ACT OUT: Northlight Theatre announces the first selections of its 2013-14 season

 Northlight Theatre announces the first selections of its 2013-14 season

including a World Premiere by Christian O’Reilly, featuring John Mahoney,

Amy Herzog’s 4000 Miles and

Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize winner Lost in Yonkers

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces three of the five productions of the 2013-14 season: Amy Herzog’s award-winning play 4000 Miles; the World Premiere of Christian O’Reilly’s Chapatti, featuring John Mahoney; and Neil Simon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Lost in Yonkers. Two additional titles will be announced soon.

“Northlight's connection to its audience is deep and powerful, and we hear, repeatedly, that one of the reasons for that strong relationship is the play choices,” says BJ Jones.  “Year after year our subscribers return to enjoy our work, joined by an increasing number of single ticket buyers from all over Chicagoland.  It is a season that examines intergenerational relationships with joy and keen insight, through fresh new work like 4000 Miles and Chapatti and classics like Lost in Yonkers.  And, of course, we are thrilled that our frequent collaborator John Mahoney joins us for the World Premiere of Chapatti.”

The 2012-13 season includes:

4000 Miles

by Amy Herzog

September 14 – October 20, 2013

At the end of an arduous cross-country bike trip, a rudderless 21 year-old seeks refuge in his elderly grandmother’s West Village apartment.  These two outsiders face ideological differences, but ultimately find their way together in “a beautifully rendered portrait” (The New York Times) of a cross-generational relationship.

4000 Miles was named Time Magazine's #1 Play of 2012; the winner of the Obie Award, Best New Play (2012) and received The New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award (2012).

The World Premiere of

Chapatti

by Christian O’Reilly

featuring John Mahoney
March 7 – April 13, 2014

Romance is a distant memory for two lonely animal-lovers living in Dublin.  When forlorn Dan and his dog Chapatti cross paths with amiable Betty and her nineteen cats, an unexpected spark begins a warm and gentle story about two people re-discovering the importance of human companionship. 

John Mahoney returns to Northlight for this World Premiere play by the acclaimed Irish playwright Christian O’Reilly.

Lost in Yonkers
by Neil Simon

May 2 – June 8, 2014

This nostalgic memory play takes us back to the summer of 1942 – WWII is on, and Eddie, flat broke, has no alternative but to leave his sons with their grandmother while he struggles to pay off his debts.  The boys are left to contend with an ill-tempered Grandma, the sweet but damaged Aunt Bella, and Uncle Louie, a small-time hoodlum in a strange new world called Yonkers.

Lost in Yonkers won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play.

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 2013-14 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 2013.  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 $105-$235.  A limited number of season subscriptions for the Opening Night performances (also includes a reception with the cast) are available for $300, 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 in its 38^th 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.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; Arts Midwest; Blackman Kallick Bartelstein, LLP; BMO Harris Bank; Draft FCB; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Edgerton Foundation for New American Plays Award; Ernst & Young; Evanston Community Foundation; Gand Music & Sound; The Homestead Hotel; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The Irving Harris Foundation; The Joyce Foundation; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Madison Dearborn Partners; Melvoin Award for Playwriting; Modestus Bauer Foundation; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation; Nuveen Investments; The Offield Family Foundation; The Pauls Foundation; Pioneer Press; Quince at the Homestead; Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Foundation; Room & Board; Sanborn Family Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Skokie Fine Arts Council; Sullivan Family Foundation; Target; and Tom Stringer Design Partners.