Tony Mockus Chicago Actor

Legendary Chicago actor Tony Mockus will star in Northlight Theatre's season opening production of 'Inherit the Wind," opening in September, 2006 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.  Mr. Mockus, whose recent credits include starring roles in 'The Sunshine Boys,' 'Sleuth' and 'On Golden Pond,' will play Matthew Harrison Brady, the charismatic prosecuting attorney based on the real life William Jennings Bryan.  The 1955 drama by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee is based on the actual 1920's 'Scopes Monkey Trial,' in which a teacher is placed on trial for teaching Charles Darwin's studies of evolution as opposed to the biblical account of creation. 

Mr. Mockus, who is an honoree of the Chicago Drama League's Crystal Award, traces his illustrious career back to the 1940s, when he appeared in the original company of 'Mister Roberts,' opposite both John Forsythe and Henry Fonda.  His Chicago credits have included roles at the Goodman Theatre, Chicago Star Theatre, Candlelight Theatre, Marriott's Lincolnshire Theatre, Roosevelt University, Drury Lane, and Court Theatre.  Nationally, Mr. Mockus has appeared at the Guthrie Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Meadowbrook Theatre, and the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta.  As a director he has worked at the Marriott, Meadowbrook Theatre, Goodman, Northlight and Drury Lane.  For film, television and radio work, Mr. Mockus has over 40 credits to his name including several NPR radio scripts and nationally released movies.  Mr. Mockus has been nominated for four Jeff Awards including 'Plaza Suite,' 'Our Town,' 'George Nathan in Review,' and 'God's Man in Texas.'  

Northlight Theatre's current season continues with 'Grace" January 25-February 26; 'The Chalk Garden" March 22-April 23; and 'The Retreat from Moscow" May 10-June 18.  Craig Wright's 'Grace" concerns an evangelical couple's plan to start a hotel franchise.  Things quickly spin out of control in this wryly funny yet devastatingly tragic tale of murder, romance, faith, and betrayal.  William Brown (Goodman's Scrooge in 'A Christmas Carol") directs 'The Chalk Garden' by Enid Bagnold.  A wealthy grandmother, her precocious granddaughter, an eccentric butler and a mysterious governess make a comedy of manners with an unexpected twist.  Finally, Steppenwolf Theatre ensemble members John Mahoney and Rondi Reed team up for 'The Retreat from Moscow,' a powerful portrayal of a disintegrating marriage.  Northlight's Artistic Director BJ Jones directs this Tony Award-nominated drama by William Nicholson, which closes Northlight's 2005-2006 season.
 
Joe Stead
Theatre In Chicago News Contributor Joe Stead has spent over 20 years as a critic, director, designer and performer. His reviews currently appear online at www.steadstylechicago.com.