 2026-2027 Northlight Season are available at northlight.org/subscribe or 847.563.8400. With its wide range of ticket prices, discounted subscription packages and complimentary parking at the 1800 Maple Garage, Northlight remains of one of the best theatrical values in Chicagoland. Package options include traditional 5-Play Subscriptions and 4-Ticket Flex Passes.

Traditional Subscriptions range in price from $180 to $325. See the entire 5-Play inaugural season with Northlight's most popular package. Returning subscribers can receive a 10% Founders Discount when they subscribe by May 15, 2026. Seniors 65+ receive $10 off 5-Play Subscriptions on Wednesday matinees or evenings. The Senior Discount applies to Premium or Standard seating on full price subscriptions. Discounts may not be combined.

Flex pass options are $159-$295. Receive four ticket credits to use how you please: see four shows, attend two shows as a couple, or bring three friends to one performance. Flex passes can be booked up to one hour before curtain and can also be purchased online.

Curtain times are: Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

The complete 2026-2027 season will be performed in Northlight's new home at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from BMO; Bulley & Andrews; Byline Bank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc.; Evanston Community Foundation; Franklin Square Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; Grumman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; John R Halligan Charitable Fund; Kirkland & Ellis; LionBird; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Mabadi Realty; Mammel Family Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Northwestern University; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; The Revada Foundation of the Logan Family; Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation; The Schubert Foundation, Inc.; SLOAN; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Sullivan Family Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.

Founded in 1974 with its inaugural season in 1975-76, the organization has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 37 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.

Do we ever really know what someone is going through? We devour what people create, savoring the beauty in their art; we read the words they write, feel the emotions they convey, listen to the music they play, but do we really know what is just beneath the surface? One is left asking this question after viewing the masterpiece that is Twisted Melodies now playing at Northlight Theatre.

Flashback to 1979, when singer and composer Donny Hathaway was a soul music icon, known for R&B hits and his duets with Roberta Flack. Twisted Melodies is a mesmerizing one-man show that immerses us in a day with the brilliant artist, who seeks solace in the music that has always been his salvation. Powerful renditions of songs like “More Than You’ll Ever Know,” “The Ghetto,” and “The Closer I Get to You,” illuminate the enduring power of this talent. Torn between inspiration and his ongoing inner struggle, Hathaway grapples with his life in a gripping performance by Kelvin Roston Jr.

Unlike jukebox musicals that celebrate the life and music of the artist it portrays (think Jersey Boys about the Four Seasons or Just In Time about Bobby Darin), Twisted Melodies offers a new approach to viewing Hathaway’s life and career. We’re with Donny as he isolates in a hotel room, recording music. We learn about his life through captivating stories told from the first-person perspective. We hear his music sung by Hathaway as he recalls the people or events in his life that inspired the songs. We experience, even momentarily, what Donny must have experienced in his life, living with schizophrenia with visual distortions and haunting voices. The first-person storytelling of Hathaway’s life reveals the man behind the artist we know, his personality, his solace, and his demons. The play is not only an homage to the singer-songwriter’s life. “Twisted Melodies is a labor of love,” says playwright and performer Kelvin Roston Jr. “It’s much more than a solo jukebox musical. I chose Donny Hathaway as my muse for his amazing music and musicianship, yes, but also because of his struggle with paranoid schizophrenia. We generally ignore, make excuses for, hide, or even make fun of those dealing with mental illness. Donny Hathaway left an incredible amount of himself and his struggles in the lyrics he wrote, the notes he played, and the tones he bent and swelled with as he sang.”

Twisted Melodies perfectly captures the beauty and struggle of the late artist, and Roston Jr. belts Hathaway’s ballads with such reverence and respect, creating beautiful harmonies and scales that tickle your brain as beautifully as Roston Jr. tickles the ivory, playing throughout the one-man show. Roston Jr.’s tones and range capture the fire and the fury of Hathaway’s genius, challenging the audience to see beyond the notes and see what the artist was going through on that fateful night in 1979. Donny Hathaway tragically passed away at only 33 years old in a rumored solo exit performance of his own. The Chicago-born artist left behind a legacy that influenced or inspired dozens of modern-day artists, including Elton John and Amy Winehouse. Hathaway was even named the 49^th-greatest singer of all time in a 2010 list published by Rolling Stone Magazine.

