Gene Weygandt, Susie McMonagle, et al. Set for Northlight's SNAPSHOTS

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces casting for the Chicago premiere of Snapshots, by Stephen Schwartz and David Stern, and Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings. The Snapshots cast includes Gene Weygandt in his third production with Stephen Schwartz, following Wicked and Working; and Susie McMonagle, direct from the Billy Elliott National Tour. Snapshots also features Tony Clarno, Nick Cosgrove, Jess Godwin and Megan Long. The irreverent holiday comedy Season's Greetings includes John Byrnes, Amy Carle, Francis Guinan, John Hoogenakker, Heidi Kettenring, Maggie Kettering, Ginger Lee McDermott, Rob Riley and Matt Schwader.

"The thrill of having Stephen Schwartz here at Northlight working on a new piece reinforces our commitment to new musicals. What a great opportunity for local artists to work with this legendary composer, and for our audience to glimpse his favorite musical pieces in a new context," comments Artistic Director BJ Jones. "One of the joys of working on Alan Ayckbourn's plays is that they are opportunities to assemble killer casts, and in Chicago, we are rich with actors who can breathe life into Ayckbourn's wildly funny style. Both casts are a ‘who's who' of Chicago talent, and we are all excited to have them here at Northlight."

Subscriptions are currently on sale. Tickets to Snapshots and Season's Greetings will be on sale August 5, 2011. Tickets are available through the box office, 9501 Skokie Boulevard in Skokie, by phone at 847.673.6300 or online at northlight.org.

About Snapshots
Snapshots with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by David Stern, is directed by Ken Sawyer and runs September 16 - October 23, 2011. The press opening is Friday, September 23, 2011.

Snapshots, described by the creators as a "musical scrapbook," blends together some of the best-loved music with some of the genuinely wonderful lesser known gems of renowned Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, the creator of Wicked, Godspell, Pippin! and Working.

This touching romantic comedy exposes a marriage at a crossroads, as a middle-aged couple reminisces how love brought them together and why life pushed them apart. Mr. Schwartz has rewritten many of the lyrics to even his most familiar songs to reflect 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.

Snapshots Cast bios
Tony Clarno (Daniel) Chicago credits include Grease (American Theater Company) Aladdin (Chicago Shakespeare Theater) and Stupid Kids (About Face Theatre). Regional credits include Third and Pygmalion (Guthrie Theater); Drawer Boy (Jungle Theater); West Side Story (Portland Center Stage); The Winter's Tale, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Great River Shakespeare Festival); The Crucible (Pittsburgh Public). Film credits include Peaceful Warrior (Lions Gate). Television credits include Pandemic and Shark Swarm (The Hallmark Channel).

Nick Cosgrove (Danny) is originally from Park Ridge, Illinois and is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. Currently based in New York, credits there include Where's Charley?, Saving Aimee, Tuck Everlasting, and It's a Wonderful Life. Regional credits: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (New Theatre, Kansas City, MO); The Sound of Music (Engeman Theatre, Northport, NY); and Titanic, Show Boat, Les Miserables, Annie, My Fair Lady and Miss Saigon (The Muny, St. Louis, MO).

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