Northwestern Theatre in December

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Chicago area and North Shore audiences -- for the third consecutive year -- will have the opportunity to experience the best of British theatre in December, when the Theatre and Interpretation Center (TIC) at Northwestern University presents the National Theatre Live (NT Live) broadcast series.

The broadcasts include a Dec. 10 reprise of Alan Bennett’s “The Habit of Art,” directed by Nicholas Hytner. 

On Dec. 11, “National Theatre: 50 Years On Stage,” is a Chicago area premiere and Northwestern University exclusive. It features many of the most renowned actors who have performed on National Theatre’s London stage and excepts of the productions they appeared in.   

Both broadcasts will take place on the University’s Evanston campus at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, as noted.

Single tickets to NT Live broadcasts are on sale now through the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282 or online at www.tic.northwestern.edu/ntlive. Single-ticket prices are listed below. Where applicable, ticket discounts are available for groups of eight or more.

TIC’s first winter 2014 Mainstage production, Jan. 31 to Feb. 9, is Lillian Groag’s “Aimee and Jaguar,” a stage adaptation of Erica Fisher’s non-fiction book “Aimee and Jaguar.” Joseph Hanreddy, the former artistic director of the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, will direct.

DECEMBER 2013 NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE (NT LIVE) BROADCASTS

“The Habit of Art” (reprise), by Alan Bennett, directed by Nicholas Hytner, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 10, at the Josephine Louis Theater. Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W. H. Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first in 25 years, they are observed and interrupted by, among others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station. The production features Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour. 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. For tickets, call the TIC Box Office at (847) 491-7282.

“National Theatre: 50 Years On Stage,” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, directed by Nicholas Hytner, at the Josephine Louis Theater. To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the National Theatre of Great Britain’s recent special production brings together the best British actors for an evening of unforgettable performances.

 A cast of 100 will perform live on stage in this once-in-a-lifetime event, directed by the National Theatre’s current director Nicholas Hytner. These top stars of stage include actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, Helen Mirren and Maggie Smith, among others. The event will cover “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,” “The History Boys” and “Antony and Cleopatra” to “Angels in America,” “Guys and Dolls,” “London Road” and other performances of the National Theatre. Single tickets are $20 for the general public; $16 for Northwestern University faculty and staff (phone and in-person only) and $10 for full-time students with valid IDs at Will Call). Rates for groups of eight or more are $18 for the general public and $8 for full-time students.

JANUARY 2014 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION 

“Aimee and Jaguar,” by Lillian Groag, based on the book of the same name by Erica Fisher, directed by Joseph Hanreddy, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1; 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6; 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, at the Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus. As war-torn Berlin crumbles underneath constant Allied bombing, a romance kindles between Lilly Wust, a mother of four with a husband away fighting for the Nazi cause, and Felice Schragenheim, a Jewish girl living on fake IDs and uncertain of her next meal. “Aimee and Jaguar” investigates the complex and contradictory nature of love in the emotionally charged final days of the Third Reich. “Aimee and Jaguar,” written by Northwestern University alumna Lillian Groag, is sponsored by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University. Post-show discussions with the cast and creative team will follow the Jan. 31 opening night performance and the Feb. 2 matinee and Feb. 6 evening performances. Single tickets are $10 to $25, with $5 tickets exclusively for full-time Northwestern students on advance purchase; discounts available for groups of eight or more.

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.