Northlight Theatre Presents [title of show] To Complete Season 5/4-6/10

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans are proud to announce the final production of Northlight's 2011-12 Season, [title of show], the Broadway musical sensation about...creating a Broadway musical sensation. The production, with music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen and book by Hunter Bell, runs May 4 - June 10, 2012 and opens Friday, May 11, 2012.

When two young writers decide to create a new musical in just three weeks, they must navigate creative differences and commercial success in this meta-musical comedy laced with pop culture wit and infectious enthusiasm. Perfect for anyone who's dared to dream that they can actually get paid for doing what they love!

The previously announced season includes the new musical scrapbook Snapshots from Stephen Schwartz, the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working; Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings, last year's smash holiday hit at London's National Theatre; Black Pearl Sings! by Frank Higgins, featuring the incomparable E. Faye Butler; and a behind-the-scenes look at beloved Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne with Jeffrey Hatcher's Ten Chimneys.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "In a season that celebrates the work of one of the great composers of American musical theatre with Stephen Schwartz's Snapshots, and examines the artistry of the Lunts with Ten Chimneys, we continue our show business celebration with [title of show], the Tony-nominated tribute to musical comedy. Our interest in developing new musical work makes this the perfect Northlight show."

The 2011-12 Northlight season includes:

Snapshots
book by David Stern
music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
directed by Ken Sawyer
musical staging by Karl Christian
September 16 - October 23, 2011
Opening: Friday, September 23, 2011

This romantic comedy blends the best-loved music of Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz with some of his lesser known gems into a musical scrapbook about trusting your heart and believing your memories. Featuring fresh lyrics and orchestrations, Snapshots reveals the humorous twists and unexpected turns of a middle-aged couple's reminiscence of how love brought them together and why life pushed them apart.

Season's Greetings
by Alan Ayckbourn
directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones
November 11 - December 18, 2011
Opening: Friday, November 18, 2011

It's Christmastime in the Bunker household, and while the children lurk just out of sight, the adults are busy making the "naughty" list. As dinner burns and guests bungle attempts at infidelity under the tree, only one question remains: can Father Christmas escape unscathed? A wildly funny look at the hilarity and high jinks of a "normal" family Christmas.

Black Pearl Sings!
by Frank Higgins
featuring E. Faye Butler
January 13 - February 19, 2012
Opening: Friday, January 20, 2012

Featuring beautiful, a cappella renditions of little-known American folk songs, this play tells the Depression-era story of two extraordinary women: a gifted singer stuck in a Texas prison and the Library of Congress song collector who is determined to introduce her silky voice and steely spirit to the world.

Ten Chimneys
by Jeffrey Hatcher
directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones
March 9 - April 15, 2012
Opening: Friday, March 16, 2012

For decades, Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne entertained the most influential artists of their time-from Noel Coward to Sydney Greenstreet-at Ten Chimneys, their legendary Wisconsin retreat. In this new play, a spirited onstage rehearsAl Sparks an offstage romantic triangle. The result is a comically revealing look at the private lives of these very public figures.

[title of show]
music and lyrics by Jeff Bowen
book by Hunter Bell
May 4 - June 10, 2012
Opening: Friday, May 11, 2012.

When two young writers decide to create a new musical in just three weeks, they must navigate creative differences and commercial success in this meta-musical comedy laced with pop culture wit and infectious enthusiasm. Perfect for anyone who's dared to dream that they can actually get paid for doing what they love!

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 2011-12 Northlight Season are available through the box office, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, by phone at 847.673.6300 or online at northlight.org.

Subscriptions range in price from $99-$225. A limited number of season subscriptions for the Friday Evening Opening Night performances (also includes a reception with the cast) are available for $300, subject to availability.

Subscriptions are now on sale to the public. With its wide range of ticket prices, discounted subscription packages and complimentary parking, Northlight remains of one of the best theatrical values in Chicagoland.

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 in its 36th season, the organization has mounted over 165 productions, including more than 33 world premieres. Northlight has earned 145 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.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; Blackman Kallick Bartelstein, LLP; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Edgerton Foundation for New American Plays Award; Ernst & Young; Harris Bank; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The Irving Harris Foundation; The Joyce Foundation; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The Lehman Family American Experience Series; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; MetLife Foundation; McKinsey & Company; Modestus Bauer Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation; Nuveen Investments; The Pauls Foundation; Sanborn Family Foundation; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Sullivan Family Foundation; and the Theatre Communications Group.

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