Tim Kazurinksy and George Wendt Star in Northlight Theatre's THE ODD COUPLE, 11/2-12/9

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2012-2013 season with Neil Simon's The Odd Couple, featuring legendary comic actors Tim Kazurinsky and George Wendt, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. The comedy will play at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from November 2-December 9, 2012. The Press Opening is Friday, November 9, at 7:30 pm.

George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky star as famously mismatched roommates Oscar and Felix. When recently-failed marriages lead them into sharing an apartment, Felix's finicky habits and Oscar's slovenly ways make for a disastrous yet side-splittingly funny combination in this beloved comedy by Neil Simon.

BJ Jones comments, "It is a real thrill to have old friends and colleagues George Wendt and Tim Kazurinsky at Northlight working together on Neil Simon's classic The Odd Couple. My history with George and Tim goes back decades and their own particular chemistry is a national joy."

Legendary comic actors Tim Kazurinsky (Felix) and George Wendt (Oscar) are joined by fellow Second City alumnus Bruce Jarchow (Roy), William Dick (Vinnie), Molly Glynn (Cecily), Marc Grapey (Murray the Cop), Katherine Keberlein (Gwen) and Phil Ridarelli (Speed).

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Tim Kazurinsky (Felix Ungar) In his Northlight debut, Tim couldn't be happier being teamed up with his 1978 Second City castmates George Wendt and Bruce Jarchow. Other stage credits include: Sexual Perversity Among the Buffalo, Another Fine Pickle, Freud Slipped Here, and I Remember Dada (Second City); The Bicycle Men (Lakeshore Theatre); and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Chicago Shakespeare). TV credits include: Saturday Night Live 1981-84 (NBC), Big City Comedy (NBC), Dinner at Eight (TCM), The Princess and the Pea (Faerie Tale Theatre), According to Jim (ABC), Still Standing (CBS), Early Edition (CBS), Married With Children (FOX), Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO). Film credits include: My Bodyguard, Continental Divide, Neighbors, About Last Night..., Somewhere In Time, The Cherokee Kid, Shakes the Clown, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, and Police Academy II, III, & IV. Screenwriting credits include: About Last Night…, For Keeps, The Cherokee Kid, and Strange Relations.

George Wendt (Oscar Madison) is returning to Northlight after his appearance in the 2002 world premiere Rounding Third. Other theatre credits include: Elf–The Musical, Hairspray and Art (Broadway); Re-Animator: The Musical (Steve Allen Theater, LA); Minsky's (Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum, LA); and Twelve Angry Men (National Tour). He worked with the Second City comedy troupe from 1974-1980 and is best known for his role as Norm Peterson on the hit television series Cheers (1982-1993). Other television credits include: Frasier, Spin City, Hot in Cleveland, Harry's Law, Becker, The Larry Sanders Show, among many others.

William Dick (Vinnie) Chicago credits: Hearts: The Forward Observer (Northlight); Timon of Athens, The Madness of George lll, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors, Cymbeline, Troilus and Cressida, The Two Noble Kinsmen, A Flea in Her Ear, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice (Chicago Shakespeare); The Pitmen Painters (TimeLine); End Days, Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Next); A Christmas Carol (Drury Lane); Moonlight and Magnolias, House and Garden, The Goat or Who is Sylvia? (Goodman); We All Went Down to Amsterdam (Steppenwolf). Regional credits: Milwaukee Repertory, Michigan Public Theatre, Studio Arena Theatre and Los Angeles Theatre Center. Film: The Company, Ice Harvest, Stranger Than Fiction, The Break Up, The Merry Gentleman, Fred Claus, The Express, and the upcoming OZ-The Great and Powerful.

Molly Glynn (Cecily Pigeon) is delighted to return to Northlight, where she appeared in Permanent Collection. Credits include: Middletown, Orange Flower Water, Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Steppenwolf); The Uneasy Chair (Writers'); Maple and Vine, The Boarding House (Next); Kate in Short Shakes! The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare); Unnecessary Farce, The Comedy of Errors (First Folio); Love and Drowning (16th Street Theater); Heritage, Strictly Dishonorable (American Blues); That Was Then, And Neither Have I Wings to Fly (Seanachai Theatre); Suburban Motel, Hellcab (Famous Door); and work at Goodman, Remy Bumppo, Apple Tree, Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. TV/Film: Boss (Starz), Early Edition (CBS), Something Better Somewhere Else, No Sleep 'til Madison. Molly is happily married to actor Joe Foust.

