PREPARE TO BE INTENSELY ENTERTAINED
Upcoming Shows & Events
The First Lady of Television
BY James Sherman
September 4 – October 5, 2025
Gaslight
By Steven Dietz
Based on the original play by Patrick Hamilton
November 28 – December 28
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FUTURE HOME IN EVANSTON
Northlight’s bold vision is to build a world-class theatre in Evanston, the vibrant community where Northlight began in 1974. With a new theatre in downtown Evanston, we will entertain and inspire audiences with compelling new and existing work. We’ll nurture and grow the next generation of theatregoers, expand our civic impact, spark economic development, and serve as a cultural hub for the entire community.
NORTHLIGHT NEWS
As we gear up for Twisted Melodies, it’s important to us that we’re providing our audiences with the right tools to navigate their own mental...
LISTENING BETWEEN THE LINES Donny Hathaway was a musician of staggering emotional depth, a composer whose songs held both the ache and beauty of being...
The Tony Awards are just around the corner, and in preparation for theatre’s biggest night, Northlight Artistic Director BJ Jones sat down with friend and...
My friend, George Wendt, was as kind and thoughtful a human being as walked on this planet. He was a true man of the Theatre,...
I first met Russell Vandenbroucke in the summer of 1987 when he had just started as Northlight’s 5th Artistic Director. I was remounting Michael Maggio’s...
A Deeper Look at Prayer for the French Republic. Below, we’ve collected a list of events that occurred either in 1940s France or in modern-day...
Connect With Us
Want to learn more about the mother of the sitcom, Gertrude Berg, before you see her story on stage in THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION? Check out this article from The New Yorker to learn about her life and legacy, and be sure to grab your tickets so you can see it in action! Read the full article via the link in our bio.
Yesterday, we kicked off rehearsals for the first show of our 50th Anniversary Season, THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION! Director BJ Jones has brought together an all-star team to share the story of Gertrude Berg, a pioneer businesswoman, actress, and writer who took the world of television by storm in the 1950s. Our cast’s first read-through was studded with laughter as they brought James Sherman’s words to life. Grab your tickets today to see them live starting September 4!
Northlight is overjoyed to be nominated for eight Jeff Awards this year! We had a season full of standout performances, epic stories, and stellar collaborations: including PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, our co-production with Theater Wit! Thank you for celebrating these amazing productions with us, and congratulations to all of this year`s deserving nominees!
We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary season with a star-studded cast performing in the world premier of THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION by James Sherman! This brand new show follows the 50’s television titan Gertrude Berg as she makes an important decision that will shape the face of her series, The Goldbergs, forever. See the cast in action next month!
Directed by BJ Jones
Cindy Gold as GERTRUDE BERG/MOLLY
Mark David Kaplan as ELI MINTZ
Sarah Coakley Price as ARLENE McQUADE
TY Fanning as LARRY ROBINSON
William Dick as PHILLIP LOEB
Joe Dempsey as WALTER HART/THE DIRECTOR
Happy closing to the cast and crew of TWISTED MELODIES! Kelvin Roston Jr’s masterpiece touched so many hearts over its run. Thank you to everyone who made a trip out to the theatre, enjoyed Donny Hathaway’s songs, and learned a little bit more about the man behind the music. We can’t wait to see you next season, as we kick off our 50th anniversary with the world premiere of THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION!
Yoo-Hoo! Get ready to dive into the cut-throat world of 1950s television with Gertrude Berg as she battles disgruntled sponsors, desperate actors, and rising McCarthyism in the world premiere of THE FIRST LADY OF TELEVISION! We kicked off our 50th anniversary season with a photoshoot featuring the first lady herself, performed by the talented Cindy Gold. We’ll be dropping the photos soon, so keep your eyes peeled and get excited for a brand-new, intensely entertaining story!
This weekend is your last chance to see TWISTED MELODIES, Kelvin Roston Jr’s one-man show that dives into the psyche of musical master Donny Hathaway. Grab your seat and sway to Hathaway’s greatest hits, and get to know the man behind the music! Don’t miss out - grab your tickets to what critics and audiences alike have called a “must-see!”
This weekend is your last chance to see TWISTED MELODIES, Kelvin Roston Jr’s powerful one-man show that delves deep into the musical genius, Donny Hathaway. Hear him sing some of his greatest hits, and explore the man behind the music. MUST CLOSE this Sunday, August 10. We can’t wait to see you at the theatre!
Last weekend, Northlight staff member Dinah Berkeley and Advisory Council member Cliff Saper represented Northlight at the Evanston Farmers Market. We’re thrilled to connect with our community in Evanston, and we’ve felt incredibly welcomed by everyone so far. Keep an eye out for Northlight at future events in Evanston as we gear up for our move next fall!
Next up at Northlight: We’re kicking off our 50th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of The First Lady of Television by James Sherman, starting September 4!
In 1950, Gertrude Berg was the popular creator and star of America’s first family sitcom, The Goldbergs. When co-star Philip Loeb is accused of communism, Gertrude must make an enormous decision: fire him to keep the sponsors at bay or defend him and risk the show being canceled. In this new play based on the true story of a pioneering American entertainer, onstage comedy balances with the offstage intersection of art, religion, and politics that is shockingly relevant for today.
Tickets on sale now!
Northlight was pleased to celebrate the achievements of the League of Chicago Theatres at their annual gala yesterday evening! As part of the festivities at Teatro Zinzanni, Northlight’s General Manager Victoria Martini-Rosowicz accepted the Tribute Award for the Chicago Green Theatre Alliance, along with the rest of the CGTA leadership team. Congrats to all of the evening’s award winners, and we look forward to continued camaraderie with all 214 theatres that make up the League!
