Displaying items by tag: Andrew Mueller

Northlight Theatre's Board of Directors proudly presents Northlight Theatre's Grand Opening Gala, "Celebrating our Past, Building our Future," marking the culmination of the company's 50^th Anniversary Season and the beginning of a new era in Evanston. The Grand Opening benefit event will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Northlight Theatre, 1012 Church Street in Evanston, IL. Supporters and friends will enjoy an evening of food, fun, entertainment and more at Northlight's brand-new home in Evanston.

Musical entertainment will be by celebrated performers and Evanston natives Abby Mueller (Grammy nominee, Six: The Musical), Andrew Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Waitress and Beautiful) and Matt Mueller (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), with music direction by Northwestern University alumnus Ian Weinberger (Hamilton, Chess). The Gala evening's Master of Ceremonies is Rob Lindley and the auctioneer is Chris Hensley.

The evening on August 15 will kick off at 6:00pm with appetizers and cocktails in the lobby and food stations throughout the building. At 8:00pm guests will enter the brand-new 287-seat theatre for musical entertainment by siblings Abby, Andrew, Jessie, and Matt Mueller, accompanied by Ian Weinberger. These five born and bred Evanstonians have gone on to regional, national, and Broadway acclaim, and are coming home to Evanston for a rare joint appearance. The evening will continue with a live auction and paddle raise, followed by dessert, DJ and dancing in the second-floor rehearsal room.

The building's ribbon cutting will be held on July 28, 2026. The inaugural season in Evanston will begin on September 9, 2026, with the world premiere of The Front Page, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The production, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones and featuring Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane, runs September 9 - October 18, 2026 with the opening set for Friday, September 18, 2026.

Northlight Theatre's new theater, education, and community space is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features 287 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.

Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Opening our brand-new theatre in our founding hometown is a truly special moment. I cannot begin to list the artists, ticket buyers and donors who, over 50 years, delivered us to this moment. In their honor, we celebrate this special evening by sharing the outstanding, homegrown talent of the Muellers and the joy of welcoming our nearest and dearest supporters to our new stage.

Executive Director Timothy J. Evans adds, "After five decades, Northlight Theatre finally has a home of its own. A home in the heart of a revitalized downtown Evanston entertainment district steps from public transportation, parking, restaurants, shops, and Northwestern University. Our long-awaited homecoming to Evanston will transform the theatre landscape on the North Shore and Chicago. The New Northlight will serve as a vital place for exchanging ideas, storytelling, community gathering and a long-needed cultural hub for the many communities we serve. We can't wait to share it." 

Proceeds from the event will benefit Northlight Theatre's powerful work onstage, extensive youth education programs, and meaningful community partnerships, as well as the Arts for Everyone Free Ticket program which breaks down the barriers to accessing theatre starting with the price of a ticket.

Tickets are $500. Corporate and individual sponsorships are also available at levels from $5000 to $25,000. Tickets are available for purchase at northlight.org/gala. To inquire about sponsorships, contact Northlight Theatre at 847.563.8458.

The Gala Chair is Stacy Hetherington Simpson. The Gala Committee is Candace Corr, Timothy J. Evans, Sandra Farrow, Barb Goodman, Kim Hoopingarner, Abigail Kanes, Mikey Laird, Barbara Liss, Trimmy Stamell, and Nina Uziel-Miller.

The Northlight Board of Trustees is: Robert J. Regan, Chair; Julie Chernoff, Senior Vice-Chair; Donna Frett, Vice-Chair; Tobi Laczkowski, Vice-Chair; Paul Epner, Treasurer; Paul Lehner, Secretary; and Jim Allen, Percy Berger, Carole Cahill, Hamilton Chang, Jennifer W. Christensen, Diana Cohen, Northlight Theatre Executive Director Timothy Evans, Sandra H. Farrow, J. Douglas Gray, Freddi Greenberg, Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones, Barbara Liss, Dennis Marino, Mark McCarville, Joanell McKenna, Vasu Modekurti, Meghan Otis, Brenton Rogers, Michele Y. Rogers, Reetu Gowdar Sanders, Bob Silverman, Stacy Hetherington Simpson, Craig Smith, Kent Swanson, Nina Uziel-Miller, Dr. Eric Witherspoon, and Gifford Zimmerman.