It's tragic how we often don’t know what someone is going through until after the person is no longer with us, particularly when it comes to something like mental health. But what a blessing it is to know that a story like Twisted Melodies can help to remind us that we’re all going through something. Like Donny Hathaway, we can find our solace, our stories, and ourselves in the things we create, using our art to help others understand what we are going through. Twisted Melodies runs through August 10^th at Northlight Theatre (9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie). Tickets for Twisted Melodies are available at www.northlight.org

Early in the first act I whispered to my companion and said “I love this!” Extremely well written by Joshua Hartman with stellar performances directed by Jeremy Wechsler, “Prayer for the French Republic” (a Northlight Theatre Theatre Wit co-production) attempts to reveal the soul-searching and angst among a Jewish family in Paris amid the recent rise in antisemitism in their country.

After generations of security in the comfort of acceptance by their countrymen, the Salomon family encounters violent attacks by newly emergent antisemitic factions in France. How can this be happening?

In three acts we see the sweep of history across five generations of Salomons, who manufacture and sell pianos.
The opening scene is in a Paris apartment in 2016, where Marcelle Salomon (Janet Ulrich Brooks is sensational) welcomes a newly arrived American cousin, Molly (Maya Lou Hlava is perfect, brimming with Francophile excitement). We are given to understand their conversation, and the entire play, is all in French—though delivered in English.

Raised as a secular Jew and not very observant, Molly is something of a renegade. “My parents didn’t want me to come, because of the, you know, terrorism.” Despite her fluency, Molly is largely ignorant of French culture, but it’s love at first sight, expressed largely by her preternatural fixation on croissants. A little cringeworthy, maybe, but Hlava perfectly captures the tone of a good hearted American in Paris. I've been that way. 

After Marcelle delivers a comical machine-gun paced recitation of the family tree outlining their familial connection—one that has Molly nodding but bewildered—Marcelle goes on to explain that her husband, Charles Bertharnou (Rom Barkhorder) is a Sephardic Jew, his family having emigrated from North Africa as France withdrew from its colonies in the 1960s. And the added horror that Nazis did away with 25 percent of the Jewish population during the war. 

Larence Grimm as Patrick Salomon in "Prayer for the French Republic."

“Most Jews in France are Sephardic,” explains Marcelle. “Why is that,” asks Molly in her abject ignorance. Marcelle's brother, Patrick (Larence Grimm), appears periodically as aloof narrator, and in the family drama as well. He has shed his Judaic heritage even as his nephew Daniel leads his family to renew their embrace of it. 

The action is interrupted with tragedy. Marcelle’s husband returns with their son Daniel (Max Stewart in a magnetic performance), bloodied by an attack on the street. Suddenly, Molly, the secular Jew, is confronted with a violent anti-semitism that she has not experienced before. In the course of the play, she will be adjacent to the profound impact this has on the Salomon family—her character something of a device, the naive observer, for the script to examine these challenging issues.

Playwright Hartman then jumps through time artfully, with a vignette of 1944 as an earlier generation of Salomons weathers the Vichy government’s persecution of Jews under Hitler’s dominion. Adolphe and Irma Salomon (Torrey Hanson and Kathy Scambiaterra) are the perfect odd couple, whose sons Lucien (Alex Weisman) and Young Pierre (Nathan Becker) have fled without warning. Adolphe and Irma themselves are spared by a sympathetic policeman, and they suffer the war physically unscathed, selling pianos now to German Nazis, though beset by angst over the welfare of their sons.

Rae Gray as Elodie and Janet Ulrich Brooks as her mother Marcelle.

Then we’re back to 2017, where Rae Gray turns in a compelling performance as Elodie, Daniel’s manic depressive sister—a familiar and haunting presence in the Paris apartment, she sleeps until noon and shrugs off her mother’s hectoring diatribes urging her to get a life. In one manic moment, Gray launches into a monologue always nearing but almost never quite reaching its concluding "My point is" that rivals the showstoppers familiar at the Steppenwolf stage. Accoloades are due the playwright, and Gray, for pulling this off so very, very well. 

Meanwhile the family has been ruminating on the cloud of antisemitic fervor sweeping across their homeland. Charles weighs emigrating, while Daniel and Molly have other things on their minds: they have fallen in love.

All this comes to resolution in Act 3, where the promise of the first two acts is delivered upon, unsatisfyingly in my view, but it pleased the audience, which rose to its feet as the curtain dropped.

What’s not to like? The set for an upscale Parisian apartment didn’t measure up, nor the language and demeanor. to my mind. did not evoke the refinement one might expect - much more Manhattan than Paris. And the storyline unravels at the end as the script devolves into more preachy and polemic than the thinking and convincing leading up to the final act.