Marc Grapey (Murray) Northlight debut. Elsewhere: The Iceman Cometh, Race, Vigils, Griller (Goodman); Mizlansky/Zilinsky, The Chosen, Dead Man's Cell Phone, Oblivion (Steppenwolf); Equivocation, At Home at the Zoo, Class Dismissed, I Sailed with Magellan (Victory Gardens); Richard III, The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare), Hitting for the Cycle, The Homecoming, Early and Often (Famous Door): also appearances at Drury Lane Oakbrook, Writer's Theatre, Next Theatre and Actor's Theatre of Louisville. Broadway debut opposite Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in The Odd Couple. Two time Joseph Jefferson Award Nominee. Film: Superbad, Adventureland, The Daytrippers, Ali, At Any Price. Television: The West Wing, Arrested Development, Two and a Half Men, and most notably as J.J. Mitchell on Sex and the City.

Bruce Jarchow (Roy) Bruce got his start at The Second City with Tim and George where he won a Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance in Well I'm Off to the Thirty Years War in 1981. His Chicago theater credits include Chicago Conspiracy Trial (Remains); David Mamet's Lake Boat, The Water Engine and Edmund (Goodman). New York credits include Edmund, True West, and Sills & Company. He has made over 40 TV appearances including Seinfeld, ER, Desperate Housewives, Parks and Recreation, and Boss. His over 20 film credits include Ghost, The Doctor, Outbreak, Continental Divide and The Weatherman. In 2011 Bruce and his wife Nancy wrote, produced and starred in their own show, Been There, Still There. He grew up in Northbrook and is a Cubs fan.

Katherine Keberlein (Gwendolyn Pigeon) This is Katherine's debut with Northlight Theatre. Katherine worked most recently with Circle Theatre in When the Rain Stops Falling, which will play again at the Greenhouse Theatre January/February, 2013, and with Steppenwolf (U/S in Clybourne Park), Profiles (Janine in 50 Words – Jeff nomination for Principal Actress in a Play) and Oracle Theatre as the title character in Ironmistress. She has worked with Oak Park Festival Theatre, Remy Bumppo, Provision Theatre, Theater at the Center, Illinois Theatre Center, Light Opera Works and Buffalo Theatre Ensemble. She is a member of SAG with numerous commercial and independent film credits. Katherine travels internationally to perform classic American music as a vocalist with TrioChicago & Friends.

Phil Ridarelli (Speed) Phil Ridarelli received his BFA in Acting from The Theatre School. He is a proud member of The Neo-Futurists performing Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind since its inception in '89. He is pleased to return to Northlight where he created the role of Carl in Lonely Planet directed by the author Steven Dietz. Other roles: The Mystery of IRMA VEP (Madison Rep), Battle of the Bands (Victory Gardens), and the European Premiere of The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? at Vienna's English Theatre directed by Pam McKinnon.

The Box Office is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturdays 12:00pm-5:00pm. On performance days, the box office hours are extended through showtime. The Box Office is closed on Sundays, except on performance days when it is open two hours prior to showtime.

Curtain times are: Tuesdays: 7:30pm (except November 13 and 27); Wednesdays: 1:00pm and 7:30pm (except November 21); Thursdays: 7:30pm (except November 22); Fridays: 8:00pm (except Opening on November 9 at 7:30pm); Saturdays: 2:30pm (except November 3) and 8:00pm; Sundays: 2:30pm, and 7:00pm (except November 11, November 18, and December 9).

Northlight is continuing its popular special event series in conjunction with each production. All events are free for subscribers and ticket holders.

Community Conversations is a series of post-show discussions. Local experts join a Northlight facilitator, engaging audiences in a dialogue about the play's themes and the creative process behind live theatre! The post-show discussions for The Odd Couple will be held on Sundays, November 4 & 18 after the 2:30 performances; Tuesday, November 6 after the 7:30 performance; Wednesday, November 7, after the 7:30 performance; and Wednesdays November 14 & 21 after the 1:00pm performances.

Backstage with BJ is a mid-day discussion with Artistic Director BJ Jones, featuring special guest artists, actors, directors and designers, offering behind-the-scenes insight into each production while it is still in rehearsal. Backstage with BJ for The Odd Couple will be held on October 26 at 12:00pm and will last approximately one hour. Reservations are required, 847.679.9501 x3555 or specialevents@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 in its 38th season, the organization has mounted nearly 200 productions, including over 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.

For more information, visit northlight.org.

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