Gala Sponsors to date are Premier Level: Bulley & Andrews, Tom Stringer Design Partners; Gold Level: Hagerty, Sloan; Silver Level: Endeavor Health, Exelon, Kirkland & Ellis, LionBird; Bronze Level: Byline Bank, CoBank, Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Grumman|Butkus Associates, Katten, Mabadi Group, Northwestern University Neighborhood and Community Relations, Quarles, UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement; Special Event Sponsors: Edward Jones, Golub & Company, GreenState Credit Union, John J. Cahill Inc, Mather, Nature's Perspective Landscaping, Romano Wealth Management, Rotary International,  Schuler Shook, Trulee Evanston; and Individual Sponsors: Ann & Brian Balusek, Marcia Caulkins, Paul Lehman and Ronna Stamm, The Martel Family, Mark McCarville, Joanell and Jim McKenna, The Lloyd Morgan Family, Judy Newton,  Sam and Marianne Oliva, Eleanor and William Revelle, Catherine and Bart Rocca, Ingrid and Bill Stafford, and Anne and Greg Taubeneck.

About the Artists

Abby Mueller (Performer) garnered a Drama Desk Award and Grammy nomination for originating the role of Jane Seymour in the Tony Award-winning hit Six: The Musical on Broadway. She can be heard on the landmark Original Broadway Cast Recording Six: Live on Opening Night. After originating the role of Carole for the First National Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Abby was brought back twice to reprise her critically acclaimed performance on Broadway. Other credits include Kinky Boots on Broadway and extensive regional roles. Favorites include Les Misérables (Fantine), The Last 5 Years (Cathy), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Miss Saigon (Ellen), The Three Musketeers (Constance), and 1776 (Abigail Adams). TV: The Equalizer, Evil, America's Got Talent, The Today Show, The View, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon. In addition to working with young people through masterclasses and private coaching, Abby enjoys performing her own cabaret concerts and being a guest vocalist with symphonies and arts organizations across the country. Check out her Broadway.com Vlog "Yas, Queen!" on YouTube, and follow Abby on social media @abcmuell!

Andrew Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston native and has watched his family on many a stage over the years. Chicago credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Jeff Award) and Little Shop of Horrors at Marriott Lincolnshire, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Translations, and Leopoldstadt at Writers Theatre, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera. Off-Broadway: Peter and the Starcatcher and Alice By Heart. With his brother, Matt: Man of La Mancha at Marriott and Peter and the Starcatcher at Drury Lane Oakbrook. With his sister, Jessie: Merrily We Roll Along at Music Theatre Co. With his sister, Abby: a handful of concerts. He has been a fan of his siblings for many years now and might be the reason Ian got tangled up in this whole situation. And he is thrilled for Northlight to bring live theater back to Evanston.

Jessie Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston-born Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist.  She was last seen on Broadway in Tracy Lett's The Minutes. Other recent credits include the Kennedy Center's Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, Julie Jordan in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel (Tony & Grammy nominations, Drama Desk Award), originating the roles of both Jenna in Waitress (Tony, DD & Grammy noms) and Carole King in Beautiful-The Carole King Musical (Tony, Grammy & DD Awards.) Concert appearances include Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Lyric Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Opera.  Film and Television: Steven Spielberg's The Post, A Good Person, Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, Hulu's Candy, and Lifetime's Patsy & Loretta.  She can be heard on Netflix' Centaurworld and Wondery's Melon's House Party. New studio recordings include My Heart Says Go and Diary of A Wimpy Kid, The Musical. She is an Arts Education champion for groups such as Rosie's Theatre Kids (rosiestheaterkids.org) and a long-time supporter of The Entertainment Community Fund (entertainmentcommunity.org), Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (broadwaycares.org), and Chicago's own Season of Concern (seasonofconcern.org). In her spare time, she enjoys singing with these 3 goofballs and playing her favorite role to date: Mom to Ollie! She is so excited to have live theatre back here in her home town!

Matt Mueller (Performer) Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley. Tour: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley, The Play That Goes Wrong – Chicago. Regional: Once (Writers Theatre), Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, Merry Wives (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Man of La Mancha (Marriott Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Drury Lane Theatre), Shining Lives (Northlight Theatre), Shakespeare in Love, Rhinoceros, Hero: the Musical (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Dial "M" for Murder (Indiana Repertory Theatre), The Mousetrap (Milwaukee Rep), Peter and the Starcatcher, Sense & Sensibility (Lyric Repertory Company), multiple productions at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and multiple productions of Woody Guthrie's American Song. Television includes: "Chicago Justice" Film includes: Popper Baxton's Sickly Stew.

