The Miser

Northlight Theatre begins its 33rd season, celebrating BJ Jones’ 10th year as Artistic Director, with Moliere’s The Miser, a classic French farce with a contemporary twist. The production, directed by Mark E. Lococo, runs October 3 – November 11 at the Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie.

A classic costume comedy gets a fresh, contemporary twist. When an old widower decides to marry off his children against their will, he sets the entire family scheming to steal his fortune. With forbidden romance in the air and the family treasure in the backyard, it’s a race to see who will come out on top. A hilarious tale of true love – between a man and his money.

“Northlight has a tradition of producing refreshed classic plays- notably, Lady Windermere’s Fan, The Gamester, School for Wives and She Stoops to Conquer,” says Artistic Director BJ Jones. “We are thrilled to welcome director Mark Lococo to our Theatre for the first time to direct this fresh adaptation of a very funny classic with an accomplished cast and a beautiful set. It’s the perfect way to kick-off what we think is sure to be one of our strongest seasons yet.”

Director Mark E. Lococo adds, “[Adapter and translator] James Magruder has created a Miser that comes alive again with comic possibilities. He’s used all the classical set-ups of the original Moliere, but written dialogue that’s contemporary, hip, sarcastic and smart-aleck. There’s a great challenge in producing a period piece that the contemporary significance doesn’t get buried under too many hoops, ruffles and powdered wigs. On the other hand, there’s a great deal of fun to be found in period conventions that dictate certain behaviors from characters. In this case, we have the best of both worlds- since we’re creating a world that’s rooted in a period but isn’t too firmly tied there.”

Mark E. Lococo most recently directed Mountain for the Apple Tree Theatre in Chicago, where he is an Artistic Associate. Previous productions there include the Midwest premiere of Dessa Rose (for which he was nominated for Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Direction of a Musical), Uncle Vanya, the Chicago premiere of A Man of No Importance, The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Indian Ink, Syncopation, The Dresser, The Swan, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Waiting For Godot, and Sugar.

Tickets for The Miser range in price from $35-$55 and are available by phone, 847-673-6300, or online at www.northlight.org.