FUNNYMAN World Premiere, MOTHERS AND SONS, 'DISCORD' and More Set for Northlight's 2015-16 Season

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 41st Season.

The season kicks off with Funnyman, Northlight's fourth world premiere with playwright Bruce Graham (Stella & Lou, The Outgoing Tide, White Guy on the Bus), directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones.

The season continues with Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman's Pulitzer Prize winning Depression-era classic You Can't Take it With You, directed by Devon de Mayo, followed by Terrence McNally's Tony nominated play Mothers and Sons, directed by Steve Scott. Richard Strand's Civil War drama Butler opens in the spring, directed by Stuart Carden.

Closing out the season is the Executive Producer/Writer of Real Time with Bill Maher Scott Carter's comedy The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: Discord, directed by Kimberly Senior.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Northlight has always presented work that is in conversation with our audience, a conversation that grows and deepens as time goes on. This season hits close to home, as we look at the family dynamic: from the ebullient classic You Can't Take it With You, to Bruce Graham's world premiere Funnyman, and to the Tony-nominated Broadway hit Mothers and Sons, we will be talking with you, about you and your family. Join us as we get up close and personal. We're bringing it home, to Northlight."

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The 2015-16 season includes:

The World Premiere of

FUNNYMAN

By Bruce Graham

Directed by BJ Jones

September 11 - October 18, 2015

New York City, 1959. Fading vaudeville comic Chick Sherman, along with his long-suffering agent, tries to revive his career with a role in an avant-garde off-Broadway play. While his grown daughter searches for answers from her absentee showbiz father, a lifetime of private and professional struggles rise to the surface, cracking the polished public persona of the world's favorite former "funny man."

Funnyman marks Northlight's fourth world premiere with playwright Bruce Graham, author of The Outgoing Tide, Stella & Lou and White Guy on the Bus.

YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU

By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman

Directed by Devon de Mayo

November 6 - December 13, 2015

Meet the Sycamores - a madcap clan that sets the bar for eccentricity. When Alice brings her high society fiancé home to meet the parents, fireworks (figuratively and literally) nearly bring the house down. Despite their zany antics and unconventional ways, this tight-knit family offers hope that love and laughter lead to happiness, even in the hardest of times.

One of the most popular and successful comedies in American theatre, this Pulitzer Prize-winning, Depression era classic has a timeless appeal.

MOTHERS AND SONS

By Terrence McNally

Directed by Steve Scott

January 22 - February 28, 2016

Nearly 20 years after her son's death, Katharine pays an unexpected visit to the New York apartment of his former partner, who is now married to another man and has a young child. Confronted with the life her son might have led, Katharine is challenged to face the powerful ways in which society has changed around her and to accept an ever-evolving definition of family.

BUTLER

By Richard Strand

Directed by Stuart Carden

March 11 - April 17, 2016

Early in the Civil War, three escaped slaves arrive at a Union fort to seek sanctuary from Major General Butler. Despite the conflict between the states, law requires that the slaves be returned to their rightful owner. Seeking a solution that satisfies both ethics and duty, Butler embarks on a battle of words and wits, calling into question what is legal versus what is right in a captivating story based on actual events.

The Gospel According to Thomas Jefferson, Charles Dickens and Count Leo Tolstoy: DISCORD

By Scott Carter

Directed by Kimberly Senior

May 6 - June 12, 2016

What do a Founding Father, a Victorian novelist and a Russian revolutionary have in common? Not much, but each of these notoriously great minds was once brazen enough to pen his own Gospel. Brought together, they debate the meaning of life and the nature of God in a whip-smart comedy that illuminates the brilliance, flaws and humor of three unforgettable philosophers. This new play comes from Scott Carter, the Executive Producer/Writer of Real Time with Bill Maher.

Northlight offers the following Engagement Events for each production:

POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS

Northlight artistic staff lead a conversation about the play and the artistic process immediately following select performances.

BACKSTAGE WITH BJ

This behind-the-scenes discussion with Artistic Director BJ Jones and other special guests is offered for each show while still in rehearsal. 2014-2015 dates are to be announced and will be available online at northlight.org/events.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Northlight partners with community organizations to offer enrichment opportunities ranging from panel discussions with local experts to scene selections and conversations with the cast and/or director. Frequent locations include the Skokie Public Library and Wilmette Public Library, among others. 2015-16 dates are to be announced, and will be posted in the theatre lobby for each production, as well as online at northlight.org/events.

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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.

Subscriptions to the 2015-16 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 are currently available. New subscriptions will be available beginning in May 2015. 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 $109-$245. A limited number of season subscriptions for the Opening Night performances (also includes a reception with the cast) are available for $320, 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.

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.

Now entering its 41st season, the organization has mounted over 200 productions, including more than 40 world premieres. Northlight has earned 151 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 28 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.

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