Felicia P. Fields, Paula Scrofano & More Set For Northlight Season

Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce casting for the first half of the season. The uplifting holiday musical A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration, directed by Henry Godinez, features Tony-nominee Felicia P. Fields (The Color Purple) who returns to Northlight after the spring 2010 production of Low Down Dirty Blues; and sixteen-time Jeff nominee Paula Scrofano, among the all-Chicago cast. Eclipsed, by Danai Gurira, directed by Hallie Gordon, is led by Alana Arenas (Steppenwolf's The Bluest Eye) and Tamberla Perry (Steppenwolf's The Brother/Sister Plays). The previously announced cast for the season opener Daddy Long Legs features Megan McGinnis (Broadway credits include Eponine in the revival of Les Misérables; Beth in Little Women; Belle in Beauty and the Beast; original cast of Parade, among others) and Robert Adelman Hancock (national tour of Mamma Mia!).

"World class artists like Paula Vogel and John Caird and important and emerging playwright Danai Guriara hallmark Northlight's 36th season, says BJ Jones. "Paired with some of Chicago's finest performers, including Tony nominee Felicia Fields, Paula Scrofano and Alana Arenas, this season's selections reflect our mission ‘to bring the world to our community and our community to the world.'"

About A Civil War Christmas
A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration by Paula Vogel, directed by Henry Godinez, runs November 11-December 19, 2010. The press opening is November 20, 2010.

The cast includes Broadway's Felicia P. Fields, sixteen-time Jeff nominee Paula Scrofano (The Drowsy Chaperone, Fiddler on the Roof at Marriott), Derek Hasenstab (The Lion King Broadway national tour), David Girolmo (Broadway revival of Candide, Kiss Me Kate at Drury Lane Oakbrook), Kevin Douglas (Lookingglass Alice at Lookingglass and national tour), Alex Goodrich (The Emperor's New Clothes at Chicago Shakespeare), James Earl Jones II (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Drury Lane Water Tower), Mildred Marie Langford (The Twins Would Like to Say at Dog + Pony Theatre), Bethany Jorgenson (A Christmas Carol at the Goodman) and Will Clinger (WTTW's Wild Chicago) as President Abraham Lincoln. Two roles are yet to be cast.

On Christmas Eve in 1864, a fugitive from slavery and her young daughter have become separated in unfamiliar Washington, DC. As the desperate mother searches the snowy streets for her child and Mary Todd Lincoln searches for the perfect Christmas tree for the White House, familiar faces from our nation's history cross paths and storylines in this uplifting epic filled with traditional music and themes of family, reconciliation and communal hope.

About Eclipsed
Eclipsed by Danai Gurira, directed by Hallie Gordon, runs January 13 - February 20, 2011. The press opening is January 22, 2011.

The cast includes Alana Arenas (The Bluest Eye at Steppenwolf and Black Diamond at Lookingglass), Paige Collins (The Twins Would Like to Say at Dog + Pony Theatre), Tamberla Perry (The Brother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf and Fedra at Lookingglass), Leslie Ann Sheppard (Harriet Jacobs at Steppenwolf, The Hundred Dresses with Chicago Children's Theatre) and Penelope Walker (Gee's Bend at Northlight).

Amid the wreckage of the Liberian civil war, the "wives" of a rebel officer band together to form a fragile community-until the balance of their lives is upset by the arrival of two newcomers and the return of a former "wife" turned rebel soldier. As the war draws to a close, each must discover her own personal means of survival in this deeply felt portrait of women finding and testing their own strength.

About Daddy Long Legs
Daddy Long Legs, directed by John Caird, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning director of Les Misérables, with music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, composer of Jane Eyre, runs September 16 - October 24, 2010. The press opening is Saturday, September 25, 2010.

The previously announced casting for the new musical includes Megan McGinnis and Robert Adelman Hancock.

This charming musical love story from the Tony and Olivier Award-winning director of Les Miserables and the creators of Jane Eyre is presented in association with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Rubicon Theatre Company, TheatreWorks, David Elzer and Executive Producer Michael Jackowitz.

Jerusha Abbott's prayers seem answered when the generosity of an anonymous gentleman allows her to move from orphanage to university. Through her grateful letters, Jerusha shares her life with her mysterious benefactor as she grows into an intelligent, independent New American Woman and discovers a budding romance with a wealthy young suitor. Yet there is one startling fact that Jerusha has yet to uncover-one that will change her life forever.

Tickets
Tickets for Daddy Long Legs and A Civil War Christmas are $35-50 for previews and $45-$55 for the regular run. Tickets for Eclipsed are $30-45 for previews and $40-$50 for the regular run. Tickets are available by phone, 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID; subject to availability).

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.

About Northlight
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 36th season, the organization has mounted over 165 productions, including more than 33 world premieres. Northlight has earned 145 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.