Northlight Theatre Presents THE OUTGOING TIDE Feat. Reed, Mahoney; 5/12-6/19

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, announces the World Premiere of The Outgoing Tide, by Bruce Graham, directed by BJ Jones. The cast features John Mahoney, Rondi Reed and Thomas J. Cox. The Outgoing Tide runs May 12-June 19, 2011 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie. The press opening is Saturday May 21, 2011.

In a summer cottage on Chesapeake Bay, Gunner has hatched an unorthodox plan to secure his family's future but meets with resistance from his wife and son, who have plans of their own. As winter approaches, the three must quickly find common ground and come to an understanding-before the tide goes out. This new drama, featuring Northlight favorite John Mahoney, hums with dark humor and powerful emotion.

Tony Award winner John Mahoney returns to Northlight after appearing in A Life and Better Late. Rondi Reed makes first Chicago appearance since her Tony Award-winning turn in August: Osage County and her acclaimed role in CBS's Mike and Molly. Thomas J. Cox, a founding member of Lookingglass, has previously appeared at Northlight in Pride & Prejudice and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

The Outgoing Tide is the recipient of a 2010 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award.  The production is supported in part by The Lehman Family American Experience Series and Nuveen Investments. This play was the recipient of the Selma Melvoin Playwriting Award, given by Northlight Theatre.

Tickets for The Outgoing Tide, $30-50, are now on sale by phone, 847.673.6300, or online at HYPERLINK "http://www.northlight.org" northlight.org. Young Adult tickets (25 and under) are $10 (one per person with valid ID).

"Thom Cox, Rondi Reed and John Mahoney bring their formidable talents to Northlight in this moving ensemble piece, says Artistic Director BJ Jones.  I'm so delighted to be working with old friends on a delicate and actor-based piece that their gifts are made for."

The designers are Brian Sidney Bembridge (set), Rachel Laritz (costumes), JR Lederle (lighting) and Andrew Hansen (sound). Rita Vreeland is the production stage manager.

Bruce Graham (Playwright) has written Burkie, Early One Evening at the Rainbow Bar & Grille, Moon Over the Brewery, Belmont Avenue Social Club, Desperate Affection, Coyote on a Fence (Winner of The Rosenthal Prize, Two Drama Desk Nominations - the West End production starred Ben Cross), According to Goldman, The Philly Fan. He has won consecutive Barrymore Awards for Best New Play for Something Intangible and Any Given Monday. Mister Hart and Mister Brown opens at People's Light and Theatre in 2012. Film: Dunston Checks In, Anastasia, Steal This Movie. TV: Roseanne, Ring of Endless Light (Humanitas Award Winner - Best Children's Screenplay), The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Trading Christmas will play on the Hallmark Channel during the upcoming holiday season. Graham is a past winner of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette. Along with Michele Volansky, he is the author of the book The Collaborative Playwright. Graham teaches film and theatre courses at Drexel University. He lives in South Philly with Stephanie, Kendall and Truman.

BJ Jones is in his 12th year as Artistic Director of Northlight Theatre, where he has piloted the world premieres of Craig Wright's Lady, Better Late (by Larry Gelbart & Craig Wright), Rounding Third, Sky Girls and Cat Feet.  As a producer he guided the world premieres of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years, The Gamester, and Studs Terkel's 'The Good War.'   He has directed at Steppenwolf, Intiman Theatre in Seattle, Atlanta's Alliance Theatre, The Utah Shakespearean Festival, The Asolo Theatre in Sarasota, and Next Theatre in Evanston.  Directorial work includes Northlight's The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Grey Gardens, The Lady with All the Answers, The Retreat From Moscow, A Skull in Connemara, The Cripple of Inishmaan, and An Experiment With an Airpump, as well as productions of A Number, Twelfth Night, Glengarry Glen Ross (Suzie Bass Nominee - Best Director), Pygmalion, The Price (Jeff Nomination - Best Director,) and 100 Saints You Should Know.  A two-time Joseph Jefferson Award winner, he has appeared at Northlight in dozens of productions and has performed at virtually every major theatre in Chicago.

Thomas J. Cox (Jack) is thrilled to return to Northlight, where he has appeared in Pride & Prejudice, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, and three Interplay Series readings: Intelligence-Slave, Emma and The Outgoing Tide.  He is a founding ensemble member of Lookingglass, where he has appeared in over thirty productions, most recently as Hook in Peter Pan (a play).  Thom has been nominated twice for Joseph Jefferson Awards (Best Supporting Actor and Best Solo Performance).  Other credits: Rock ‘n' Roll (Goodman); Elephant Man (Steppenwolf for Young Audiences); Fraulein Else, Raisin, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and, most recently, Orlando (Court); as well as productions at Victory Gardens, Madison Rep, Weston Playhouse, ITC, and a film for House Theatre.  Directing credits: Lookingglass, Eclipse, Piven, Weston Playhouse.  Film/TV: Since You've Been Gone (Miramax); Chi-Girl (Van Lier Productions); Brotherhood (Showtime).  Love to Chris and Joanie.

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