Northlight Theatre presents Eclipsed by Danai Gurira

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Eclipsed by Danai Gurira, directed by Hallie Gordon. The production runs January 13-February 20, 2011, at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.
Amid the chaos of the Liberian Civil War, the captive wives of a rebel officer band together to form a fragile community-until the balance of their lives is upset by the arrival of a new girl who can read and the return of a former captive turned rebel soldier. Drawing on reserves of wit and compassion, each woman must discover her own means of survival in this deeply felt portrait of women finding and testing their own strength.
"The remarkable thing about Eclipsed, is that, despite the bleakness of the world of Danai Gurira's play, the central characters-five extraordinary women-display such resilience and self-reliance, that their capability to form a family in the face of such adversity is both uplifting and spiritually nourishing," says Artistic Director BJ Jones. "These unique women not only survived, but adapted to, the horrifying truth of their lives. Chicago is a world away from the African Diaspora. We are very proud to present Danai's work to Chicago, the spirit of which should provide reflection and inspiration for all of us who are fortunate enough to live a life of privilege and relative political stability."
The cast includes Alana Arenas (The Bluest Eye at Steppenwolf and Black Diamond at Lookingglass), Paige Collins (The Twins Would Like to Say at Dog + Pony Theatre), Tamberla Perry (The Brother/Sister Plays at Steppenwolf and Fedra at Lookingglass), Leslie Ann Sheppard (Harriet Jacobs at Steppenwolf, The Hundred Dresses with Chicago Children's Theatre) and Penelope Walker (Gee's Bend at Northlight).
The designers are Jack Magaw (set), Myron Elliott, Jr. (costumes), Charles Cooper (lights), and Christopher Kriz (sound). Rose Marie Packer is the stage manager.
Tickets for Eclipsed, $30-50, are available by phone, 847.673.6300, or online at northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).
The Box Office is located at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie. Box Office hours are Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, and Saturdays 12:00pm-5:00pm. On performance days, the box office hours are extended through showtime. The Box Office is closed on Sundays, except on performance days when it is open two hours prior to showtime.