Northlight Theatre Closes Eclipsed 2/20/11

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Eclipsed by Danai Gurira, directed by Hallie Gordon. The production runs January 13-February 20, 2011, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie. The press openings are January 22, 2011 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm

Amid the chaos of the Liberian Civil War, the captive wives of a rebel officer band together to form a fragile community-until the balance of their lives is upset by the arrival of a new girl who can read and the return of a former captive turned rebel soldier. Drawing on reserves of wit and compassion, each woman must discover her own means of survival in this deeply felt portrait of women finding and testing their own strength.

"The remarkable thing about Eclipsed, is that, despite the bleakness of the world of Danai Gurira's play, the central characters-five extraordinary women-display such resilience and self-reliance, that their capability to form a family in the face of such adversity is both uplifting and spiritually nourishing," says Artistic Director BJ Jones. "These unique women not only survived, but adapted to, the horrifying truth of their lives. Chicago is a world away from the African Diaspora. We are very proud to present Danai's work to Chicago, the spirit of which should provide reflection and inspiration for all of us who are fortunate enough to live a life of privilege and relative political stability."

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).

The designers are Jack Magaw (set), Myron Elliott, Jr. (costumes), Charles Cooper (lights), and Christopher Kriz (sound). Rose Marie Packer is the stage manager.

Danai Gurira (Playwright) is a playwright and actor. She was the recipient of a TCG New Generations travel grant for her play Eclipsed, which received premiere productions at Woolly Mammoth, Center Theater Group and Yale Repertory Theater. She co-created and performed in the award-winning two-woman play In the Continuum, for which she won an Obie Award, the Outer Critics John Gassner Award, the Global Tolerance Award (Friends of the United Nations), a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress, and was honored by the Theatre Hall of Fame. On Broadway, Danai starred in Lincoln Center Theater's production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone. Films include The Visitor, 3 Backyards, My Soul to Keep and Restless City. She has taught playwriting and acting in Liberia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and is currently completing a historical Zimbabwean piece entitled The Convert (a commission with TCG). She received her MFA in acting from Tisch, NYU. Danai was born in the U.S. to Zimbabwean parents and raised in Zimbabwe.

Hallie Gordon (Director) is directing at Northlight Theatre for the first time. Her recent directing credits include To Kill a Mockingbird for Steppenwolf for Young Adults, House on Mango Street adapted by Tanya Saracho, the world premiere of Harriet Jacobs adapted by Lydia Diamond as well as a new premiere of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye which won a Black Excellence Award from the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago. This production transferred Off-Broadway to The New Victory Theatre. For First Look Repertory of New Work, at Steppenwolf, Hallie directed The Sparrow Project written by Melanie Marnich. She is currently serving as the Artistic and Education Director for Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and as the Artistic Director for The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake.

Alana Arenas recently appeared in Etiquette of Vigilance and The Brother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf and The Arabian Nights at Lookingglass Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Kansas City Repertory Theater. She joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2007 and created the role of Pecola Breedlove for the Steppenwolf for Young Adults production of The Bluest Eye, which also played at the New Victory Theater Off-Broadway. Other theatre credits include The Tempest, The Crucible, Spare Change and The Sparrow Project (Steppenwolf); Black Diamond (Lookingglass); Eyes (ETA); SOST (MPAACT); WVON (Black Ensemble Theater); and Hecuba (Chicago Shakespeare Theater). Television and film credits include The Beast and Kabuku Rides. She is originally from Miami where she began her training at the New World School of the Arts. Alana holds a BFA from the Theatre School at DePaul.

Paige Collins (The Girl) recently understudied A Civil War Christmas at Northlight. She has been seen most recently in Hunting and Gathering (Theatre Seven of Chicago) and The Twins Would Like to Say (Dog and Pony Theatre). She holds a BFA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where she was seen in (Anon)ymous, Necessary Targets, and In the Continuum. She's proud to be working on such an inspiring piece of theatre.

Tamberla Perry (Maima), making her Northlight Theatre, was last seen in Steppenwolf Theatre's First Look production The North Plan. Recent credits include the award-winning Brother/Sister Plays (Steppenwolf, BTA Award and Jeff Award); Fedra - The Queeen of Haiti, Black Diamond (Lookingglass); The Overwhelming (Next); She Calls Up the Sun, Blaxploitation 1 and Blax 2: You know we deux (MPAACT, Best Actress BTA Award). Regional Credits include: Bus Stop (Madison Repertory); Icarus (Lookingglass at the Getty Villa, Los Angeles); The Piano Lesson (Portland Stage Company). Film credits include Puzzled Love and Tapioca. Tamberla can also be heard on many national voiceover commercials via radio and television. She is a proud member of MPAACT theatre!

