Photo Flash: Northlight Theatre Opens 2016-17 Season with CITY OF CONVERSATION

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents the Midwest Premiere of The City of Conversation, opening Northlight's 42nd Season. The City of Conversation by Anthony Giardina and directed by Marti Lyons, runs September 15 - October 23, 2016 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press opening is scheduled for Friday, September 23 at 8 pm.

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 play starts in the 1970s where we encounter an elite group of Georgetownian socialites and one hostess in particular, Hester, who exerts her influence by throwing parties where Senators, diplomats, as well as journalists and celebrities might mingle and converse," said director Marti Lyons. "Hester is based on numerous women in history who would coordinate this sort of "cocktail diplomacy" creating the possibility for dialogue across the aisle between Republicans and Democrats in a way that doesn't exist anymore."

"Anthony Giardina's play makes one yearn for that civility, that subtle chess match, that mutual respect leaving the participants with their sense of dignity and the feeling that they were heard," said Artistic Director BJ Jones. "As we watch the personal battles in Hester's life emerge, we observe the shift to our own current state of painful combativeness, of take no prisoners tactics and the blood sport of modern politics."

Marti Lyons adds, "One of the things I love about this play is how respectful it is to each side of the political dialogue, the discourse is represented so thoughtfully. In our current political climate where it can seem impossible for people to speak to each other across the political aisle, I hope this play at Northlight will truly be able to spark conversation across our theatrical aisles."

The cast includes Greg Matthew Anderson (Colin Ferris/Ethan), Tim Decker (Chandler Harris), Mattie Hawkinson (Anna Fitzgerald), Tyler Kaplan (young Ethan), Brian Keys (Donald Logan), Tim Monsion (George Mallonee), Lia Mortensen (Hester Ferris), Elaine Rivkin (Carolyn Mallonee) and Natalie West (Jean Swift).

The designers include Tom Burch (Set Design), Sally Dolembo (Costume Design), Sarah Hughey (Lighting Design), and Joe Cerqua (Sound Design). Rita Vreeland is the stage manager.