Northlight Theatre Presents THE OUTGOING TIDE, Opens 5/21

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces the World Premiere of The Outgoing Tide, by Bruce Graham, directed by BJ Jones. The cast features John Mahoney, Rondi Reed and Thomas J. Cox. The Outgoing Tide runs May 12-June 19, 2011 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie. The press opening is Saturday May 21, 2011.

In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family's future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding-before the tide goes out. This new drama, featuring Northlight favorite John Mahoney, hums with dark humor and powerful emotion.

Tony Award winner John Mahoney returns to Northlight after appearing in A Life and Better Late. Rondi Reed makes first Chicago appearance since her Tony Award-winning turn in August: Osage County and her acclaimed role in CBS's Mike and Molly. Thomas J. Cox, a founding member of Lookingglass, has previously appeared at Northlight in Pride & Prejudice and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

The Outgoing Tide is the recipient of a 2010 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award. The production is supported in part by The Lehman Family American Experience Series and Nuveen Investments. This play was the recipient of the Selma Melvoin Playwriting Award, given by Northlight Theatre.

Tickets for The Outgoing Tide, $30-50, are now on sale by phone, 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).

"Thom Cox, Rondi Reed and John Mahoney bring their formidable talents to Northlight in this moving ensemble piece, says Artistic Director BJ Jones. I'm so delighted to be working with old friends on a delicate and actor-based piece that their gifts are made for."

The designers are Brian Sidney Bembridge (set), Rachel Laritz (costumes), JR Lederle (lighting) and Andrew Hansen (sound). Rita Vreeland is the production stage manager.

Bruce Graham (Playwright) has written Burkie, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over the Brewery, Belmont Avenue Social Club, Desperate Affection, Coyote on a Fence (Winner of The Rosenthal Prize, Two Drama Desk Nominations - the West End production starred Ben Cross), According to Goldman, The Philly Fan. He has won consecutive Barrymore Awards for Best New Play for Something Intangible and Any Given Monday. Mister Hart and Mister Brown opens at People's Light and Theatre in 2012. Film: Dunston Checks In, Anastasia, Steal This Movie. TV: Roseanne, Ring of Endless Light (Humanitas Award Winner - Best Children's Screenplay), The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Trading Christmas will play on the Hallmark Channel during the upcoming holiday season. Graham is a past winner of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette. Along with Michele Volansky, he is the author of the book The Collaborative Playwright. Graham teaches film and theatre courses at Drexel University. He lives in South Philly with Stephanie, Kendall and Truman.

BJ Jones is in his 12th year as Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre, where he has piloted the world premieres of Craig Wright's Lady, Better Late (by Larry Gelbart & Craig Wright), Rounding Third, Sky Girls and Cat Feet. As a producer he guided the world premieres of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, The Gamester, and Studs Terkel's 'The Good War.' He has directed at Steppenwolf, Intiman Theatre in Seattle, Atlanta's ALLIANCE THEATRE, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, and Next Theatre in Evanston. Directorial work includes Northlight's The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Grey Gardens, The Lady with All the Answers, The Retreat From Moscow, A Skull in Connemara, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and An Experiment With an Airpump, as well as productions of A Number, Twelfth Night, Glengarry Glen Ross (Suzie Bass Nominee - Best Director), Pygmalion, The Price (Jeff Nomination - Best Director,) and 100 Saints You Should Know. A two-time Joseph Jefferson Award winner, he has appeared at Northlight in dozens of productions and has performed at virtually every major theatre in Chicago.

Thomas J. Cox (Jack) is thrilled to return to Northlight, where he has appeared in Pride & Prejudice, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and three Interplay Series readings: Intelligence-Slave, Emma and The Outgoing Tide. He is a founding ensemble member of Lookingglass, where he has appeared in over thirty productions, most recently as Hook in Peter Pan (a play). Thom has been nominated twice for Joseph Jefferson Awards (Best Supporting Actor and Best Solo Performance). Other credits: Rock ‘n' Roll (Goodman); Elephant Man (Steppenwolf for Young Audiences); Fraulein Else, Raisin, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and, most recently, Orlando (Court); as well as productions at Victory Gardens, Madison Rep, Weston Playhouse, ITC, and a film for House Theatre. Directing credits: Lookingglass, Eclipse, Piven, Weston Playhouse. Film/TV: Since You've Been Gone (Miramax); Chi-Girl (Van Lier Productions); Brotherhood (Showtime). Love to Chris and Joanie.