Rob Lindley (Master of Ceremonies) Northlight audiences may know Rob's work from directing 2024's 2 Pianos 4 Hands and the Jeff Award-Winning hit Songs for Nobodies (2021) and appearing onstage in Andy Warhol in Iran and in Funnyman. Other acting credits include shows at Court Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Writers, Victory Garden, and About Face. Rob also appeared in Titanique (Broadway in Chicago/Porchlight) and in the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Rob has hosted and curated concerts for many Chicago organizations and theatres, most notably The Chicago Humanities Festival and Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the (Queer) Sacred Space Salon each month at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church. 

Ian Weinberger is the music director of Chess on Broadway. His other Broadway credits as music director and/or pianist include Hamilton, Freestyle Love Supreme, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Side Show, Rocky the Musical and Chaplin. Orchestrations/arrangements: Titanic, Disney's Zootopia and Moana Jr. Concerts: Orchestra of St. Luke's, Louisiana Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony. TV: Fosse/Verdon, The Eyes of the World, American Heart in WWI, The Tony Awards. Cast albums: Chess, A New Brain, The Christmas Schooner, The Theory of Relativity. He is a proud Evanston native and graduate of Northwestern University (music education/percussion performance) and NYU (jazz piano).

Chris Hensley (Auctioneer) is a nationally recognized, award-winning benefit auctioneer who helps nonprofit organizations turn generosity into lasting impact. Chris partners with charities across the country, leading high-energy live auctions and paddle raises that inspire giving. In 2025, Chris helped raise more than $30 million – and set a charity auction record with the sale of a Dale Chihuly Basket Series glass bowl. Chris was recently recognized as the nation's second-best charity auctioneer in the Bid Masters Finale, earning the top distinction for most funds raised among an elite field of peers.

Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.

Founded in 1974 with its inaugural season in 1975-76, the organization has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 37 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.

Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from BMO Harris Bank; Bulley & Andrews; Byline Bank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc.; The Field Foundation of Illinois; Full Circle Foundation; Grumman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; John R Halligan Charitable Fund; LionBird; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Mabadi Realty; Mammel Family Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Northwestern University; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Pritzker Foundation; The Schubert Foundation, Inc.; The Sullivan Family Foundation; The Weatherlow Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners.

Back in simpler times, what seems like decades ago, during a global pandemic, I remember watching an NPR Tiny Desk Concert featuring the Broadway cast of Little Shop of Horrors. In the middle of the string of incredible songs from the show, the songs’ composer Alan Menken sat down at the piano and, before playing it, discussed how “Somewhere That’s Green” was a classic “I Want” song, one that enlists us, the audience, on a journey to fulfill a dream.

“Somewhere That’s Green.” “Part of Your World.” “Sante Fe.” Some of my favorite songs, all written by Menken and Howard Ashman. All of them, the spunky upstart in a big, bad world dreaming that the sun’ll come out tomorrow. That things’ll get better. The sort of dreamy songs and dreaming characters and dreamed up worlds that are the reason we go to the theater—the sort of theater that the Marriott Theatre always does right and certainly does in their current production of Little Shop of Horrors.

That dreaming—sweet, delusional, stubbornly human—sits at the heart of this production, anchored beautifully by Jackson Evans’ Seymour. Evans plays Seymour as a cartoonish nerd, yes, but also as an everyman in the truest sense: gentle, unsure, but never empty. His Seymour is the kind of guy you root for, because Evans lets us see the decency beneath the desperation. Even as the body count rises and the moral compromises pile up, there’s something achingly recognizable about his Seymour. He’s all of us.

Opposite him, Maya Rowe delivers a quietly devastating Audrey. “Somewhere That’s Green” lands here not as a kitschy parody of 1950s domestic fantasies, but as a heartbreakingly sincere confession—and at the end it felt and looked like she was singing it right to me. Rowe resists the temptation to overplay Audrey’s quirks, instead grounding her in a bruised realism that makes her longing feel earned. When she dreams of a life that includes frozen dinners and a plastic sofa, Rowe is reminding us that while Little Shop of Horrors may be funny and absurd, it’s also a story about people like each of us, people dreaming of something better. (Side note: A chance encounter in a theater hallway post-show found Rowe’s actual persona as sweet as her onstage Audrey—taking a moment to take a photo with my young daughter and offering words of encouragement to her about her own theatrical dreams.)

