Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the first three shows of its 42nd season, including The City of Conversation, the World Premiere of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley and the World Premiere of Faceless.
The cast of the Midwest Premiere of Anthony Giardina's The City of Conversation includes: Greg Matthew Anderson ( Colin Ferris/Ethan ), Tim Decker ( Chandler Harris ), Mattie Hawkinson ( Anna Fitzgerald ), Brian Keys ( Donald Logan ), Tim Monsion( George Mallonee ), Lia Mortensen ( Hester Ferris ), Elaine Rivkin ( Carolyn Mallonee ) and Natalie West ( Jean Swift ).
The cast of the World Premiere of Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley includes: Samantha Beach ( Elizabeth Darcy ),Emily Berman ( Mary Bennet ), Alex Goodrich ( Fitzwilliam Darcy ), Erik Hellman ( Arthur de Bourgh ), Jennifer Latimore( Lydia Wickham ), Tosin Morohunfola ( Charles Bingley ), Aila Peck ( Jane Bingley ), and Bri Sudia ( Anne de Bourgh ).
The cast of the World Premiere of Faceless by emerging playwright Selina Fillinger is: Matt DeCaro ( Mark Ahrenberg ), Joe Dempsey ( Alan Glenn ), Susaan Jamshidi ( Claire Fathi ), Timothy Edward Kane ( Scott Bader ) and Lindsay Stock ( Susie Glenn )
Previously announced, Mike Nussbaum will play Albert Einstein in new play Relativity by Mark St. Germain, and Francis Guinan and Penny Slusher will appear in By the Water by Sharyn Rothstein. Additional casting for the final two shows is yet to be announced.
The 2016-2017 Northlight season at a glance:
The Midwest Premiere of
THE CITY OF CONVERSATION
By Anthony Giardina
Directed by Marti Lyons
September 15 — October 23, 2016
The cast includes: Greg Matthew Anderson ( Colin Ferris/Ethan ), Tim Decker ( Chandler Harris ), Mattie Hawkinson ( Anna Fitzgerald ), Brian Keys ( Donald Logan ), Tim Monsion ( George Mallonee ), Lia Mortensen ( Hester Ferris ), Elaine Rivkin( Carolyn Mallonee ) and Natalie West ( Jean Swift ).
The designers are: Tom Burch ( Set Design ), Sally Dolembo ( Costume Design ), Sarah Hughey ( Lighting Design ) and Joe Cerqua ( Sound Design ).
In 1979 Washington D.C., socialite Hester Ferris throws posh dinner parties that can change the course of politics. But when her son turns up with an ambitious Reagan-ite girlfriend and a shocking new world view, it ignites a family divide that spans over 30 years and six presidential administrations. As power shifts from one generation to the next, a family struggles to maintain ties while on opposite sides of the partisan fence.
The City of Conversation was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk awards for Best Play of 2014-15 and is also being developed as a miniseries for F/X.
The World Premiere of
MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
By Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon
Directed by Jessica Thebus
November 10 — December 18, 2016
The cast includes: Samantha Beach ( Elizabeth Darcy ), Emily Berman ( Mary Bennet ), Alex Goodrich ( Fitzwilliam Darcy ), Erik Hellman ( Arthur de Bourgh ), Jennifer Latimore ( Lydia Wickham ), Tosin Morohunfola ( Charles Bingley ), Aila Peck ( Jane Bingley ), and Bri Sudia ( Anne de Bourgh ).
The design team is: Rick and Jackie Penrod ( Set Design ), Melissa Torchia ( Costume Design ), Sarah Hughey ( Lighting Design ) and Kevin O'Donnell ( Sound Design ).
In this charmingly imagined sequel to Pride and Prejudice, the ever-dependable Mary Bennet is growing tired of her role as dutiful middle sister in the face of her siblings' romantic escapades. When the family gathers for Christmas at Pemberley, an unexpected guest sparks Mary's hopes for independence, an intellectual match, and possibly even love.
This world premiere play picks up two years after Jane Austen's beloved tale ended, with a clever and captivating style that will delight Austen aficionados and new-comers alike!
The World Premiere of
FACELESS
By Selina Fillinger
Directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones
January 26 — March 5, 2017
The cast includes: Matt DeCaro ( Mark Ahrenberg ), Joe Dempsey ( Alan Glenn ), Susaan Jamshidi ( Claire Fathi ), Timothy Edward Kane ( Scott Bader ) and Lindsay Stock ( Susie Glenn ).
The designers are John Culbert ( Set Design ), Izumi Inaba ( Costume Design ), Andre Pluess ( Sound Design ) and Stephan Mazurek ( Projection Design ). The lighting designer is TBD.
Eighteen-year-old Susie Glenn is on trial for conspiring to commit acts of terrorism. Suffering from the weight of her mother's recent death, Susie may be a scared teen searching for answers — or she might be a threat to national security. With a female Muslim lawyer as the face of the prosecution, perspectives shift from one moment to the next. Morals, motives and matters of faith all come into question in this riveting and timely drama from a thrilling new voice in theatre.
Playwright Selina Fillinger is a two-time winner of the Agnes Nixon Playwriting Festival and the recipient of the first annual Judith Barlow Prize, a national award from the History Matters/Back to the Future coalition.
The Midwest Premiere of
BY THE WATER
By Sharyn Rothstein
Directed by Cody Estle
Featuring Francis Guinan and Penny Slusher
March 16 — April 23, 2017
Hurricane Sandy has just ravaged the lifelong home of Marty and Mary Murphy. But the storm has ripped apart more than just the walls: with their neighbors too devastated to stay, the couple's beloved Staten Island community is in danger of disappearing forever. Determined to rebuild, Marty wages a campaign to save his neighborhood and his home, but when the Murphys' sons arrive to help their parents dig out, past betrayals come rushing to the surface.
With fierce compassion and poignant humor, the Primus Prize-winning play By the Water reminds us that the very powers that tear us apart can also bring us together.
The National New Play Network Rolling World Premiere of
RELATIVITY
By Mark St. Germain
Directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones
Featuring Mike Nussbaum
May 11 - June 18, 2017
In 1902 Albert and Mileva Einstein had a baby daughter. After 1904 she was never seen or spoken of again. Forty years later, a reporter interviews Einstein about this mysterious piece of his past, revealing shocking secrets about his family and his personal life. While the reporter questions Einstein on his theory of relativity and his decisions, she also poses a query of her own: to be a great man, does one first need to be a good man?
The author of Freud's Last Session and Becoming Dr. Ruth showcases his signature blend of insight, intellect, humor and heart in this fictional account of a legendary figure.
Subscriptions to the 2016-17 Northlight Season are available through the box office, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, by phone at 847.673.6300 or online at northlight.org . Renewals and new subscriptions are now available for purchase. With its wide range of ticket prices, discounted subscription packages and complimentary parking, Northlight remains of one of the best theatrical values in Chicagoland.
Subscriptions range in price from $90-$250. A limited number of season subscriptions for the Opening Night performances ( also includes a reception with the cast ) are available for $325, subject to availability. Northlight subscribers will have the first chance to purchase additional tickets before they go on sale to the general public. For more information, visit northlight.org .
Curtain times are: Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.; Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
