The world premiere of the new musical Daydream Believer will take place at the Theatre Royal Plymouth where will it play a limited run starting on August 26th and run through September 6th. The musical is based off the songs and experiences of the 1960's pop group The Monkees.

According to press notes the story tells the journey of four musicians who "unwittingly become stand-ins for the most famous group in the world. It is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for those who remember the TV series”. It includes hits such as “I’m a Believer”, “Steppin’ Stone”, “Hey, Hey We're The Monkees”, “Last Train to Clarksville”, and of course, "Daydream Believer".

The original Monkees were Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork and Micky Dolenz and came into their success when they were thrown together as a fictional pop group on a television series. After their first album was released, however, they became the real deal and propelled them into a long music career including collaborations with Neil Diamond and Carole King.

The musical is written by Peter Benedict and directed by David Taylor. Casting will be announced at a further date. After the run in Plymouth the musical will tour at Belfast, Windsor, Stoke-On-Trent, Woking, Glasgow, Richmond, Cambridge, Brighton, Bromley, Darlington and Eastbourne. More dates locations are also expected to be announced.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) kicks off the 2008/09 Subscription Season with Peter Shaffer’s award-winning drama, Amadeus, staged by CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin. Shaffer brings us into the tumultuous lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his obsessively jealous rival, Viennese court composer Antonio Salieri. Overcome with envy of Mozart’s divinely inspired music, Salieri believes God has bestowed genius upon an “unmannered fool” and sets out to destroy his rival and take revenge upon an uncaring God. Performed in Chicago Shakespeare’s Courtyard Theater, Amadeus begins previews Saturday, September 6, 2008 and runs through Sunday, November 9, 2008. Tickets are $44-70 and can be purchased beginning August 1 by calling Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Box Office at 312.595.5600 or by visiting the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com/amadeus.

In Shaffer’s story of faith and genius—loosely based on the intertwining lives of Salieri and Mozart—Salieri addresses his audience of theatergoers and claims that he may have killed the greatest composer ever known. Initially curious about this highly praised prodigy, then appalled by his vulgar, infantile, boastful behavior, Salieri is shocked by the brilliance of Mozart’s music. Poisoned by his own envy and bitterness, Salieri decides to get revenge on a God who would make “an obscene child” His musical conduit on earth and give Salieri just enough talent to be the only one to appreciate Mozart’s genius.

“This incredible story is really a journey of faith for Salieri,” comments director Griffin. “He’s in a kind of purgatory— he’s not able to make peace with what he did and what he felt was owed to him during his life. Salieri speaks to the audience in Amadeus as a way of finding that peace, and perhaps forgiveness.”

Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus premiered at London’s National Theatre in 1979 and was directed by Peter Hall. The original Broadway production—also directed by Hall—premiered in 1980 and received five Tony Awards, including Best Play. Perhaps the mostwell-known incarnation of Amadeus—the 1984 film—was directed by Milos Forman and received eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The 1999 Broadway revival of Amadeus was again directed by Peter Hall.


Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin returns to Chicago Shakespeare after directing the acclaimed production of Passion featuring Ana Gasteyer last season. During his tenure at CST, Griffin has directed numerous award-winning productions including A Flea in Her Ear, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George and Pacific Overtures. Griffin’s production of Pacific Overtures at Chicago Shakespeare later transferred to Donmar Warehouse in London’s West End, winning three Olivier Awards—including Outstanding Musical Production. On Broadway his directing credits include The Color Purple (11 Tony Nominations including Best Musical) and The Apple Tree (Tony Nomination Best Musical Revival). Off Broadway credits include the world premiere musical Saved, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Beautiful Thing. Beyond his acclaimed work at CST, his Chicago credits include productions at Court Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Writers’ Theatre, Marriott Theatre, and Drury Lane Oakbrook. He has received eight Joseph Jefferson Awards
for directing.

Broadway actor Robert Sella makes his Chicago Shakespeare debut as Antonio Salieri. A veteran of the stage and screen, Sella’s Broadway credits include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cabaret and Side Man. Also appearing on CST’s Courtyard Theater stage for the first time is Robbie Collier Sublett as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. On the East Coast, Sublett has appeared in the Off Broadway musical Gone Missing, and Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s production of The Cherry Orchard among others. Chicago actress Elizabeth Ledo joins the cast of Amadeus as Mozart’s wife Constanze after a successful run as Hero in Chicago Shakespeare’s critically-acclaimed premiere of Funk It Up About Nothin’.

