Northlight Theatre Sets 42nd Season

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces its 42nd season, including three World Premieres and two Midwest Premieres. The season kicks off with the Midwest Premiere of Anthony Giardina's political family drama The City of Conversation, critically acclaimed and currently in development as a miniseries for F/X. The season continues with the World Premiere of the charmingly imagined sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Miss Bennet by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, followed by the World Premiere of Faceless by emerging playwright Selina Fillinger, and the Midwest Premiere of By the Water by Sharyn Rothstein, winner of the prestigious 2015 Primus Prize. Closing out the season is the World Premiere of Relativity by Mark St. Germain, the prolific playwright behind the long-running Freud's Last Session.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Each play embodies a central part of Northlight's mission: 'to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion.' With three World Premieres, two Midwest Premieres and four women playwrights, we're proud to continue introducing new work and new voices to our audience, an important role in enhancing the increasingly rich landscape of Chicago theatre."

The 2016-17 Season includes:

The Midwest Premiere of

THE CITY OF CONVERSATION

By Anthony Giardina

Directed by Marti Lyons

September 15 - October 23, 2016

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

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, witty, romantic 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

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

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.

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 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 are currently available. New subscriptions will be available beginning in May 2016. 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 $99-$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.

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.

Currently in its 41st season, the organization has mounted over 200 productions, including more than 40 world premieres. Northlight has earned 194 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 32 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 Allstate Insurance; the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, BMO Harris Bank; Henrietta Lange Burk Fund; Cramer Krasselt; The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Chicago Community Trust; ComEd, An Exelon Company; The Davee Foundation; Edgerton Foundation for New American Plays Award; Evanston Community Foundation; Full Circle Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Melvoin Award for Playwriting; Modestus Bauer Foundation; National Endowment for the Arts; NorthShore University HealthSystem; The Offield Family Foundation; The Pauls Foundation; Room & Board; Sage Products; Sanborn Family Foundation; The Shubert Foundation, Inc.; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Sullivan Family Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners; Turner Construction; and the Venturous Theater Fund of the Tides Foundation.

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