Theatre News Wire

Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announced the first show of Northlight Theatre's 2010-2011 season, Snapshots, a new show described by the authors as a "musical scrapbook," that includes some of the best-loved music and lyrics by the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working. Snapshots, with book by David Stern, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, direction by Ken Sawyer, musical staging by Karl Christian, and musical supervision and arrangements by Steve Orich, will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, September 16 - October 23, 2011.

Snapshots will open the 2010-2011 season. The remainder of the season will be announced soon.

Blending together some of the best-loved music with some of the genuinely wonderful lesser known gems of renowned Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, this touching romantic comedy exposes a marriage at a crossroads. Newly adapted, this musical reveals the humorous twists and unexpected turns of a middle-aged couple's reminiscence of how love brought them together and why life pushed them apart. Mr. Schwartz has rewritten many of the lyrics to even the most familiar songs, to stay true to 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.

"Stephen Schwartz is one of the greats of American Musical Theatre. Bringing Snapshots, which includes some of his favorite compositions, to Northlight is an honor and a truly special treat for our audiences. What a tremendous way to kick off our season!," says Artistic Director BJ Jones. "Snapshots is the next step in Northlight's ongoing dedication to new work and long-standing commitment to new musicals, including the world premieres of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, A Marvelous Party, Studs Terkel's The Good War, and most recently, Daddy Long Legs."

Relevant Theatricals and Cardboard Belt Productions have been developing this project for the past several years and most recently worked on the musical with David Stern, Stephen Schwartz and the creative team in preparation for its Chicago premiere.

"Relevant Theatricals and our partner Cardboard Belt Productions have been working with Stephen for some time now on this new musical. His work is unparalleled and, Snapshots, in particular, is a beautiful piece of musical theatre that features many of his best-loved songs. I couldn't be more thrilled about Northlight wanting to bring Snapshots to Chicago audiences," says Relevant producer Gigi Pritzker.