The cast of Amadeus also includes: Lance Baker as Joseph II; Phillip James Brannon as Venticello 2; Danielle Brothers as Teresa Salieri; Chris Cantelmi as Salieri's Valet; Jeremy Clark as Salieri's Cook; David Lively as Count Orsini-Rosenberg; Roger Mueller as Count Von Strack; John Reeger as Baron Van Swieten; Dan Sanders-Joyce as Venticello 1; Kari Sorenson as Katherina Cavalieri; and Ron Turner as Kappelmeister Bonno. Jurgen Hooper, Mackenzie Kyle and Blaine Swen complete the ensemble. The production team for Amadeus includes Tony Award nominated scenic designer Dan Ostling (Metamorphoses, 2002), costume designer Virgil Johnson, lighting designer Philip Rosenberg, sound designers Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen and wig and make-up designer Melissa Veal.

Programs in conjunction with performances of Amadeus include:
• Pre·Amble: half-hour introductory lectures on Amadeus presented by scholars will take place at 2:00 p.m. on select
Saturdays (9/20, 9/27, 10/4) and Sundays (9/21, 9/28, 10/5). Admission is free and reservations are not required.
• Cast Call: informal discussions with the actors in the Theater’s Pub will be Friday, October 10 and November 7 from 6:30
to 7:00 p.m., prior to the 7:30 p.m. curtain. Admission is free. No reservations are required.
• Post-show discussions follow each Wednesday 1:00 p.m. performance. Admission is free. No reservations are required.
• The audio-described performance for patrons with visual impairments will be held on Thursday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
Patrons should reserve a headset when purchasing tickets in advance. “Access Shakespeare” tickets are $27.
• The duo sign-interpreted performance for patrons with hearing impairments will be held on Friday, November 7 at 7:30
p.m. Patrons should request the specific seating area when purchasing tickets in advance. “Access Shakespeare” tickets
are $35.


Amadeus begins previews on Saturday, September 6, 2008 with performances scheduled through Sunday, November 9, 2008. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater’s website at www.chicagoshakes.com/amadeus.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE TICKET PRICES
PREVIEWS Saturday September 6 7:30 p.m. $44
Sunday September 7 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 9 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday September 10 7:30 p.m.
Thursday September 11 7:30 p.m.
Friday September 12 7:30 p.m.

PERFORMANCES Weekdays $54
Tuesday September 16, 23, 30 7:30 p.m.
October 28
November 4
Wednesday September 24 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
November 5 7:30 p.m.
Thursday September 18, 25 7:30 p.m.
October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
November 6

Weekends $70

Friday September 19, 26 7:30 p.m.
October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
November 7
Saturday September 13, 20, 27 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
October 4, 11, 18, 25
November 1, 8
Sunday September 14, 21, 28 3:00 p.m.
October 5, 12, 19, 26
November 2, 9
September 21 7:00 p.m. $54




American Airlines is the official airline of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

ComEd is the official lighting design sponsor of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Artistic productions in the Courtyard Theater are supported, in part, through a generous grant from the McCormick Foundation.

Photo credit: Bill Burlingham

Hypothetical Theatre Company will present the World Premiere of Jennifer Maisel's THERE OR HERE. Workshopped at PlayPenn in Philadelphia, the play was selected as a finalist for the 2007 Sundance Theatre Lab, the 2008 O'Neil Theatre Conference, and the 2008 STAGE International Script Competition for the best new play about science and technology. Directed by Amy Feinberg, previews begin September 6th at the 14th Street Theater. Opening night is slated for Tuesday, September 9th.

THERE OR HERE is a dark comedy about a mixed race couple who outsource their baby-making surrogacy to a woman in India. Nothing is off limits on this non-stop ride through the endless possibilities of outsourcing including customer service, phone sex, and even drive thru dining. It's a story ripped straight from the headlines -- even Oprah Winfrey covered surrogacy outsourcing on a recent show.

The production features Shalin Agarwal , Purva Bedi, Annie Meisels (Pera Pelas with Second Stage), Judy Rosenblatt (Austin Pendelton's American Clock) and Alok Tewari (Rafta Rafta with The New Group), with sets by Mark Szymzak, lighting by Tim Kaufman, sound by Tim Cramer and costumes by Jessica Reed.