Strings were tied up perhaps too neatly in a packaged ending. Daniel might have made a different choice than what seems to have been foreordained by the playwright. And about the piano: it seemed out of tune. And would the fifth generation owners of a piano manufacturer be reluctant to ship an instrument due to weight? I think not.

Nevertheless, this show is recommended for the pure joy of excellent performances, and the intellectual and emotional processes that lead to the resolution, unsatisfying as it might have been for me. “Prayer for the French Republic, co-produced by Northlight Theatre and Chicago’s Theater Wit, runs through May 18 at Northlight Theatre in Skokie, IL.

*Extended through May 25th

*This review is also featured on https://www.theatreinchicago.com/!

It’s still fairly early in the evening. At this point, the turkey is in the oven, and Jane and Luna are each a couple sips into their bottle of wine. Conversation is nervous. The two women still do not know each other too well, and while Luna is ready with her conversation starters, Jane remains more hesitant. They don’t quite know where to sit, and while they can tell the other feels awkward, neither knows how to comfort the other.

Then, the subject of music comes up. Not only do they both enjoy disco, but it becomes clear that they both love to dance. Luna runs to get the radio and upon finding the right station, the entire mood shifts. Luna begins a dance step – inviting Jane to follow. Then it’s Jane’s turn to lead, and the two continue to switch off – each inviting the other to meet their level of silliness and joy. As the two laugh and dance, it becomes clear they finally found the push they needed. Now that the ice is broken, a friendship can truly blossom. The audience at this performance was laughing right alongside the actors – making it clear that the fun was spreading and we as witnesses were ready to see this friendship succeed.

Written by Lloyd Suh, The Heart Sellers takes place on Thanksgiving of 1973 – inspired by the Immigration Act of 1965 (or the Hart-Celler Act). Luna (Aja Alcazar) and Jane (Seoyoung Park) are recent immigrants, having moved to the United States with their husbands who are forever busy with their residencies at the hospital. Alone on this holiday, Luna invites Jane on a whim to her apartment – where they share a bottle of wine and attempt to cook a frozen turkey. Over the course of the story, we witness these strangers begin to bond. While the conversations begin hesitantly, the two slowly open up. As they slowly transition from conversations about their workaholic husbands to deeper reveals of dreams and hopes for the future, you might just find it’s impossible not to lean in and share that joy alongside them.

Skillfully directed by Helen Young, the production is intimate and full of good humor. Young’s artistic team does a stellar job extending that charming energy throughout the theater. Scenic Designer John Culbert welcomes the audience into Luna’s small, colorful apartment. With the close-knit feel of Northlight’s space, it’s hard not to feel like you are in the apartment alongside the women – which is certainly ideal for a two-hander like Suh’s play.

At its heart, this is a story about a blossoming friendship, and the artistic team focuses their designs on highlighting the women at the center – making it easy to enjoy the genuine chemistry between these two talented actors. As much as this production is full of warmth, the story carries its heavier moments – particularly as the women discuss their challenges around coming to a new country and leaving their families behind. Alcazar and Park move through these ups and downs with grace, creating an emotional roller coaster that you might find sneaks up on you as you realize how invested you are in the story. 

Standout performances and a moving script alone make The Heart Sellers an enjoyable evening at the theater. Given the current backdrop that currently lives in our country, you might also find that this Suh’s exploration of an important moment for immigration also makes the production a potent and relevant one.

RECOMMENDED

The Heart Sellers runs through February 23 at Northlight Theatre – 9501 Skokie Boulevard. See the Northlight Theatre website for more information regarding tickets.

Like a lot of people, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women has been mostly a cultural curiosity for much of my life. I know it’s perennially referenced when talking about women and their struggle to achieve personal agency and autonomy. Since it was published in 1868, shortly after the Civil War, Alcott’s quasi-autobiographical novel about a close knit family with its quartet of sisters has never gone out of print.  It’s been adapted to stage dozens of times, turned into an opera and Hollywood seems to have made a habit of rediscovering it and presenting a new interpretation of this undisputed American classic every generation or so.  Most recently, Greta Gerwig’s 2019 film version of Little Women drew a deluge of praise for the way it reimagined Alcott’s novel for a new era. Still, since it wasn’t required reading in my downstate high school, I never quite understood the magnitude of the story’s import until the other night at a world premiere.  Northlight Theatre, together with three other prominent regional theaters across the country, commissioned one of the nation’s most prolific and produced playwright’s, Lauren Gunderson, to develop her own vision of Alcott’s signature creation. Gunderson’s adaptation, now premiering in Skokie before making its way across the country to the other sponsoring companies, has made the blind me see. 

