Northwestern Theatre in July and August

EVANSTON, Ill. --- SummerStage 2013, the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University’s line-up of summer entertainment, includes stage productions for children and grown-ups as well as film screenings that celebrate Elvis Presley.

Events include July 1 and Aug. 6 National Theatre Live broadcasts of Academy Award-nominated director Stephen Daldry’s play “The Audience” starring Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II; an Imagine U Family Series production of Susan Zeder’s “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” running from July 12 to 28; and Once Upon a Wildcat, a new Imagine U storytelling program for the entire family, that launches July 16 and July 20 with storyteller and folk singer Rives Collins reading “Stories from the Swamp.”

Broadway’s “All Shook Up,” a musical inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley and directed by Jeff Award-nominated Matt Raftery, runs from July 19 to Aug. 4. In addition, TIC is offering a Mini Elvis Presley film festival, featuring the screenings of “Viva Las Vegas” on July 23 and “King Creole” on July 30.

For more SummerStage 2013 information, visit www.tic.northwestern.edu/summerstage.

SummerStage 2013 season subscribers can choose from two different types of series: the Summer Series for $24 to $81 or the Family Series for $12 to $45. Both series represent a 10 percent savings off single ticket prices. Subscriptions received before May 28 will receive priority seating over single ticket buyers. Subscriptions, single tickets and discounted tickets for groups of eight or more are on sale now and can be purchased through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or www.tic.northwestern.edu/summerstage.

CONSTRUCTION ALERT 

A three-year construction project underway on the southeast end of the Northwestern University campus has closed Arts Circle Drive to traffic. Free parking for evening and weekend events remains available, but the project impacts handicapped parking and patrons requiring special access to Evanston campus theaters, as the parking structure is not accessible to patrons unable to climb stairs. For the most current information on the construction project and drop-off locations for patrons requiring special access to our theaters, visit www.tic.northwestern.edu/construction.

JULY AND AUGUST SUMMERSTAGE 2013 EVENTS

The following SummerStage 2013 season events will be held in venues on the University’s Evanston campus, including the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive; Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive; or the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive, as noted.

• National Theatre Live broadcast of “The Audience,” 7 p.m. Monday, July 1, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. Helen Mirren reprises her Academy Award-winning role as Queen Elizabeth II in the highly anticipated West End production of “The Audience,” broadcast live from London’s Gielgud Theatre. For 60 years, Elizabeth II has met her prime ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace. Both parties have an unspoken agreement never to repeat what is said. “The Audience” breaks this contract of silence and imagines a series of pivotal meetings between the Downing Street incumbents and their queen. Written by Peter Morgan (“The Queen”), “The Audience” is directed by Academy Award-nominated director Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot, “The Hours”). National Theatre Live (NT-Live) is sponsored by Aviva and supported with public funding by Arts Council England. TIC’s NT Live broadcasts are sponsored by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University. Single tickets are $10 to $20. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

• Imagine U Family Series presents “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” written by Suzan Zeder, directed by Betsy Quinn, July 12 through July 28, at the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater. Set deep within the mysterious Tombigbee Swamp, “Wiley and The Hairy Man” centers around a young fatherless boy, his conjure-woman Mother, his faithful Hound Dog and the Hairy Man who haunts his days and dreams. In an exciting duel of wits, Wiley learns to rely on his own resources and conquers two villains: the Hairy Man and his own fear. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Single tickets are $5 to $10. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

• Imagine U Family Series presents Once Upon a Wildcat: “Stories from the Swamp,”

7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, and 4 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater. Audiences who are eager to help Wiley fend off the Hairy Man in the wilds of the Tombigbee swamp will enjoy stories told by Northwestern University faculty member Rives Collins. Featuring scary and funny stories and folk songs, the event with Collins will ignite the imaginations of audience members of all ages. The production is appropriate for children age 5 and up, and for the young at heart of all ages. General admission is $5, free to Family Series subscribers with advance reservations.

• “All Shook Up,” inspired by and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley, with book by Joe DiPietro, stage direction by Matt Raftery and music direction by Ryan T. Nelson, July 19 through Aug 4, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. No tight pants, no kissing and no loud music: those are the rules in one small Midwestern 1950s town. But when a rebellious, hip-swiveling musician rides into town, the ache of budding love is set into motion, bringing to life a broken-down jukebox and the residents’ dreams of bigger things. Inspired by Elvis Presley’s music and the mistaken identities of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” “All Shook Up” is one of Broadway’s newest jukebox musicals. It keeps audiences tapping their feet and shaking their heads at how outrageous folks can be when chasing love. Single tickets are $5 to $30. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

• Mini Elvis Presley Film Festival screening, “Viva Las Vegas,” (George Sidney, 1964, United States, video, color, 85 minutes) 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. Regarded by fans and critics as one of Presley’s best films, “Viva Las Vegas” presents the rivalry of Lucky Jackson and Elmo Mancini in their race to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix and the affections of swimming pool manager Rusty Martin. This one-night-only film screening stars Elvis Presley and Northwestern alumna Ann-Margret. The film does not have an MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) rating. General admission: $5 to $10. Discounts available for groups of eight or more.

• Mini Elvis Presley Film Festival screening, “King Creole,” (Michael Curtiz, 1958, United States, video, black and white, 116 minutes) 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. After flunking out of school for the second time, Danny Fisher takes a busboy job in the King Creole nightclub where a crime boss convinces him to sing. This one-night-only film screening stars Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones and Walter Matthau. The film has a PG MPAA rating. General admission: $5 to $10. Discounts available for groups of eight or more.

For more information, visit www.tic.northwestern.edu/summerstage.