Jennifer Maisel is an award winning playwright, television and film writer. She is the recipient of the 2006 Women Working With Women Collaboration Award from the New York Coalition of Professional Women in the Arts and Media for the play birds. In 2002, she was given both the Fund for New American Plays Awards and the Charlotte Woolard Award (from the Kennedy Center) for The Last Seder. Her short plays How I Learned to Spell and Goody F***ing Two Shoes (Humana Festival) were both finalists for the Actors Theatre of Louisville's Heideman Award. Her play Mad Love garnered the Roger L. Stevens Award from the Kennedy Center's Fund for New American Plays and was a finalist for the California Playwrights Competition, the Jane Chambers Playwriting Award and the PEN West Literary Award. Other plays by Maisel include Mallbaby, Eden, ... And The Two Romeos, Dark Hours, and The Last Seder, which is currently running in Los Angeles and will have productions later this year in Minneapolis and St. Louis. Her TV writing credits include the WB series Related.

The Hypothetical Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional producing company in residence at the 14th Street Y. Past productions include Michael Weller's Ghost on Fire, Buying Time and The Heart of Art; Quake by Melanie Marnich; Detail of a Larger Work by Lisa Dillman (ranked in the top five shows of 1998 by TheatreScope Magazine); Michael McKeever's The Garden of Hannah List (winner of the 1998 Carbonell Award); Don Nigro's My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon; and Jeffrey Sweet's The Action Against Sol Schumann. For more information visit www.HypotheticalTheatre.org.

THERE OR HERE runs September 6 -28, Thurs. at 7pm, Fri. & Sat. at 8pm and Sun. at 2 pm with an additional performance Mon. 9/8 and Tues. 9/9 @ 7pm. The 14th Street Theater is located at 344 East 14th Street (between 1st & 2nd Aves. -- accessible from the L train at 14th Street). Tickets are $18, available at 212-352-3101 or www.TheaterMania.com

Marilyn Maye will return for her fifth Metropolitan Room engagement.  In what she is calling a paean to "the lady at the bar," Marilyn Maye is concocting a veritable Molotov cocktail of passion, sex and romance, in an unblinking look at all the ways we find and loose the objects of our desire.  "Love on the Rocks" which premieres on September 6 and plays 7 prime-time shows through September 16, will allow the thrice-married singing sensation a chance to probe even more deeply, and to leap from emotional and musical heights that are usually off-limits to singers a quarter of her age.

Since returning to New York after a 16-year absence in October 2006 (for an appearance at that year's Cabaret Convention and a one-night stand at The Metropolitan Room), Maye has stirred up a groundswell of excitement in four different shows that bowed in March, September and November of last year, and again in April 2008 when she and the audiences resoundingly celebrated her significant birthday in uproarious style.  These four Metropolitan Room engagements, which Rex Reed of The New York Observer says constitute "one of the most triumphant comebacks of the decade," clearly have transformed Maye into the toast of the town.  In January she won a Nightlife Award (for Outstanding Cabaret Vocalist in a Major Engagement), and in April The Back Stage Bistro Awards bestowed a lifetime achievement award.

A pure proponent of the elegant nightclub style that once was the hallmark of large rooms and nightclubs across the country, Maye has amazed a growing number of critics with her seemingly undiminished abilities.  Yes, her singing prowess just gets stronger as the night wears on.  Stephen Holden of The New York Times has marveled that she "dives into jazz and swings with a vocal stamina remarkable for a performer of any age."  He adds, "Ms. Maye combines Broadway brass and jazz with such a natural feel for both that they become twin styles that you can hardly tell apart."

"Love on the Rocks" features Tedd Firth on piano, Jim Eklof (her long-time drummer) and Tom Hubbard on bass.  During her very "up" April birthday show she warned audiences that her September act would be "a real downer," though she assured, "I've learned that people are the happiest when they're drinking and crying."

A Kansas City native and resident, Maye was nominated for a best new artist Grammy in 1965.  She appeared a total of 76 times on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (the most appearances by a singer).

The high-octane Maye toasts "Love on the Rocks" Saturday through Tuesday September 6, 7, 8, 9, and Sunday through Tuesday September 14, 15, 16.  All shows at 7pm except Tuesday September 6 at 7:30pm. The music charge is $30.

Rated "Best of New York" by New York Magazine, the Nightlife and Bistro Award-winning Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, celebrated its second anniversary in May.  For reservations call 212/206-0440. For more information visit www.metropolitanroom.com.