Over her career, the San Francisco playwright has developed a reputation for many laudable abilities. Chief among them is the way she can tap into the essence of her characters and turn them into people we easily recognize, empathize with or see startling resemblances to ourselves. She’s also a brilliant architect who can construct a story framework that’s as sturdy as a fortress, is wonderfully meticulous in its detailing and is usually flawless in plot continuity. Those attributes and more run rampant in this production. Joined by an elite creative team, Gunderson turns a 150-year-old classic into an unexpected revelation whose positive messages extolling character, resilience and determination shine with freshly burnished clarity.  

A progressive family whose parents fostered the pursuit of any interest their daughters found stimulating, the March’s in Little Women is a mirror image of Alcott’s own family. The four sisters were all modeled after the author and her three sisters. The second oldest, Louisa, or Lou as she was known to family and friends, was the driven one. Independent, ambitious and literally gifted, she chafed at the constraints imposed on women in the 19th century; just as women today are dismayed about similar career and societal constraints present in the 21st. 

That Little Women’s Jo is in fact Alcott’s fictional self has long been well established. But aspects in this account go further to draw attention to the similarities between the real and imagined person. In this iteration, the author and her alter ego become so enmeshed that the actor playing lead, Tyler Meredith, occasionally slips into portraying Alcott in addition to Jo March. Dressed in trousers that resemble pantaloons under her period dress, her attire becomes one more feature that distinguishes her. Playing Jo with forceful confidence, Meredith fills her character with an unshakable will that’s fed by the encouragement of her family.  She writes spirited plays that she and her sisters enact.  And the responses she gets from her writing submissions tell her the aspiration of becoming a self-sustaining writer is conceivably within her grasp.

While we’re admiring her tenacity and preternatural intelligence, we also take in the rest of the family and marvel at how quickly and distinctly their own personalities emerge.  Her older sister Meg (Janyce Caraballo); traditional, beautiful and pragmatic, is a stabilizing figure in the family modeled after their mother, Marmee (Lucy Carapetyan), the family’s true anchor and moral touchstone. Quiet and reserved, Beth (Demetra Dee), just below Jo in age, is musical and plays piano. Her profile rises in this effort to the point we have a much stronger understanding of how pivotal her place in this family is.  When she contracts scarlet fever after caring for an ill infant, the slow demise she endures gives us time to see how essential her presence is to the family. Dee is demurely marvelous in a role that highlights how diverse families can be within themselves and how that diversity is a secret strength.

The youngest sister, Amy, played with all the petulant entitlement of the baby in the family by Yourtana Sulaiman, is only slightly spoiled and enjoys painting. Her real-life counterpart went on to become an accomplished and recognized painter.  

Alcott would live out her life just as she imagined and hoped, unmarried and successful in her craft. Neither her publishers nor her public wanted the first of those two things for Jo, however. The friendship she strikes up with the parentless boy across the street who’s living with his rich grandfather seems as if it might lead to romance. Immediately infatuated by his spunky neighbor, Laurie (John Drea) can’t, and doesn’t want to hide his attraction to this dynamic young girl with the invincible spirit.  They both exude so much energy and potential on stage that their power seemed to pulse through the theater. Add to that the purity of Laurie’s guilelessness as he tries to make his friend more than a friend, and you’re virtually convinced this intrigue will lead to the altar. Jo’s too committed to her dream to jeopardize it with marriage. Especially since she doesn’t love her friend in the same way he does her.  Watching their friendship take flight, mature and endure after Jo rejects him for a final time; causing him to go on to marry one of her sisters, is a masterclass in how to live. Only exceptional writing and equally adept directing could present it with such compassionate coherence. Along with the playwright, Georgette Verdin as director strives to bring the fullness of what Alcott achieved in Little Women to the fore. There are countless lessons on the potency of familial love and the capacities of the human spirit to prevail despite discouraging odds. Bracketing the effort with novel approaches in directing and generous splashes of humor made this project as exciting and entertaining as it was enlightening. Placing it in the hands of such able and gifted actors simply added to its appeal. Watching Erik Hellman’s inspired transformation from Laurie’s self-effacing tutor to the German professor Jo meets in New York and eventually marries was a particular delight. It was also emblematic of the fine acting that filled this delightful experience.

