Northwestern Theatre and Dance in November

EVANSTON, Ill. --- A comical Tony Award-winning musical about an angst-filled spelling championship, and performances of a Jane Austen classic are among the November productions at the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University. For young audiences, TIC is staging a family musical based on a Newberry Honor Book with an anti-bullying message.  

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” Oct. 25 to Nov. 10, ‘Pride and Prejudice,” Nov. 15 to 24, and TIC’s Imagine U musical adaptation of “The Hundred Dresses,” Nov. 1 to 10, are among the events that invite audiences to join a conversation with the art and artists during TIC’s 33rd season.

For the third year, TIC presents the National Theatre Live (NT Live) broadcast series offering audiences a chance to experience the best of British theatre. Broadcasts in November include “Othello,” Nov. 5, starring Adrian Lester and Rory Kinnear; a reprise of “Frankenstein,” Nov. 12 and 13, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of the creature on Nov. 12 and featuring Jonny Lee Miller as the creature on Nov. 13; and “Macbeth,” Nov. 19, starring Kenneth Branagh. Single tickets to all NT Live broadcasts are on sale now through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282.

Events will be held in venues on the University’s Evanston campus: the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive; Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive; Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.; or the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater, 1949 Campus Drive, as noted.

Single-ticket prices are listed below; single tickets for all seven mainstage productions and the Imagine U Family Series productions are on sale now. Where applicable, ticket discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

Subscribers to the 2013-14 season can again select from two different packages. The 7-Play Subscription for $28 to $148 represents a 20 percent savings off single-ticket prices. The 4-Play Snow Bird Subscription for $79 to $89 represents a 15 percent savings off single-ticket prices. Both the 7-Play and 4-Play subscription packages and tickets for groups of eight or more are now on sale. Except as otherwise noted, tickets and subscriptions can be purchased through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282. 

As a new benefit to families, TIC has added the Imagine U Family Pass, available for $30 and providing families with four tickets to use in any combination for all Imagine U Family Series programming.

Northwestern’s department of performance studies will present “Fiber of Time,” Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, which is free and open to the public.

Nov. 7 and 8, Jump Rhythm Jazz Project will present “JUMP INSIDE,” a preview of two premieres from the Chicago-based dance ensemble’s 25th anniversary season, including a work by artistic director Billy Siegenfeld.

Construction Alert: A three-year construction project under way on the southeast end of the Northwestern University Evanston campus has closed the Arts Circle Drive to traffic. Free parking for evening and weekend events remains available, but the project will impact handicapped parking and patrons requiring special access to Evanston campus theaters. Visit TIC for more information.

NOVEMBER 2013 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS

“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin, conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss, directed by Adam Goldstein, 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25; 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26; 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7; 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Josephine Louis Theater. Do you have what it takes to win … or, even tougher, to fit in? Directed by Northwestern University alumnus Adam Goldstein, this funny and touching Tony Award-winning musical takes audiences right into the pressure cooker of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Under the bright lights, six young overachievers must use their dictionary-thick knowledge of obscure words and the unexpected guidance of lovable ‘bee’ officials to learn that winning isn’t everything and that champions come in all shapes and sizes. In addition, there will be Northwestern community members as guest spellers invited to participate on the fun during the live performance. The roster of guest spellers includes: Oct. 26, Dan Linzer, Northwestern University Provost; Oct. 27, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky; Oct. 31, Tracey Gibson-Jackson, assistant director of student theatre organizations; Nov. 1, Emily Allard, Northwestern Wildcats softball player; and Nov. 9, Charles Kellom, director of multicultural student affairs. Post-show discussions moderated by Northwestern Ph.D. candidate Bethany Hughes will also take place at select performances. Discussion topics and guest participants include: Oct. 25, "How We Made This Show" with the cast and show director Adam Goldstein; Oct. 27, "Excellence & Pressure" with the cast and three-time National Spelling Bee contestant Alex Benjamin and Northwestern Wildcats softball player Emily Allard; and Oct. 31, "Expectations & Opportunities" with the cast and Devin Moss, director of Northwestern University's LGBT Resource Center, and Alison May, assistant director of Northwestern's Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. Tickets are $30 for the general public; $27 for seniors over 62 and Northwestern faculty and staff and educators; and $10 for full-time students (at the door) or $5 tickets exclusively for full-time Northwestern students on advance purchase. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more. 

“Pride and Prejudice,” adapted by Joseph Hanreddy and J.R. Sullivan, directed by Jessica Thebus, 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17; 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 21, 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22; 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. Lively Elizabeth Bennet encounters interfering parents, squabbling sisters, snobbish aristocrats and her own prejudices on her way to the alarming realization that she is in love with a man she professes to despise. Directed by Jeff-nominated Northwestern University faculty member Jessica Thebus and adapted by Joseph Hanreddy, former Milwaukee Repertory Theater artistic director and Chicago director J.R. Sullivan, Jane Austen’s classic novel sparkles with dancing, romance and wit. Post-show discussions will follow the Nov. 15 and Nov. 21 performances. On Nov. 21, in partnership with The League of Chicago Theater's popular “Theatre Thursday” series, a special one-of-a-kind theatre experience will immerse show patrons in 19th century England and the world of Jane Austen. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception in the lobby featuring an English tea menu and wine courtesy of City Winery. An in-depth post-show discussion with members of the cast and other creative team members will be moderated by Diane Capitani, director of the Writing Center and affiliate faculty in writing and theology at the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern and a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Pride and Prejudice” is sponsored by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University. Tickets are $25 for the general public; $22 for seniors over 62 and Northwestern faculty and staff and educators; and $10 for full-time students (at the door) or $5 tickets exclusively for full-time Northwestern students on advance purchase. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

