Blog

from Lynn Baber, Artistic Administrator

OK, it’s ridiculous (in a really good way) around here.

The extension week of THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES is going ridiculously well.  The cast was on WGN last week, so the remaining tickets are being sold very quickly.  (There’s still time! You have 7 more chances to see it!)   We had a student matinee yesterday to a full and incredibly responsive house of young people  - theatre classes from Loyola Academy and Libertyville High School, and ALL of the students from Springman Middle School.   This production has been a big hit with our audience and we are a little sad to see it close.

Yesterday we also had our first rehearsal of the ridiculously funny and touching SOUVENIR.   The two actors came to the first reading having already done fabulous character work on their own.   You know you’re on the right track when the people in the room (like me, BJ and the interns) are gasping with laughter at the first read-through.

BJ Jones and Randy Myler, director and co-creator of Low Down Dirty Blues

Before that, BJ and I just got back from a ridiculously fun and exciting trip to New York.  We flew in to see the first draft of LOW DOWN DIRTY BLUES in rehearsal and a concert performance.  Northlight favorite, Mississippi Charles Bevel, predictably brings down the house with a kind of blues singing that comes straight out of his soul.  The other musicians, all hotshots, were equally compelling and talented.  This show is going to blow the roof off.  (Other highlights of the trip included shopping for purses on Canal Street and finding the best gelato in New York.)

And the production of THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS that BJ directed at Cherry Lane Theatre in New York, starring Judith Ivey, is just as wonderful as it was when we produced it at Northlight.   Judy is ridiculously amazing in her spot-on portrayal of Chicago’s Ann Landers.  The reviews are fantastic, and we are so proud of BJ for having directed this off-Broadway hit.

Really, I could go on and on. But I have work to do.  There are understudies to cast, readings to produce, details to finalize, etc.  It’s just a ridiculously fabulous fall at Northlight.  You don’t want to miss a thing.  See you at the theatre - soon!

from BJ Jones

Larry Gelbart passed away on September 11, 2009.  He was a friend of mine and all here at Northlight, and was the author of the semi-autobiographical play Better Late, which he penned with the help of Craig Wright (and which went on to become the highest grossing play in Northlight’s history).

I’ve been thinking about Larry since he passed away.   I spoke with him last on the 4th of July weekend after reading in the NY Times of a famous actress who wanted someone to write a play for her.   She was notoriously outrageous and when I mentioned contacting her and writing a play for her, he said he would think about it.   “She’s quite a handful, you know, Beej.”   I said that I knew that, and told him handling handfuls was my specialty, and he laughed at that.

I asked him how he was and he said getting old was hard.   I thought there was something in the comment but I didn’t want to press further.   We chatted a bit, he inquired after my wife Candy and all here at Northlight.   We closed on a quip - he was the quickest witted man I know and even at 81, he always left you on a laugh.   I told him I missed him and he returned the compliment. READ MORE

After a frantic week of write-in nominations, we have our ballot for Best 1950s Song, Worst 1950s Song, Best Artist and Celebrity Crush (Male and Female). Check out the nominees below, then vote for your favorite. We’ll announce the winners on closing night of The Marvelous Wonderettes (Sunday, November 1, 2009)!

Based on your nominations, here are the finalists:

Best 1950s Song
A hard fought category, with more than 50 songs suggested!  (three of which also received votes for Worst Song - you just can’t please everyone!)

In the Still of the Night The Five Satins
Only You The Platters
Rock Around the Clock Bill Haley and the Comets
Unchained Melody Roy Hamilton (the Righteous Brothers version was not released until 1965, and does not qualify)

Worst 1950s Song
There were a few clear frontrunners in this category.

Doggie in the Window Patti Page
Sh-Boom The Chords (this song also received votes for Best Song)
Purple People Eater Sheb Wooley
Sea Cruise Frankie Ford

Favorite 1950s Artist
This category had a definite leader, though we won’t tell you who it was - you’ll have to vote!

Chuck Berry
Bobby Darin
Doris Day
Buddy Holly
Elvis Presley

Celebrity Crush - Male

Sam Cooke
Troy Donahue
Ricky Nelson
Elvis Presley
Johnny Ray

Celebrity Crush - Female

Sandra Dee
Annette Funicello
Rita Hayworth
Marilyn Monroe

Vote for your favorites now - only two weeks left!

A show like The Marvelous Wonderettes makes us all feel a bit nostalgic for days gone by.   So we’ve been discussing our 1950s favorites (and our not-so-favorites) around the office.   Here’s what’s “topping the charts” so far, from our unofficial staff poll and The Wonderettes themselves:

Favorite  Song
Northlight: “Mack the Knife,” “In the Still of the Night,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Walk the Line”
Cindy Lou: “Dream Lover”
Missy: “Teacher’s Pet”
Suzy: “Stupid Cupid”
Betty Jean: “Lollipop”  (only because I get to make the “pop” noise)

Favorite Musical Artist
Northlight: Buddy Holly, Sam Cooke, The McGuire Sisters
Cindy Lou: Elvis Presley
Missy: Perry Como
Suzy: Bill Haley and His Comets
Betty Jean: Rosemary Clooney

Celebrity Crush
Northlight: Marlon Brando, Audrey Hepburn, Bettie Page, Frank Sinatra
Cindy Lou: James Dean
Missy: Jimmy Stewart
Suzy: Gene Kelly or Tony Curtis
Betty Jean: Humphrey Bogart

Worst Song
Northlight: “Teen Angel” (I’ll never kiss your lips again/They buried you today.), “Lollipop,” “That Doggie in the Window,” “Flying Purple People Eater,” “Love Potion #9″
Missy: My mother always said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”  On behalf of the group, I respectfully decline to answer this question.

We want to hear YOUR favorites. If you haven’t already, share them with us here.  Then check back in the coming weeks and we’ll be sure to post the results!