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

Through January 5, 2025

Venue: Northlight Theatre at Northshore Center for The Performing Arts

9501 Skokie Blvd. Skokie, IL  60077

https://northlight.org/series/little-women/

I am delighted that Northlight Theatre chose to produce The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, penned by Daniel Jamieson and expertly staged and directed by Elizabeth Margolius, especially given the alarming rise of antisemitism currently sweeping the country.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is a play that tells the love story of the famous Jewish artist Marc Chagall born Moishe Shagal and his wife, writer Bella Rosenfeld. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Vitebsk, the narrative explores their relationship as they navigate significant historical events such as the Pogroms, the Russian Revolution, and the rise of fascism in Europe. Marc Chagall, a renowned painter born in the small town of Vitebsk, where he met his wife Bella, lived to the age of 97. Such a ripe old age, despite the harrowing events depicted in the play, where he and Bella flee the brutal pogroms in Russia and the Nazi atrocities in Europe, Chagall’s resilience and longevity stand out. The play masterfully intertwines dance and music along with gripping dialogue to narrate the couple’s journey through some of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century, leading up to the Nazi occupation of France while focusing on the couple’s strong relationship and strength. 

Jack Cahill-Lemme portrays Chagall with a focused optimism and an unwavering devotion to his Jewish bride, Bella, capturing the essence of love at first sight from their very first encounter. As Cahill-Lemme follows and admires Bella moving across the stage, his unwavering pursuit of her love is evident. His character’s elegant movements, captivating smile and dreamy expression reveal that his attention is entirely devoted to her. Cahill-Lemme’s longing  gaze envelops Bella, reflecting his profound love, devotion, and undeniable attraction. Interestingly, during their first encounter, he asked her to pose nude for him, a common practice among painters of that era. Jack Cahill-Lemme is a rising star who was most recently seen on Broadway in the National Tour of Moulin Rouge alongside Boy George and has taken on roles at Marriott Theatre and Paramount Theatre among many other Chicagoland theaters. Rosenthal has also made her mark in the theater world, appearing at Drury Lane Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre and Writers Theatre.

Emma Rosenthal portrays Bella, the love of Chagall’s life with a tremendous amount of energy and childlike wonder. Her character is a fiery, headstrong, and intelligent woman deeply in love and devoted wholly and joyously to her passionate and genius husband, and their child. Rosenthal’s performance radiates with the spirited energy of a Jewish woman who has found both her true love and her destiny as his inspiration, especially evident in their numerous dance numbers and songs together. 

It was fascinating to see that instead of using the stained glass painting of the flying lovers as a backdrop, the simple yet modern set allowed each dance number between the two lovers to evoke the painting’s uplifting joy and the lifelong physical attraction that inspired the most famous painting by Chagall of all time.

The live music for the show, performed by musical director Michael Mahler and Alyssa Carlson, featured a mix of new and old instruments, including the piano. Their performances added depth to the many wonderful song and dance numbers, which were delivered in various languages, including Yiddish, Russian, French, and English, creating a powerful emotional impact.

Marc Chagall was ahead of his time in many ways and faced rejection in his Russian homeland despite his worldwide acclaim as a pioneer of the art movement now known as Impressionism.

Under the guidance of Artistic Director BJ Jones, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk captivates audiences with its compelling narrative that holds their attention from start to finish. The production is brought to life with its talented cast along with music by Ian Ross, stage and movement direction by Elizabeth Margolius, and musical direction by Michael Mahler.

I highly recommend this beautiful, moving, and joyful 80-minute one-act production for audiences of all ages. It offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about Jewish history and the arts in a setting that celebrates the relationship between artist and muse.

The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk is being performed at Northlight Theatre in Skokie through October 6th. For tickets and/or more show information, click HERE. 

When life’s chaos is full of impossible choices, how are we possibly meant to move forward?

Brooklyn Laundry is about a lot of things. There’s love. There’s heartbreak. There’s family, and there’s grief. However, at its center, you might find that the play boils down to the central question above. Playwright John Patrick Shanley may not offer the answer, but he certainly invites a conversation.

Brooklyn Laundry follows Fran (Cassidy Slaughter-Mason) - a young woman who meets business owner Owen (Mark Montgomery) upon dropping off her laundry at his dry cleaners. By chance they meet, and Owen ask her out for dinner. Fran is touched, and ultimately says yes. However, life is rarely as it seems, and Fran is navigating far more than a recent breakup. With one sister, Trish (Marika Mashburn), suffering from cancer and her other sister, Susie (Sandra Delgado), battling her own health challenges, Fran finds herself drowning in the middle – unsure of how to proceed.