NOVEMBER 2013 IMAGINE U NOVEMBER PRODUCTION

“The Hundred Dresses,” by Ralph Covert and G. Riley Mills, based on the book by Eleanor Estes, directed by Rives Collins, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1; 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 2; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3; 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8; 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9; and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater. Wanda Petronski claims to have 100 beautiful dresses at home – although she wears the same faded dress to school every day. Maddie Martin joins the rest of the kids at Franklin Elementary School, teasing Wanda for speaking strangely, having a funny last name and living in the wrong part of town. When the teasing gets out of hand, Maddie has a tough decision to make. Based on the Newbery Honor Book by Eleanor Estes and directed by acclaimed Northwestern faculty member Rives Collins (“The Secret Garden,” “How Can You Run With A Shell On Your Back?”), this musical adaptation asks: would you have the courage to stand up for someone, even if it means standing alone? Single tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for children under 18; and $5 exclusively for full-time Northwestern students on advance purchase or  $10 at the door. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

NOVEMBER 2013 NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE (NT LIVE)

“Othello,” by William Shakespeare, directed by Nicholas Hytner, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Josephine Louis Theater. The National Theatre presents a new production of Shakespeare’s celebrated play about the destructive power of jealousy. Olivier Award-winning actor Adrian Lester (“Henry V” at the National Theatre, BBC’s Hustle) takes the title role. Playing opposite him as the duplicitous Iago is fellow Olivier Award-winner Rory Kinnear (“The Last of the Haussmans,” “James Bond: Skyfall”). Single tickets are $20 for the general public; $16 for Northwestern faculty and staff (phone and in-person only) and $10 for full-time students with valid IDS at Will Call. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

“Frankenstein” (reprise), by Nick Dear, directed by Danny Boyle, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12 (SOLD OUT) and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, at the Josephine Louis Theater. National Theatre Live’s 2011 broadcast of Frankenstein returns to cinemas as part of the National Theatre's 50th anniversary celebration. Oscar-winner Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “Slumdog Millionaire”) directs a sensational production with Benedict Cumberbatch (“Star Trek: Into Darkness,” BBC’s “Sherlock”) and Jonny Lee Miller (“Trainspotting,” CBS’s “Elementary”) alternating roles as Victor Frankenstein and his creation. The Nov. 12 broadcast will feature Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of the Creature and Jonny Lee Miller in the role of Frankenstein. On Nov. 13, Miller is the Creature and Cumberbatch portrays Frankenstein. Single tickets are $20 for the general public; $16 for Northwestern faculty and staff (phone and in-person only) and $10 for full-time students with valid IDS at Will Call. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more. 

“Macbeth,” by William Shakespeare, directed by Rob Ashford, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Josephine Louis Theater. NT Live broadcasts Manchester International Festival’s electrifying production of “Macbeth,” with Kenneth Branagh (“My Week With Marilyn,” “Hamlet”) as Macbeth, and Alex Kingston (“Doctor Who,” “ER”) as Lady Macbeth. Directed by Laurence Olivier- and Tony award winner Rob Ashford (“Anna Christie” at the Donmar Warehouse, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” on Broadway) and British Academy of Film and Television (BAFTA) award winner Kenneth Branagh, the production of Shakespeare’s tragic tale unfolds within the walls of a deconsecrated Manchester church. Single tickets are $20 for the general public; $16 for Northwestern faculty and staff (phone and in-person only) and $10 for full-time students with valid IDS at Will Call. Discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMANCE STUDIES

“Fiber of Time,” 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, Alvina Krause Studio, 1920 Campus Drive, Northwestern University, Evanston campus. Using classical and contemporary theories of memory as inspiration, “Fiber of Time” enacts and critiques these theories while exploring the relationship between memory and fiber. Performers use expressive movement and text to investigate the intersections of personal memory, cultural memory and the human body. Directed by Jade C. Huell, it is presented by Northwestern’s department of performance studies. Admission is free and open to the public. 

DANCE

“JUMP INSIDE: A second preview of our 25th Anniversary Season,” 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, Ballroom Studio, Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center, 10 Arts Circle Drive, Northwestern University’s Evanston campus. This behind-the-scenes evening with the Emmy Award-winning Jump Rhythm Jazz Project (JRJP) dance company features two premieres, including artistic director Billy Siegenfeld’s “When Little Enough is Good Enough” and a historic revival of “Too Close for Comfort.” More information on JRJP is online. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for full-time students with IDs (advance purchase only). Single tickets and tickets for groups of eight or more are available through the Theatre and Interpretation Center at Northwestern University box office at (847) 491-7282.