Bistro Award-Winning Dane Vannatter will present a new cabaret and jazz show, "Alone Together: A Tony Bennett Album" on four consecutive Saturday evenings in September, beginning September 6th (10PM) at the New York hotspot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street between 5th & 6th Avenues). Additional performances include: Saturdays--September 13th, September 20th and September 27th at 10PM

Directed by Lennie Watts, the evening will feature songs from the Bennett album including "Alone Together," "Poor Butterfly," "It's Magic," and a rarely sung Bart Howard song "Walk in the Country." Joining Dane Vannatter will be: Bill Duffy on piano; Thomson Kneeland on bass; George Farrell on drums. Dane Vannatter and his ensemble have performed to sold out audiences throughout New England and New York.

Vannatter's distinctive swinging and soulful sound to songs by songwriters such as Harold Arlen, Rodgers & Hart, Stevie Wonder and Craig Carnelia has garnered him the 2006 Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist and the 2000 Bistro Award for Outstanding CD for his second recording, "Flight." He has been nominated for four MAC awards and is a 2007 Nightlife Award finalist. Dane has performed for several years at the annual Mabel Mercer Cabaret Convention at Town Hall and has also performed at the legendary Sardi's and Danny's Skylight Room in New York as well as venues in Boston, San Francisco and Newport. Dane's CDs, here's to life, FLIGHT and Double Standards are all available on his web site, www.danevannatter.com.

Northlight Theatre opens its 2008-09 season with

a new and innovative adaptation of

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher,

directed by Jessica Thebus 

Northlight Theatre opens its 2008-2009 Season with the Chicago Premiere of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, in a fresh adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Jessica Thebus. The production runs September 17-October 26, 2008, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

What happened the night that Henry Jekyll died? Against the backdrop of Victorian London, the respected doctor has begun to display alarmingly erratic behavior toward his friends. At the same time, a mysterious figure haunts the city’s streets under the cloak of the London fog.  Nationally renowned playwright Jeffrey Hatcher brings Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale to life with a fiendishly clever and theatrically innovative new adaptation, with four actors playing Mr. Hyde.

“This season, Northlight heads into fresh and exciting territory, beginning with this macabre and eerie tale of transformation and the battle of good and evil. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde is a stylistic thrill ride orchestrated with chilling artistry and reverence by Northlight favorite Jessica Thebus. Playwright and adaptor Jeffrey Hatcher, author of last season's smash hit Ella, returns to Northlight.  Jeffrey's gift for droll wit and dark insight illuminates this classic theatrical favorite,” comments BJ Jones. 

The cast features Patrick Clear (Ensemble), Thomas J. Cox (Ensemble), Cindy Gold

(Ensemble), Danny McCarthy (Ensemble), Nick Sandys (Dr. Jekyll), and Cora Vander Broek (Elizabeth).

The designers are Collete Pollard (scenic), John Horan (lighting), Tatjana Radisic (costume), Victoria DeIorio (sound).  Adam Ganderson is the stage manager.

Jessica Thebus (Director) most recently collaborated with Northlight when she directed Inherit the Wind in 2006.  She is an Associate Artist with Steppenwolf and an Artistic Associate at About Face Theatre and The Corn Exchange in Dublin, Ireland. Recent projects include Hatcher’s adaptation of The Turn of the Screw at Writers’ Theatre; Welcome Home, Jenny Sutter at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Laura Eason’s adaptation When the Messenger is Hot at Steppenwolf and 59E59 in New York City; The Clean House at The Goodman (After Dark Award–Best Director); Lady Madeline and Intimate Apparel at Steppenwolf; Aren't We All with Remy Bumppo; About Face Theatre’s Pulp (Jeff nomination–Best Director, After Dark Award–Best Production) and Winesburg, Ohio (Jeff nomination–Best Director, After Dark Award–Best Director); Salao: The Worst Kind of Unlucky with Redmoon Theatre (where she is a long time collaborator); and Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl and Abingdon Square by Maria Irene Fornes at Piven, where she is a long time member of the teaching staff. Jessica has also directed at Center Theater, Lifeline Theater, Collaboraction, The University of Notre Dame, Drury Lane and Caravan Productions, as well as touring internationally with the Bread and Puppet Theater. She holds a doctorate in Performance Studies from Northwestern University and has designed courses and taught at The University of Chicago, DePaul, Columbia and Roosevelt. She is currently a faculty member in the Directing Program at Northwestern.

