Pittsburgh Public Theater

Northlight Theatre announces casting for Snapshots and Season's Greetings

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the Chicago premiere of Snapshots, by Stephen Schwartz and David Stern, and Alan Ayckbourn’s Season’s Greetings. The Snapshots cast includes Gene Weygandt in his third production with Stephen Schwartz, following Wicked and Working; and Susie McMonagle, direct from the Billy Elliott National Tour. Snapshots also features Tony Clarno, Nick Cosgrove, Jess Godwin and Megan Long. The irreverent holiday comedy Season’s Greetings includes John Byrnes, Amy Carle, Francis Guinan, John Hoogenakker, Heidi Kettenring, Maggie Kettering, Ginger Lee McDermott, Rob Riley and Matt Schwader.

“The thrill of having Stephen Schwartz here at Northlight working on a new piece reinforces our commitment to new musicals. What a great opportunity for local artists to work with this legendary composer, and for our audience to glimpse his favorite musical pieces in a new context,” comments Artistic Director BJ Jones. “One of the joys of working on Alan Ayckbourn’s plays is that they are opportunities to assemble killer casts, and in Chicago, we are rich with actors who can breathe life into Ayckbourn’s wildly funny style. Both casts are a ‘who’s who’ of Chicago talent, and we are all excited to have them here at Northlight.”

Subscriptions are currently on sale. Tickets to Snapshots and Season’s Greetings will be on sale August 5, 2011. Tickets are available through the box office, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, by phone at 847.673.6300 or online at northlight.org

About Snapshots

Snapshots with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by David Stern, is directed by Ken Sawyer and runs September 16 – October 23, 2011. The press opening is Friday, September 23, 2011.

Snapshots, described by the creators as a “musical scrapbook,” blends together some of the best-loved music with some of the genuinely wonderful lesser known gems of renowned Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working.

This touching romantic comedy exposes a marriage at a crossroads, as a middle-aged couple reminisces how love brought them together and why life pushed them apart. Mr. Schwartz has rewritten many of the lyrics to even his most familiar songs to reflect the fascinating story and characters of this new work. Funny and bittersweet, Snapshots brings into focus all the wonders and frustrations of trusting your heart and believing your memories.

Performers for RED- Pittsburgh Public Theater - The Producer's ...

By John Logan

Mark Rothko: Ideally in his 50s, but could be a little younger or older. Charismatic. A formidable intellect, a towering, self-absorbed ego, emotionally guarded yet deeply vulnerable, avoids intimacy with others, a dismissive cruelty at times, deeply protective of and in love with his paintings. Not a practicing Jew, but his religious background defines him both personally and culturally.

Ken: In his 20s. An aspiring painter. Very bright with alot still to learn. A watcher and listener, he quietly absorbs everything from his mentor/teacher until one day he finally releases his pent-up observations and resentments toward Rothko. An orphan since the age of seven, when he discovered the bodies of his murdered parents, he is very private but not at all self-pitying.He finds an uneasy surrogate father in Rothko. A wry sense of humor. He is capable of giving as good as he gets and is not afraid of challenging Rothko. He has a strong bullshit detector.

Joe Turner's come and gone, by August Wilson

Theatre Profiles 12, The Illustrated Guide to America's Nonprofit Professional Theatres

The Back Stage guide to working in regional theater, jobs for actors and other theater professionals

Pittsburgh in stages, two hundred years of theater

Twentieth-century Pittsburgh: The post-steel era