Seymour and Audrey’s grounding make the production’s comedic turns all the more effective, particularly when longtime Marriott favorites Andrew Mueller and Mark David Kaplan enter the fray. Mueller brings infectious energy and sharp comic timing—not only to Orin, the biker/dentist/villain whose portrayal by Steve Martin delighted me as a kid), but to a slew of other characters, while Kaplan once again delights with his own comedic and vocal talents. Their work fills out the Skid Row world that we inhabit for a couple of hours without ever pulling focus from its emotional center.

And then, of course, there’s Audrey II, the most iconic carnivorous plant in musical theatre history. The combination of Lorenzo Rush’s velvety, menacing voice work and the precision of the puppet operation is nothing short of thrilling. The puppeteers both sink into the background and provide their own characterizations as leafy parts of Audrey II’s anatomy. The plant feels alive in an unsettling way, its charisma as seductive as its hunger is terrifying. Rush’s performance finds the perfect balance between playful swagger and genuine menace - the audience enjoying the sound of the voice even as we recoil from what it represents. (Although Audrey II’s hilarious pre-show no-phones-or-posting warning seemed to have been unheeded by several oblivious influencers on opening night.)

Still, the beating heart of this Little Shop belongs to the trio of Crystal, Ronnette, and Chiffon. Lydia Burke, Daryn Whitney Harrell, and Miciah Lathan deliver a masterclass in ensemble performance, functioning as Greek chorus, Motown girl group, and omniscient narrators all at once. Their 60s-period-correct harmonies are immaculate, their energy is electric, and each of their vocals are utterly commanding.

All of this talent is corralled and focused by Tommy Rapley’s direction and choreography, which keep the production moving, with the intimacy and magic unique to the Marriott’s in-the-round design. The set design creates a mid-century Skid Row that’s a world where our heroes live. And all of the characters - heroes or villains - are beautifully costumed by Amanda Vander Byl, with amazing wigs and makeup by Miguel A. Armstrong being especially delightful. Meanwhile, the orchestra - so often an unsung hero at the Marriott - delivers Menken’s score with precision, swelling where it should and pulling back when restraint serves the story better.

What ultimately makes this production of Little Shop of Horrors resonate is its refusal to treat the show as a novelty. Yes, it’s funny. Yes, it’s outrageous. Yes, it involves a singing plant from outer space. And yes, the stage ending’s a bit different than the one I remember at the movie theater from my own childhood. But Marriott’s production understands that behind all of this, Little Shop of Horrors does what all great musical theater should do - take its audience on a beautiful journey through a world populated by talented artists whose dreams and desires aren’t that different from our own. Come journey with Marriott Theatre to somewhere that’s green, as Little Shop of Horrors runs now through March 15.

When I remember John Denver, it’s hard not to think about crisp country air, clean rivers, pristine mountains and, well, just a healthy planet. John loved nature. It was abundantly clear in his music. His life was cut short at just 53 years old when a plane he was piloting crashed into Monterey Bay, but the folk and country singer left quite an impression on the world in his four decades with not only the music he wrote and performed but also his work as an activist and humanitarian.

In Almost Heaven, a musical revue created by Harold Thau, the singer’s longtime manager, John Denver’s life and music are celebrated in brilliant fashion. Currently being performed at nearby Theatre at the Center in Munster, Indiana, Artistic Director Linda Fortunato skillfully directs this wonderful tribute as William Underwood lends his special touch as the productions’ Music Director to bring Denver’s most memorable songs to life.

(left to right) Actors Steven Romero Schaffer, Tommy Malouf, Sara Geist and Andrew Mueller - Photo by Guy Rhodes

While telling the story of Denver’s life from the start of his music career in the 1960’s through his untimely death in 1997, the musically gifted cast takes turns singing and playing songs that include fan favorites “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders” and, of course, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. The often-moving story touches on Denver’s anti-war stance despite growing up in a military family, his meteoric rise in becoming a household name, his marriage, his love for a rich, clean environment and the impact his music had on so many people. A particularly touching moment occurs when a letter is read from a young fan in China who shares what a positive effect Denver has left on her and her music teacher – even at a time when it was illegal to listen to his music in their country. We are also made privy to Denver’s shortcomings in his later years, since he, too, is after all human.