Jeffrey Hatcher (Playwright) wrote the book for Northlight’s recent production of Ella and co-authored Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie (with Mitch Albom) which appeared at Northlight in 2003; He also wrote an adaptation of The Turn of the Screw, which was recently produced at Writers’ Theatre and directed by Jessica Thebus.  He wrote the screenplay for The Duchess, featuring Keira Knightly and Ralph Fiennes, due in theaters this fall. He authored the book for the Broadway musical Never Gonna Dance, and penned the Off-Broadway productions Three Viewings, A Picasso, Scotland Road, The Turn of the Screw, Tuesdays with Morrie, Murder by Poe, Neddy and Fellow Travelers.  His plays – including Compleat Female Stage Beauty, Murderers, Mercy of a Storm, Smash, To Fool the Eye, and Work Song (with Eric Simonson) – have been seen at Yale Rep, The Old Globe, South Coast Rep, Seattle Rep, Denver Center Theatre Company, Actors Theatre of Louisville, and dozens more in the US and abroad.  He wrote the screenplays for Stage Beauty and Casanova, and has authored episodes of the Peter Falk series Columbo.  He is a member and/or alumnus of The Playwrights’ Center, The Dramatists Guild of America, Writers Guild of America and New Dramatists.

Patrick Clear (Ensemble) appeared at Northlight in The Miser and as Mr. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.  Most recently he has been seen in First Folio’s Much Ado About Nothing and Remy Bumppo’s Bronte.  Other Chicago credits include: Oedipus Complex, King Lear, The Clean House, The Goat, Arcadia, Hollywood Arms, Dancing at Lughnasa, Miss Evers’ Boys and A Christmas Carol at the Goodman; Measure for Measure, As You Like It, King Lear and All’s Well at Chicago Shakespeare; Tartuffe at Remy Bumppo; Uncle Vanya and Man of No Importance at Apple Tree.   He appeared on Broadway in Hollywood Arms and Noises Off.  His regional credits include Arena Stage, Guthrie Theater, American Shakespeare Theatre, Center Stage, Folger Shakespeare, Huntington Theater and the Cincinnati Playhouse.  Film and television credits include Dark Knight, Prison Break, Losing Isaiah, The Babe, The Untouchables, Early Edition and In the Best Interests of the Children.

Thomas J. Cox (Ensemble) previously appeared at Northlight in Pride and Prejudice.  A founding ensemble member of Lookingglass, he has appeared in over thirty productions there, including Odyssey, Jungle, West, Arabian Nights, Master and Margarita, Great Fire, They All Fall Down, Summertime, Great Men of Science, 1984, Old Curiosity Shop (Jeff Nomination), Black Diamond, Lookingglass Alice, and most recently as Algren in Nelson Algren: For Keeps and a Single Day.  Other Chicago performing credits: Woman in Black (ITC); Fraulein Else, Raisin (Court); Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me (Victory Gardens); Elephant Man (Steppenwolf Young Audiences); film for Attempters (House).  Directing credits: Lookingglass (original Jeff-nominated adaptation), Eclipse, Piven, Weston Playhouse. Film/Television: Since You’ve Been Gone (Miramax), Chi-Girl (Van Lier Productions), Brotherhood (Showtime).  He is a Master Teacher for Lookingglass, and teaches, through Lookingglass and others, all over Chicagoland, including as adjunct faculty at Northwestern University.

Cindy Gold (Ensemble) has appeared in Northlight’s Pride and Prejudice, Next Theatre's The Misanthrope; Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty's new musical about Gertrude Stein, Loving Repeating; Victory Gardens' The Glamour House; Remy Bumppo's Man and Superman; and Desire Under the Elms, co-produced by Court Theatre (Chicago) and Freedom Repertory in Philadelphia, PA.  She has appeared with Madison Rep, Shakespeare Sedona, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Boston Shakespeare, Peninsula Players, and Mental Floss Improvisation (Miami).  Directing credits include The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole for Rivendell Theatre and Much Ado About Nothing at Northwestern University, where Cindy is an Associate Professor of Theatre.  Dialect coaching includes the national tour of Saturday Night Fever; Regina and Robert Altman's adaptation of his film, A Wedding, both at The Lyric Opera of Chicago; The Little Foxes at Court Theatre; Frozen Assets with Shattered Globe; and The Skull in Connemara at Northlight.

