Theatre News Wire

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, presents Ten Chimneys by Jeffrey Hatcher, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones. The production runs March 9 - April 15, 2012 at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd.

For decades, Broadway legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne entertained the most influential artists of their time-from Noel Coward to Sydney Greenstreet- at Ten Chimneys, their legendary Wisconsin retreat. When a young Uta Hagen arrives to rehearse the Lunts' latest production, she sparks an offstage romantic triangle that rivals any onstage drama. Life imitates art in this comically revealing take on the private lives of these very public figures.

"In July of 2009, I took playwright Jeff Hatcher and Arizona Theatre Company Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein to Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne's estate, Ten Chimneys. As we visited the grounds, the spirits of the American theatre surrounded us - whispering their secrets, sharing their stories and inspiring us to call them to life. The likes of Laurence Olivier, Noel Coward, Helen Hayes, show business greatest stars, visited Ten Chimneys, seeking the shelter of the couple's love and sharing their passion for art," comments BJ Jones. "David Ira recalls that I murmured something about Jeff writing a play for us. Jeff's creative wheels started turning. Before we left Ten Chimneys, I decided we would put the then unwritten play Ten Chimneys into our Interplay New Play Development program, thus giving Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne's spirits flight onstage once again."

The cast includes Lance Baker (Carl), Janet Ulrich Brooks (Louise), Sara Griffin (Uta Hagen), V Craig Heidenreich (Alfred Lunt), Lia Mortensen (Lynn Fontanne), Linda Kimbrough (Hattie), Steve Pringle (Sydney Greenstreet)

Designers include Tom Burch (Set Design), Rachel Laritz (Costume Design), JR Lederle (Lighting Design) and Joe Cerqua (Sound Design).