Northlight Theatre returns to Evanston- “Home Sweet Home”.

Fifty years ago, Northlight Theatre was born in a northern suburb called Evanston. Founded in 1974 with its first season on the stage 1975-19766, Northlight has become a leader in the “Greater Chicago Theater Scene”, with over 200 plus productions ( of which 45 were World Premieres) and they have garnered over 200 Jeff Award nominations and 37 awards. I know that from my experiences, I never miss one of their productions. Today, their dream became reality as the ribbon was cut for the opening of their new home located in Evanston at 1012 West Church Street.

I arrived a little early and was lucky to have a guided tour with the public relations and marketing folk. The lobby is huge with a bar ( or course, there is a bar) and lots of seating. There are a few steps up to the theater and an elevator as well, and the theater is beautiful as well as very comfortable. The legroom is better than most and the seats quite comfortable. The seats are designed so that the person sitting in front of you will NOT block your view of the stage and the action on it. This will delight Jane as she always gets the six-footer in front of her.

There is a second floor with a rehearsal room that could also serve as a multifunctional space for readings, lectures, discussions, and even parties. This is also where additional bathrooms are available. I spent some time with Lisa Wolf, from rival radio station 560, checking out the building and talking with B.J. Jones, prior to the actual speeches and thank you messages to all those who made this amazing building possible.

We then went out onto the sidewalk to watch B.J. cut the blue ribbon and make it official- Northlight Theatre is home!

The first production in this magnificent venue will be “The Front Page” adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. This production will be directed by Jones, and feature Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane. This show will open on September 9th and run through October 18th.

For more information and to purchase your opportunity to see this ( and all that will follow), visit www.northlighttheatre.org.