Danny McCarthy (Ensemble) is an ensemble member of A Red Orchid theater and has appeared on many Chicago stages in shows such as Ghetto, Early And Often, Phyrogiants!, Hellcab, Serenading Louis, The Water Engine, American Dead (by Brett Neveu), The Underpants, Take Me Out, and A Red Orchid's production of Mr. Bundy.  Danny originated the role of Special Agent Danny Hale on FOX's Prison Break. He has also been seen on television in ER, What About Joan, and Early Edition. His film credits include Derailed, Fred Clause and Proof. Danny will be seen in the film The Express, to be released in October.

Nick Sandys (Jekyll) previously appeared at Northlight as Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, and choreographed combat for Lady. Other Chicago appearances include: The Real Thing (Jeff nomination), Tartuffe, Aren’t We All?, Arcadia, Money, The Secret Rapture (After Dark Award), No Man’s Land, Hapgood (Remy Bumppo - Artistic Associate); Oedipus Complex (Goodman Theatre); Around the World in 80 Days (Lookingglass); Othello, Romeo & Juliet (Chicago Shakespeare); Much Ado, Richard III, Midsummer Night’s Dream (First Folio- Artistic Associate); The Misanthrope (Jeff nomination) (Next Theatre); and productions at Writers' Theatre, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Shakespeare on the Green, and Irish Repertory.  He also directed Fiction for Remy Bumppo and Twelfth Night for Noble Fool.  Nick is a Fight Director with The Society of American Fight Directors.

Cora Vander Broek (Elizabeth) most recently played Sister James in Doubt (Indiana Repertory Theatre). Recent Chicago credits include: The Seagull, Dancing at Lughnasa, Book of Days (Raven Theatre); Dead End (Griffin Theatre); Being 11 (Serendipity Theatre).  She’s also worked with Steppenwolf Theatre, Lifeline Theatre and The Hypocrites.  Her writing has been featured at Serendipity Theatre’s 2nd Story series.  Regional credits include: The Merry Wives of Windsor and Heartbreak House with Montana Shakespeare in the Parks.  Cora has received a Joseph Jefferson nomination and an After Dark Award.  She is a proud graduate of The School at Steppenwolf.  She recently married Matthew Brumlow.

Tickets for Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, range in price from $25 -$55 and are available by phone, (847) 673-6300, or online at www.northlight.org.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 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. 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 at 7:30 p.m. (except October 7 and 21) ; Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. (except September 17 and 24) and 7:30 p.m. (except October 8); Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. (except September 20) and 8:00 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except October 5, 19 and 26).

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Patrick and Anna M. Cudahy Fund; Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Northern Trust Charitable Trust; The Pauls Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; Sanborn Family Foundation ; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Tthe Shubert Foundation; the Skokie Fine Arts Commission; the Sullivan Family Foundation; and The Chicago Community Trust.

Northlight embarks upon its 34th season in 2008-09 as the fourth largest non-profit theatre in Chicago.  Dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of the North Shore and Chicago, Northlight presents theatrical works which reflect and challenge the values and beliefs of the community it serves while continuing to grow its reputation for launching world premieres, new musicals, heartwarming plays and intelligent dramas.

In its 34-year history, the organization has mounted over 160 productions, including over 33 world premieres, and garnered 140 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 24 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 on Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Northlight Theatre, visit www.northlight.org.

Clinton Cove Park is transformed into fair Verona, where "two houses, both alike in dignity" clash violently as two star-cross'd lovers begin their fateful journey, in Holla Holla Productions' "Romeo and Juliet." Shakespeare's timeless tale of the sweet passion of first love, pitted against a deadly family rivalry, comes alive beneath the moon and beside the Hudson River.

Performing the first three weekends in September--FREE performances Saturday and Sunday, at 3pm and 7pm. All seating is on the grass--picnics encouraged!

 The documentary film "Every Little Step" will be premiering at the Toronto Film Festival on September 6th at 4:30PM, September 8th at 12:30 PM and September 13th at 9AM. The film is produced and directed by James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo.

"Broadway has produced many legendary productions, but A Chorus Line and the story behind it remain special. Every Little Step captures the magic of the show by following the process of casting the 2006 stage revival. The concept is self-referential, given that the very plot of A Chorus Line is about casting a musical, but the filmmakers add another layer by examining how the original show was born when Michael Bennett recorded a group of dancers speaking in confessional mode. Fans of the show may get goosebumps hearing those audio tapes, while newcomers will discover what made Bennett (in the words of the finale song) "one singular sensation/every little step he takes."

