Act Out: Chi, IL Live Theatre On Our Radar--Woody Sez at Northlight Theatre

Northlight Theatre celebrates the

100^th Anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth with

Woody Sez – The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie,

a musical portrait of one of America’s great folk musicians

Through October 21, 2012

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Woody Sez – The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie, devised by David M. Lutken and Nick Corley, directed by Nick Corley. The production runs September 14 – October 21, 2012 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd.

The legendary Woody Guthrie defined an American era of social consciousness and political expression with songs like “This Land is Your Land” and “The Ballad of Tom Joad.”  This musical portrait, featuring more than 30 of Woody’s stirring ballads and joyous anthems, celebrates the colorful life and rich musical legacy of America’s great folk troubadour.

Northlight is proud to honor this American legend during his Centennial year.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, “In 1991, our audience enjoyed Woody Guthrie's American Song which won the Jeff Award for best musical.  Now to celebrate his 100th birthday, we bring this fresh take on Woody Guthrie to the Northlight stage.  Created by and starring world class artist David Lutken and directed by Broadway's Nick Corley, Woody Sez is a celebration of the musicality and social conscience of one of America's greatest troubadours.  It resurrects Woody’s spirit of hope and fierce American determination.”

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 September 25, October 2 and 16); Wednesdays: 1:00pm (except September 26) and 7:30pm (except October 10); Thursdays: 7:30pm; Fridays: 8:00pm (except Opening on September 21 at 7:30pm); Saturdays: 2:30pm (except September 15) and 8:00pm; Sundays: 2:30pm, and 7:00pm (except September 23, October 7 and 21).

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

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 Woody Sez – The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie will be held on September 14th at 12:00pm and will last approximately one hour. Reservations are required, 847.679.9501 x3555 or specialevents@northlight.org.

Hootenannies are informal post-show “jam sessions” with the artists from the production. Audience members are invited to bring their own instruments and join the artists onstage to play for approximately one hour after the performance. Rhythm instruments will be available for those that wish to join in but don’t have their own instruments. All are welcome, players and listeners alike. No reservations required. Hootenannies will be held following the performances October7 (after 2:30pm) and October 14 (after 7:00pm).

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.

This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest, is generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts with additional contributions from Illinois Arts Council.

Media sponsorship for this production is provided by WFMT.

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; and Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Location: Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore Center for

        the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.

Tickets:

Regular run: $25-$72

Student tickets are $15, any performance,

(subject to availability)

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.

847.673.6300; northlight.org

• Northlight celebrates the 100^th Anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth with Woody Sez.

• Hootenannies, informal post-show “jam sessions” with the artists from the production, will be held following the performances October7 (after 2:30pm) and October 14 (after 7:00pm). Audience members are welcome to bring their own instruments.

• Woody Sez world premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007, and subsequently toured Ireland, Great Britain and Germany before ever appearing in the United States.

• The Evanston Public Library is planning a series of events to celebrate the centennial year of Woody Guthrie in partnership with Northlight’s production: screening of PBS American Masters: Woody Guthrie: Ain't Got No Home on October 9.

The legendary Woody Guthrie defined an American era of social consciousness and political expression with songs like "This Land is Your Land" and "The Ballad of Tom Joad." This musical portrait, featuring Woody's stirring ballads and joyous anthems, celebrates the colorful life and rich musical legacy of America's great folk troubadour.

Northlight is proud to honor this American legend during his Centennial year!

FEATURING:

David M. Lutken

Darcie Deaville

David Finch

Helen Jean Russell

Associate Director | Sherry Lutken
Scenic Design | Luke Hegel-Cantarella
Costume Design | Jeffrey Meek
Lighting Design | Chris Binder
Sound Design | Rick Sims
Production Stage Manager | Rita Vreeland