Directed by Northlight Artistic Director BJ Jones, the production features a stellar ensemble as a whole. Mashburn and Delgado may only have one scene each, but the emotional depth they bring into these moments is enough to make them stand out. Delgado in particular gives a heartbreaking performance as Susie and certainly does not hold back. The character’s high-strung tendencies are likely to feel relatable to the older siblings in the audience, as well as the devastating blow when we see her pushed too far, and the true feelings beneath simply have to bubble over.  

Slaughter-Mason and Montgomery fill the blooming relationship at the center of the story with charm and if you’re anything like this writer, you may find yourself leaning in – hoping they succeed.

Fran and Owen’s first date is full of that awkward energy that so many audience members will recognize. From the moment that Fran walks into the restaurant, it’s clear that nothing will quite go as expected. At the surprising realization that she is completely high, Owen offers to take some of the drugs alongside her to even the playing field. As the effects settle in, the two embark on a conversation around intimacy that completely changes the tone around the evening.

The stage is empty except for the couple, allowing us as an audience to fully absorb the moment. Slaughter-Mason and Montgomery fill this scene with empathy and relatability. Laughter and gasps from the Opening Night audience filled the theater at the beginning of the date; however, as the scene moved along, pure silence took over. The shift in mood made it clear that this writer was not alone in her feeling that Slaughter-Mason and Montgomery certainly knew how to win over the crowd.

Shanley’s script is fast-paced and strong. Fran’s journey as a whole is far from easy, and Shanley smartly includes a mix of fun, light-hearted romantic scenes to break up the larger, heavier trajectory of the character’s arc. If anything, you might find that the script is too short. This 80-minute play is packed from beginning to end, and I personally found myself surprised when the lights came down at the end.

Stand-out performances and a gut-wrenching (yet at times comedic) story make Brooklyn Laundry an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. Modern-day romances rarely follow the path of a romantic comedy, and Shanley offers a window into the nuances that can hopefully lead to something stronger on the other side.

RECOMMENDED

Brooklyn Laundry runs through May 12, 2024 at Northlight Theatre - 9501 Skokie Boulevard.

There’s no mystery to “whodunit” in Northlight Theatre’s current production of “Dial M for Murder.” The audience watches a murder planned, while also being privy to the motivations of all the major characters. But there is plenty of suspense and intrigue as we watch Inspector Hubbard (Nick Sandys is spectacular) determine what happened. The suspense rests on whether his detective skills and penetrating questions will unravel the events the audience has witnessed, allowing the perpetrator to be caught.

Among perennial stage favorites, “Dial M for Murder” has seen multiple live and film versions - perhaps most notably Alfred Hitchcock’s noirish 1954 version - and always keeps audiences enthralled. It originated as a 1952 BBC teleplay. The Northlight Theatre production represents a well-written update, from a 2022 adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher (endorsed by the estate of the original author, Frederick Knott).

Set in Britain, the story centers around wealthy heiress Margot (Lucy Carapetyan) and her fortune-hunting husband Tony (Ryan Hallahan is excellent) who freely admits to his grifter confidant Lesgate (Felipe Carrasco is suitably sleazy) that he married not for love, but money. Tony lives the highlife courtesy of his wife Margot, far beyond his means as a lowly book editor.

Enter Maxine (Elizabeth Laidlaw in a perfect performance), a murder mystery author, and Tony’s client at the publishing house. We soon learn something more about her relationship with Margot, the condition around which the plot turns.

Directed by Georgette Verdin, who maintains precise timing so necessary for the action, “Dial M for Murder receives the high production values that Northlight Theatre reliably delivers. The mid-century modern furnishings (Mara Zinky for set design) are exquisite, as are the couturier gowns (Raquel Adorno for costume design) in which women of Margot’s station dress for cocktails before dinner.

There were just a couple rough edges in the production. Overall, the adopted English accents weren’t finely honed, and our Midwest nasal overtones came through in most characters. This was all the more evident when the redeeming exception of Sandys’s Detective Hubbard, on whose role the play’s power rests. His British English was flawless (Sandys was born in Coventry, England), and his trained voice seemed to fill the theater space effortlessly. Sandys also seemed to be wearing his natural hair, which fit the part; the other hairstyles looked like they had a little too much help from the make-up department, and were distracting.

Those minor quibbles aside, this is an excellent staging of an intriguing and suspenseful murder saga, and “Dial M for Murder” is certain to leave you satisfied. Its run has already been extended through January 7 at Northlight Theatre in Skokie.