A rotating cast commands the three-quarter round theater. Steven Romero Schaeffer, Shannon McEldowney, Andrew Mueller, Sara Geist and Tommy Malouf each deliver strong solo and group performances, beautiful harmonies filling the venue as the five also impress on stringed instruments playing along with the Underwood-led band that also features musicians Malcolm Ruhl and Alison Tatum.

Almost Heaven is a well-crafted musical work that flows at the perfect pace while grabbing its audience from the very beginning - and it never lets go. Whether a fan of John Denver’s already or for those that have been recently introduced to his work, this production is sure to entertain and touch hearts.

Highly recommended.  

Almost Heaven is being performed at Theatre at the Center through March 22^nd. For tickets and/or more information visit www.TheatreAtTheCenter.com.

Chicago Children’s Theatre World Premiere invites you to “Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure”, and to delve into your curious imaginations. Chicago director Rachel Rockwell and music director Michael Mahler reinvented Lewis Carroll’s books Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass into a wild adventure of self-actualization.

Small, troubled, 7½ year-old Alice wants to feel ten feet tall, because after all, nothing matters at all when you’re feeling small. But that does not stop Alice from reaching her dream of becoming queen. Rockwell describes Alice as “an active protagonist. We’re talking girl power here, empowering girls, in particular, to boldly discover their true selves.” Ariana Burks, 15 years, and Isabelle Roberts, 12 years, steal the audience’s hearts, brilliantly playing Alice (both young ladies will be alternating performances as Alice).

Rockwell and Mahler uniquely interpreted the classic “Alice” stories into an inspirational rock and roll adventure. A new Alice in Wonderland soundtrack was created featuring sounds similar to Aerosmith, Kiss, Joan Jett, and David Bowie. With the perfect cast and crew, this performance is seamlessly executed. The live rock soundtrack, varying from classic rock to punk to ska, surrounds Alice as she learns valuable lessons from her friends in Wonderland. The Mad Hatter tells Alice to “do what you like, and like what you do.” Ironically, the short tempered Caterpillar reminds Alice to keep her temper. The unicorn at the end of Alice’s journey tells Alice to believe in six impossible things before breakfast, with the underlying message “believe in the impossible, and the impossible will believe in you.”  

As far as vision goes, the set perfectly captures the Victorian-grunge look. The stage’s floor resembles a chess board, and projections of gardens and hallways are plastered behind the cast to aid in the visual adventure. Costumes are also very fun and innovative to complement the colorful set. Costume designer, Mara Blumenfeld, turns the Cheshire Cat into a 1970’s lavish David Bowie. Cheshire Cat, Andrew Mueller, follows Alice throughout her journey and always wears a grin on his face because he knows the punch line. The Queen of Hearts, Molly Callinan, rocks the Joan Jett look and is completely mad when it comes to order and fairness. All the while, the Red Roses, Lillian Castillo and Regina Leslie, wear red bows and puffy red skirts, providing Alice with ridiculous advice, like “it takes a lot of work to be a natural beauty!” The Jabberwocky, also Andrew Mueller, is your worst nightmare… a punk rock demon. Complete with intimidating black spiky hair and tall, black boots, Alice must defeat the Jabberwocky; the negative thoughts and harmful monster created in her head. In this case, Alice smashes her demons, with a sensational solo on the drums. At the end of this crazy adventure, Alice learns to believe in herself and to never instill self-doubt in her head.

This performance calls for kids, parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and school groups to join in the fun at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts! “Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure” will make you laugh, it will make you shake, and it will tap your feet along with the beat.

“Wonderland, Alice’s Rock and Roll Adventure” performances are being held through May 24^th at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. Tickets are $10-$38. Programs include fun activities for kids and lessons drawn from the themes of the play. For tickets and information, visit chicagochildrenstheatre.orgor call (872) 222-9555. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (773) 227-0180 x 13 to learn about deeply discounted group rates for schools, playgroups, birthday parties, and scouting trips. Note: Groups can book an ASL- interpreted or Autism-Friendly performance by calling (773) 227- 0180 x 13 with a minimum of two week notice.