Northwestern Announces Summer Music Theatre Programs

This summer, Northwestern University's American Music Theatre Project (AMTP) and the Theatre and Interpretation Center will present the Summer 2008 musical theatre programs on the Evanston campus.

The productions will be performed at various Evanston campus venues, including the Josephine Louis Theatre, 20 Arts Circle Drive; the Hal and Martha Hyer-Wallis Theatre, Theatre and Interpretation Center, 1949 Campus Drive; the Ethel M. Barber Theatre, 30 Arts Circle Drive; and Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive, as noted below.

The three music theatre events will include the world premiere of the American Music Theatre Project's "Dangerous Beauty" (July 25 to Aug. 17), a musical romance set in Renaissance Venice and starring Jenny Powers and Hollis Resnik; the world premiere of "Tonight at Eight: Saluting Sheldon Harnick" (June 25 to 29), a musical revue hailing Northwestern alumnus, lyricist and composer Sheldon Harnick; and a workshop production of a world premiere musical, "The Bowery Boys" (July 9 to 27), based on the works of author Horatio Alger Jr.

In addition, Northwestern will host the third annual Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project (Aug. 9 to 16) of workshops, lecture demonstrations and a closing concert featuring guest artist Heather Headley.

Subscription prices for the first three shows are $72 for the general public; $67 for seniors 65 and older and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $25 for students. Single tickets for all productions will go on sale June 13, and prices are listed below. For more information, or to order single or group tickets for upcoming productions by phone, call the Theatre and Interpretation Center Box Office at (847) 491-7282. Online ticket sales will be available at http://www.tic.northwestern.edu/tickets.php.

World Premiere, "Tonight at Eight: Saluting Sheldon Harnick," 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 25; 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26; 8 p.m. Friday, June 27; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, June 28; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 29, Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive. A world premiere musical revue, "Tonight at Eight: Saluting Sheldon Harnick" is an entertaining homage to one of Northwestern's most illustrious alumni. Harnick has provided lyrics to some of Broadway's most memorable musicals, including "Fiddler on the Roof," "Fiorello" and "The Rothschilds." "Tonight at Eight" will feature two previously unreleased songs written by Harnick for "Fiddler on the Roof" -- "Dear Sweet Sewing Machine" and "Any Day Now." Intended respectively for the stage and film versions of the production, both were omitted from the production score and will be heard for the first time at the Louis Theater. Single tickets are $25 for the general public; $23 for seniors 65 and older and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for students.

World Premiere Workshop Production, "The Bowery Boys," 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9; 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10; 8 p.m. Friday, July 11; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 12; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 13; 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 16; 8 p.m. Thursday, July 17; 8 p.m. Friday, July 18; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20; 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 23; 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24; 8 p.m. Friday, July 25; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26; and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 27, Hal and Martha Hyer-Wallis Theater, Theatre and Interpretation Center, 1949 Campus Drive. Produced in association with The Marriott Theatre and inspired by the "rags-to-riches" stories of 19th century author Horatio Alger Jr. and the songs of George M. Cohan, "The Bowery Boys" follows the journey of Dick Hunter, a streetwise kid, and Mary, a young immigrant, through the streets of 1880s New York. Faced with many adventures, they never lose hope of realizing the American Dream. Director David H. Bell wrote the book and adapted the lyrics for this musical. Jeremy Cohen adapted the music for the production. "The Bowery Boys" will officially debut at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire in December 2008. Single tickets are $25 for the general public; $23 for seniors 65 and older and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for students.

World Premiere, "Dangerous Beauty," 8 p.m. Friday July 25; 8 p.m. Saturday, July 26;
2 p.m. Sunday, July 27; 8 p.m. Thursday, July 31; 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1; 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3; 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7; 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8; 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10; 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14; 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15; 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive. A world premiere musical of passion, politics and poetry starring Jenny Powers and Hollis Resnik, the American Music Theatre Project's "Dangerous Beauty" tells the tumultuous tale of Veronica Franco, a notorious courtesan and poet of 16th century Venice. Through the loss of family fortune and her true love, Veronica recognizes that only as a courtesan will she retain access to an education and a place in the cultural and political life of her city. Featuring a score that combines the best of classical and pop musical styles, this story is based on Margaret Rosenthal's 1992 novel "The Honest Courtesan." Writer Jeannine Dominy created the screenplay of "Dangerous Beauty" and also wrote the book for the musical. In addition to Dominy, the production's creative team members include composer Michele Brourman, lyricist Amanda McBroom, choreographer Robert LaFosse and New York director Sheryl Kaller. Stuart Oken is the artistic director. The AMTP core funding sponsors are Barbara and Garry Marshall, John and Patricia Shields and William Donnell. The honorary producers are Christine Myers, Richard and Marian Bott, Barbara Whitman and David Carlyon; and Barbara Manocherian, Tara Smith, Susan Dietz and Paula Holt. Single tickets are $30 for the general public; $27 for seniors 65 and older and Northwestern faculty and staff; and $10 for students.

Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Aug. 9 to 16, Evanston campus. Presented as an exclusive add-on opportunity for festival subscribers, the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project returns to Northwestern for its third year. Featuring some of America's most prominent songwriters and singers working in the tradition of the legendary Johnny Mercer, this weeklong project will conclude with three special events that will first be made available only to festival subscribers:

• Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Lecture Demonstration, "The Legacy of Johnny Mercer," 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive. Festival subscribers are invited to join American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Music Theater Director Michael Kerker as he hosts a lecture demonstration on the life of one of America's major songwriters. The panel will include guest artist, composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa and Nashville recording artist Lari White. The event is free to the public, but reservations are recommended.

• Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, Songwriters Showcase, 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive. This annual celebration of the American song will feature lyricists and performers from across the country who will present an evening of original music. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for festival subscribers.

• Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, The Johnny Mercer Celebration Concert with guest artist Heather Headley, 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive. Guest artist Heather Headley ("Lion King," "Aida") will present a one-night-only performance of Broadway musical favorites. The evening also includes performances by composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa ("The Wild Party"), Nashville recording artist Lari White, Chicago's premiere cabaret act of Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, as well as students of the Northwestern Music Theatre Program. Tickets are $30.

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