This is the third documentary directors James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo have premiered at the Festival. Stern has built a prolific career producing film and Broadway shows, including The Producers and Hairspray. His participation afforded the crew extraordinary access behind the scenes and, for anyone who loves theater, Every Little Step is cause for hip-swaying, high-kicking celebration.

In auditions, we see performers giving everything they've got for songs like "I Can Do That" and "At the Ballet." We meet the original performers Donna McKechnie (who performed "The Music and the Mirror") and Baayork Lee (whose personality and short stature inspired the character Connie) along with the aspiring dancers who hope to revive those roles. Encountering so many talented hopefuls, it is mesmerizing to watch their different interpretations of each character. As part of the dialogue between past and present, composer Marvin Hamlisch reveals how the song known as "Tits and Ass" was almost cut in 1975, while thirty years later new singers out-vamp each other to make it their own.

But who will get the parts? The directors deftly follow the process to the end - the heartbreak of being cut, the exhilaration of being chosen. The result is one thrilling combination, every move this film makes," describe press notes.

James D. Stern was born in Chicago. His producing credits include the theatrical productions Stomp, Hairspray and The Producers and the feature films Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (04), Proof (05) and I'm Not There (07). He made his directorial debut with All the Rage (99), and has since co-produced and co-directed The Year of the Yao (04), …So Goes the Nation (06) and Every Little Step (08) with Adam Del Deo.

Adam Del Deo was born in Portland. He has produced feature films including All the Rage (99), Digging to China (98) and Solstice (08). He co-directed and co-produced the documentaries The Year of the Yao (04) and …So Goes the Nation (06) and Every Little Step (08) with James D. Stern.

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Shakespeare's Globe will present The Factory's production of Hamlet at midnight on September 6th. September 6th marks one year since The Factory performed a secret performance of Hamlet to a small invited audience of Facebook friends.
 
Following those performances, word quickly spread about the unique nature of the shows, and the company decided to perform every Sunday, somewhere in London at a secret location, revealed on the internet only days before. Before long, larger venues had to be found to accommodate the crowds congregating at the designated venues each week. Every performance has sold out since.
 
Appearances and special cameo performances include Kathryn Hunter, Ewan McGregor, Rufus Sewell, Will Keen, Angus Wright, (with an exceptionally special guest planned for the midnight matinee).
 
Artistic Directors of The Factory, Tim Evans and Alex Hassell wished to see if it was possible to produce a hit show with no money, no advertising, no theatre, and no discernible touring schedule. Insisting that if the work was of the highest standard, and that it reconnected audiences with Shakespeare in an immediate and truly live way, then the audiences would keep coming. So far it has worked.
 
It attracted the attention of Dominic Dromgoole, who after attending a show, wished to see it performed at Shakespeare's Globe. It will play as a special, one-night-only, anniversary performance.
 
The production is the brainchild of director Tim Carroll.
 
Every character in the play can be performed from a selection of different actors each night, as each performer has learnt numerous parts. You may for example, see an actor playing Hamlet one night, and Guildenstern the next.

The cast will not know which character they will be playing until just before the show begins, when the audience decide.
 
There is no set. What the actors perform on depends entirely on where The Factory has decided to play. If there is a set, it will belong to someone else's production, which will be used for that one occasion, in this case, the set of the Globe's production of The Merry Wives of Windsor.
 
There are no designated props. Any object that you see on stage or used by an actor will come from the audience. It may be a shoe, a phone, a inflatable dingy...
 
ANYTHING you can bring in to be used. Audience members are encouraged to bring as weird and bold a prop that they can think of! ( Please note, the theater cannot accept responsibility for damaged props! )
 
Directed by Tim Carroll.
With Tamara Harvey and Louis Scheeder.
 
Tim Carroll began his career with the English Shakespeare Company. From 1999 to 2005 he was Associate Director of Shakespeare!s Globe. His many innovative and celebrated productions for the Globe include, Twelfth Night (which received Evening Standard, Olivier, Time Out and Critic!s Circle awards), Richard II, Romeo and Juliet and, in 2005, The Tempest, starring Mark Rylance and Co-Artistic Director of The Factory, Alex Hassell. His RSC production of The Merchant of Venice is currently playing to sold-out houses in Stratford.

Websites:

www.shakespeares-globe.org
www.seehamlet.co.uk
www.factorytheatre.co.uk

Photo Credit Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.