Northlight Theatre Opens 35th Season With THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES 9/17 Thru 10/25

Northlight Theatre opens its 35th Season with the hit musical, The Marvelous Wonderettes. The production runs September 17-October 25, 2009 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

When the entertainment doesn't show up for the Class of 1958 prom, The Wonderettes step in to save the day. Between belting out 50's and 60's favorites like "It's My Party," "Mr. Sandman" and "Dream Lover," the girls trade gossip about high school hijinks and teenage romance. This nostalgic pop musical is currently one of this season's biggest off-Broadway hits!

The Marvelous Wonderettes is directed by Roger Bean. Featuring Cat Davis, Dina DiCostanzo, Laura Taylor and Tempe Thomas. Previews are from September 17 to September 25, 2009, and the press opening is Saturday, September 26, 8.00 p.m. The regular run goes from September 27 to October 25, 2009. Tuesdays: 7:30 p.m. (except Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and 13), Wednesdays: 1:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. (except Oct. 7), Thursdays: 7:30 p.m., Fridays: 8:00 p.m., Saturdays: 2:30 p.m. (except Sept. 19) & 8:00 p.m. (except Oct. 3), Sundays: 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (except Sept. 27, Oct. 4 and 25).

At the Northlight Theatre is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. Tickets are $25- $50 for previews and $25- $55 for the regular run. The Box Office is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd, Skokie. For more information, call (847) 673-6300 or visit www.northlight.org.

Roger Bean (Writer/Director) created and directed the original Milwaukee Rep, Laguna Playhouse, Los Angeles and New York productions of The Marvelous Wonderettes. He received two Los Angeles Ovation Award nominations for Best Director of a Musical for both The Marvelous Wonderettes and Winter Wonderettes, and The Marvelous Wonderettes received the 2007 Los Angeles Ovation Award for Best Musical. In New York City The Marvelous Wonderettes received a 2009 Drama League award nomination for Distinguished Production of a Musical as well as a Broadway.com Audience Award nomination for Favorite New Off-Broadway Musical. Other musicals and revues created by Bean, commissioned and premiered at Milwaukee Repertory Theater, include The Andrews Brothers (Musical Theatre West, Fullerton CLO, Cabaret Oldtown, Cabrillo Music Theatre); Route 66 (Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Phoenix Theatre, Moonlight Avo Playhouse, Oregon Cabaret, Art Station Theatre); Why Do Fools Fall In Love? (Rocky Mountain Repertory, Venice Little Theatre); Life Could Be A Dream (Majestic Theatre, Texas Family Musicals); and the holiday sequel to this show: Winter Wonderettes (Delaware Theatre Company, Laguna Playhouse, Water Tower Theatre, Great Plains Theatre Festival, El Portal Theatre). He has directed for the Delaware Theatre Co., Laguna Playhouse, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Milwaukee Rep, Madison Rep, Florida Studio, Oregon Cabaret, Skylight Opera, and numerous stages in-between. Visit www.rogerbean.com or www.steelespring.com for more about Bean and his other musicals.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from The Allyn Foundation; the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; The Pauls 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 begins its 35th season in 2008-09 as one of the largest non-profit theatres 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, classic plays and intelligent dramas.

In its 35-year history, the organization has mounted over 160 productions, including over 33 world premieres, and garnered 140 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 27 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 The Lietenant of Inishmore and Northlight Theatre, visit www.northlight.org.