Leslie Ann Sheppard (Bessie) has appeared in Chicago in The Hundred Dresses (Chicago Children's Theater), The Lost Boys of Sudan and The Snow Queen (Victory Gardens), Baby (Metropolis), A House With No Walls (TimeLine), Harriet Jacobs (Steppenwolf). Regional theatre credits include the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and the Bristol Renaissance Faire. She holds multiple certifications as a stage combatant through the Society of American Fight Directors and a BA in Acting from Illinois State University. She is also a founding company actor, adaptor and secretary for the Suitcase Shakespeare Company.

Penelope Walker (Rita) previously appeared at Northlight in Gee's Bend and bee-luther-hatchee (Black Theatre Alliance Award nomination). Goodman credits include A Christmas Carol, The Story, Crowns and Wit. Other Chicago credits are J. Nicole Brooks' world premiere Black Diamond: The Years the Locusts Have Eaten (Lookingglass); Don DeLillo's Love Lies Bleeding (Steppenwolf); Lydia R. Diamond's world premiere Voyeurs de Venus (Chicago Dramatists, BTA Award nomination); Omnium Gatherum (Next, After Dark Award); Chris T (Ma'at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre); The Clink (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); Shakin' the Mess Outta Misery (Chicago Theatre Company, BTA Award nomination). She appeared in a year-long regional tour with the critically acclaimed Crowns, written and directed by ReGina Taylor. Regional credits include ALLIANCE THEATRE, Arena Stage, Hartford Stage and Alley Theatre. Film credits are Severed Ties and the film short Flowers.

Tickets for Eclipsed, $30-50, 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).

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 at 7:30pm (except January 18, February 1 and 8); Wednesdays at 1:00pm and 7:30pm (except February 2); Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 2:30pm (except January 15) and 8:00pm; Sundays at 2:30pm and 7:00pm (except January 30, February 20; The January 23 performance is at 6:00pm only).

This season, Northlight introduced two new special event series in conjunction with each production and announces the return of Backstage with BJ. All events are free for subscribers and ticket holders.

Casual Friday is an informal evening of conversation and socializing for the after-work crowd. The evening includes a pre-show cash bar, mingling with artists, and a short presentation and Q&A, followed by the evening's performance at 8:00 pm. Casual Friday for Eclipsed will be held January 21 at 6:30 pm. Reservations are required, specialevents@northlight.org or 847.679.9501 x3555.

Salon Series is a series of panel discussions led by local experts for audience members to gain deeper insight into each of the five plays-including historical context, playwright background and influences and much more. Salon Series is held at noon prior to select Sunday matinee performances. The Salon for Eclipsed will be held at 1:00 pm on February 6 with the topic: "Human Rights on the World Stage." Reservations are required, specialevents@northlight.org or 847.679.9501 x3555.

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 Eclipsed will be held on January 7 at 12:00 pm and will last approximately one hour. Reservations are required, specialevents@northlight.org or 847.679.9501 x3555.

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.
Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Edgerton Foundation for New American Plays Award; Ernst & Young; Harris Bank; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Kirkland & Ellis Foundation; The Lehman Family American Experience Series; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; MetLife Foundation; MakeItBetter.net; McKinsey & Company; National Endowment for the Arts; North Shore Center for the Performing Arts Foundation; Nuveen Investments; The Pauls Foundation; Sanborn Family Foundation; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Sullivan Family Foundation; and the Theatre Communications Group.

FACTS
Title: Eclipsed
By: Danai Gurira
Directed by: Hallie Gordon

Dates: Press openings: January 22, 2011 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm
Regular run: January 13-February 20, 2011

Schedule: Tuesdays: 7:30pm (except January 18, February 1 and 8)
Wednesdays: 1:00pm and 7:30pm (except Feb 2)
Thursdays: 7:30pm
Fridays: 8:00pm (with Casual Friday at 6:30pm January 21)
Saturdays: 2:30pm (except Jan 15) and 8:00pm
Sundays: 2:30pm and 7:00pm (except January 30, February
20, and January 23 when performance is at 6:00pm only; with
Salon Series at 1:00pm, February 6)

Location: Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore Center for
the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.

Tickets: Previews: $30-$45
Regular run: $40-$50
Tickets for those 25 and under are $10, any performance, (subject to availability)

Box Office: The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie.
847.673.6300; northlight.org

Danai Gurira was the recipient of a TCG New Generations travel grant for her Eclipsed, which received premiere productions at Woolly Mammoth, Center Theater Group and Yale Repertory Theater.

Danai Gurira co-created and performed in the award-winning two-woman play In the Continuum, for which she won an Obie Award, the Outer Critics John Gassner Award, the Global Tolerance Award (Friends of the United Nations), a Helen Hayes Award for Best Lead Actress, and was honored by the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Director Hallie Gordon is working at Northlight for the first time. Her most recent directorial project was To Kill A Mockingbird, the critically-acclaimed Steppenwolf for Young Adults production. She is the Artistic and Education Director for Steppenwolf for Young Adults at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Artistic Director for The Chicago Park District's Theater on the Lake.

 

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