NYC's Musically Human Theatre Moves to Highland Park

Musically Human Theatre (MHT), a professional not-for-profit company focusing on musical theatre, has signed a lease with the City of Highland Park for space in the Karger Center at 1850 Green Bay Road, Producing Artistic Director David Norwood announced today. MHT's first season in the venue recently vacated by The Music Theatre Company will include intimate new productions of Passion, Next to Normal and Cabaret.

The company founded in New York City in 2010 has established a strong reputation for producing intimate revivals as well as new works in Manhattan venues that included the Duplex Cabaret Theatre in the West Village, the Richmond Shepard Theatre and CAP21's 5th Floor Theatre. Norwood began to look for a new home outside the NYC region after frustrations built with the limiting structure of the New York theatre world. Norwood explained, "the costs of doing business in the city in addition to lack of adequate and affordable spaces made it impossible for the company to do the kind of work that we wanted to do. New York City economics and audience habits that lead them to Broadway shows made it virtually impossible for a small non-for-profit like MHT to continue to exist."

Norwood began to look around the country for potential new homes and was attracted to Chicago for its abundance of storefront theaters. He soon struck up an acquaintance with Michael Halberstam, the Artistic Director of Writers Theatre in Glencoe, who now serves on MHT's Board of Advisors. "Writers Theatre is delighted to welcome Musically Human to the neighborhood. The more Live Theatre on the Northshore the better it is for all of us!," says Michael. "David Norwood has put together a very exciting and ambitious season and I am looking forward to every production and thrilled to be helping in an advisory capacity."

"Michael helped sell me on the Chicago theater community," Norwood says. "He also convinced me there was room for more professional theater on the North Shore. He told me about the vacancy at the Karger Center and I e-mailed Highland Park's Cultural Arts Commission to inquire about securing it."

Norwood promises North Shore and Chicago audiences highly professional productions that will compare favorably with the best of the area's professional storefront companies. MHT has signed a Tier-N Chicago Area Contract (CAT) with Actors' Equity and will employ up to two Equity performers per show. Additionally, MHT has brought on as music director Jeff award winner Aaron Benham, known for his work with companies including Theo Ubique, Kokandy Productions, Bailiwick Chicago, Porchlight and others.

"This move to Highland Park marks the beginning of a new era for MHT," said Norwood. "It is convenient, comfortable, and offers audiences an intimate relationship to an especially fine stage space. It will prove a perfect fit for the work to come from MHT."

Norwood also says about the Karger Center, "It is incredibly exciting for us to be in a facility where the performance space is so intimate. The intimacy of the Karger allows our designers and me to continue to reinvestigate the audience/actor relationship, and the audience's experience of a production. The Karger Center is a wonderfully creative place to work while in a beautiful and convenient location in the heart of the North Shore. We look forward to becoming a part of the Highland Park community and the surrounding neighborhoods."

Norwood will direct all three productions in the inaugural Highland Park season. Leading the cast of Passion will be two-time Jeff Award winner Kelli Harrington as Fosca. Jeff Award-winner Aaron Benham is Music Director. The design team includes Arnel Sancianco (scenic design), Virginia Varland (costume design), and John Kelly (lighting design). Full casting for Passion and the remainder of the season will be announced soon. Single ticket and season subscriptions are now on sale at www.musicallyhuman.org.

MUSICALLY HUMAN THEATRE'S 2016/17 SEASON:

PASSION
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Directed by David Norwood
Music Direction by Aaron Benham
Previews October 27, 28 at 7:00pm
Opens: Saturday, October 29 at 7:00pm
Runs through November 27, 2016
(Thurs-Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm)
All tickets - $40.00

A handsome army captain, assigned to a remote outpost far from his married lover, finds himself pursued by a mysterious woman with a dangerous obsession. Intimate, raw, erotic and dark, Passion explores universal yet often unspoken truths. Experience this remarkable work that many consider to be Sondheim's deepest and most powerful evening of music theatre.

NEXT TO NORMAL
Music by Tom Kitt
Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Directed by David Norwood
Previews February 16, 17
Opens: Saturday, February 18 at 7:00pm
Runs through March 19, 2017
(Thurs-Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm)

This emotional powerhouse portrays the intricacies of a family trying to take care of themselves and each other in the face of a mother's deteriorating mental state. Cathartic and ultimately uplifting, with an exhilarating contemporary score, this Tony Award winner also took home the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

CABARET
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Previews June 1, 2
Opens: Saturday, June 3 at 7:00pm
Runs through July 2, 2017
(Thurs-Sat at 7pm, Sun at 3pm)

Immerse yourself in Berlin's Kit Kat Klub, where the Emcee, Sally Bowles, and a raucous ensemble take the stage nightly to tantalize the crowd - and leave their troubles outside. But as life in prewar Germany grows more uncertain, will the decadent allure of Berlin nightlife be enough to get them through their dangerous times? With an unforgettable score and a cast of 10 actor musicians, Cabaret is sure to be the theatrical event of the season!

Musically Human will offer 2 and 3 - show subscriptions for its 2016/17 season, starting at $68. Benefits of subscribing include reserved seats, saving up to 20% off the regular single ticket price, free parking and more. Subscriptions may be purchased by calling 866-811-4111 or online at www.musicallyhuman.org.

All main stage performances are on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm, and Sundays at 3pm.

Student Rush tickets are sold 30 minutes prior to every performance on a first-come, first-served basis, limit one seat per ID. Subject to availability.

Founded in New York and reborn in Highland Park, Musically Human Theatre's mission is to re-imagine music theatre works that awaken our social conscience, focusing on the strength of actors and musicians, and engaging audiences in uniquely intimate theatrical experiences.

David Norwood is a 2014 New York Innovative Theatre Award and AUDELCO Award nominee for Best Choreography for Salome: Da Voodoo Princess of Nawlins. His other recent work includes The Remembrance Project: Trail of Tears, The Little Rock Nine Project, The Remembrance Project: Darfur, The Remembrance Project: Rwanda, Next to Normal, Night of the Living Dead the Musical, Nevermore, [title of show], Promises, Promises and Ragtime. He has also directed works by Lorraine Hansberry, Tony Kushner, David Mamet and George C. Wolfe. Norwood studied at Point Park University, The Ailey School and the Joffrey Ballet School. He has danced with Graham II, performed with Broadway legend, Carol Channing and has worked with many esteemed artists such as Milton Meyers, Sidra Bell, Ron K. Brown among others. He is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).

For more information on Musically Human Theatre, visit www.musicallyhuman.org.

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