John Mahoney (Gunner) previously appeared at Northlight in A Life and Better Late. He starred in the Broadway revival of Prelude to a Kiss, Romance at The Almeida Theatre in London and I Never Sang for My Father at Steppenwolf. He has appeared in over 30 Steppenwolf productions where he is a member of the ensemble. He received a Tony Award for his performance in The House of Blue Leaves. Films include She's the One, Moonstruck, Tin Men, Primal Fear, Say Anything, Barton Fink and Flipped. On TV, John Starred in Dinner at Eight, The Water Engine, and the 5-time Emmy Award-winning series Frasier, for which he received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for his portrayal of patriarch Martin Crane. John is a recipient of the prestigious Sarah Siddons Award, only the second male (after Brian Dennehy) to be so honored.

Rondi Reed returns to Northlight where she previously appeared in The Retreat From Moscow. A Steppenwolf ensemble member since 1979, she won a Tony Award in 2008 for August: Osage County, in which she appeared in Chicago, on Broadway, at The National Theatre, London and at Sydney Theatre Company. She played Madame Morrible in Wicked in Chicago and on Broadway. She can currently be seen on CBS's hit show Mike & Molly. She received Joseph Jefferson Awards for Steppenwolf's The Fall to Earth and Waiting for the Parade. Among her 60-plus productions at Steppenwolf include the Pulitzer-nominated Man from Nebraska by Tracy Letts, Sideman (also in Australia and Ireland); Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Off-Broadway, LA and San Francisco); The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Broadway), The Grapes of Wrath (at The National Theatre, London and on Broadway); and Another Time (with Albert Finney). Other Chicago appearances include Romeo and Juliet for Chicago Shakespeare; The Sandbox at the Goodman; Cabaret at the Marriott; and The Vagina Monologues at the Apollo.

Tickets for The Outgoing Tide, $30-50, are available by phone at 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 May 17, May 24, June 7); Wednesdays at 1:00pm and 7:30pm (except no 7:30pm on May 25); Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays at 8:00pm; Saturdays at 2:30pm (except May 14) and 8:00pm; Sundays at 2:30pm and 7:00pm (except no 7:00pm on June 5 and 19; 6pm only on May 22).

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 The Outgoing Tide will be held May 20 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 prior to select Sunday matinee performances. The Salon for The Outgoing Tide will be held at 1:00 pm on June 5 with the topic: "Aging in America." 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 The Outgoing Tide will be held on May 6 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.

Title:
The Outgoing Tide
By: Bruce Graham
Directed by: BJ Jones

Dates:
Previews: May 12-May 20
Press opening: May 21, 2011
Regular run: May 22-June 19, 2011

Schedule:
Tuesdays: 7:30pm (except May 17, May 24 and June 7)
Wednesdays: 1:00pm & 7:30pm (except no 7:30pm May 25)
Thursdays: 7:30pm
Fridays: 8:00pm
Saturdays: 2:30pm and 8:00pm (except no 2:30pm May 14)
Sundays: 2:30pm and 7:00pm (except no 7:30pm on June 5 and 19; 6pm only on May 22)

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

Tickets:
Previews: $30-$40
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

Notes of Interest:
This is one of three world premieres at Northlight this season, including Daddy Long Legs and Sense & Sensibility. Northlight is further committed to the development of new plays through its Interplay series.

Rondi Reed returns to Northlight where she previously appeared in The Retreat From Moscow. This is Rondi's first stage appearance since appearing in August: Osage County and Broadway's Wicked. A Steppenwolf ensemble member since 1979, she won a Tony Award in 2008 for August: Osage County, in which she appeared in Chicago, on Broadway, at The National Theatre, London, and at Sydney Theatre Company.

Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee John Mahoney, perhaps best known for his role on Frasier, has previously appeared at Northlight in A Life and Better Late.
Thomas J. Cox (Jack) a founding ensemble member of Lookingglass, returns to Northlight, where he has appeared in Pride & Prejudice, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and three Interplay Series readings.

Bruce Graham has won consecutive Barrymore Awards for Best New Play for Something Intangible and Any Given Monday. His work, Belmont Avenue Social Club, was previously seen at Northlight.

With The Outgoing Tide, Artistic Director BJ Jones directs his sixth world premiere at Northlight. He has directed the world premieres of Lady, Better Late, Rounding Third, Sky Girls and Cat Feet.

Need more Chicago Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...