Northwestern University Theater in December

EVANSTON, Ill. --- A contemporary adaptation of a classic Shakespeare comedy which opens Nov. 20 continues through Dec. 6 as part of Northwestern University’s 2015-16 Mainstage theater season.

Another pre-holiday highlight is an encore broadcast of National Theatre Live’s stage production of  “Coriolanus,” starring Tom Hiddleston, on Dec. 8. Hiddleston is best known for his roles as Loki in the films “Thor” and  “The Avengers” and the film “Midight in Paris.”

Presented by the School of Communication’s Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts, Mainstage productions performed by Northwestern student actors and Stage on Screen broadcasts featuring popular stars appearing on London or Broadway stages, will be held in venues on Northwestern’s Evanston campus.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION 

• “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Ethel M. Barber Theater. Is it too late to set conditions after you’ve fallen in love? Banished by her uncle to the Forest of Arden, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and puts her would-be husband to the test, discovering both her partner and herself in an instant. Letting go and opening your heart are at the center of this contemporary production staged by Northwestern MFA directing candidate Risher Reddick, in which violence and isolation give way to love, communion, and song and dance. Talkback discussions will follow the Nov. 20 and Dec. 3 performances. Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the making of "As You Like It." 

STAGE ON SCREEN

Upcoming Stage on Screen broadcasts will include National Theatre Live broadcasts of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” on Nov. 23 (sold out), Nov. 24 (sold out), Dec. 1 (sold out) Dec. 9 (sold out), and March 30 (tickets still available) with Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role; an encore showing of “Coriolanus” on Dec. 8 starring Tom Hiddleston; Charlotte Bronte’s classic “Jane Eyre” on Feb. 2; Donmar Warehouse’s highly-anticipated new production of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” with a cast that includes Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey”), Janet McTeer (“The White Queen”) and Dominic West (“The Wire”); and Rosalie Craig in “As You Like It” on March 29, directed by Polly Findlay. 

National Theatre Live (NT Live) is sponsored by Aviva and supported with public funding by Arts Council England. The Wirtz Center’s NT Live broadcasts are sponsored by a generous grant from The Alumnae of Northwestern University. 

DECEMBER 2015 STAGE ON SCREEN BROADCAST

• NT LIVE (Encore broadcast), Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” starring Tom Hiddleston, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, Ethel M. Barber Theater, 30 Arts Circle Drive, Evanston campus. National Theatre Live’s 2013 broadcast of the Donmar Warehouse’s production of “Coriolanus” returns to cinemas by popular demand. Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge, “Coriolanus” features an Evening Standard Award-winning performance from Tom Hiddleston (“The Avengers,” “War Horse” (film), BBC’s “The Hollow Crown”) in the title role. Directed by Josie Rourke, Donmar's artistic director. When an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field, Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people. Running time: 180 minutes (3 hours). Tickets are $20 for the general public; $16 for Northwestern faculty and staff (in-person or phone order only); or $10 for full-time students (under 30) with valid IDs. Watch the film's trailer.

For more information, visit wirtz.northwestern.edu or contact the Wirtz Center Box Office at 847-491-7282.