Welcome to our NEW LOCATION at 1012 Church Street in Downtown Evanston
Welcome!
We are delighted to announce Northlight’s inaugural season in our new home in Downtown Evanston! We can’t wait to introduce you to our new space, designed to give you the best theatre-going experience possible.
Northlight Theatre is one of the largest and longest-running theaters in the Chicagoland area, with a 50-year history of intensely entertaining, top caliber productions. In our new home, we’ve focused on creating a dynamic and welcoming audience experience with an inviting lobby, comfortable seats, excellent sightlines, and clear acoustics, all in a vibrant surrounding neighborhood to complete your night out.
We are pleased to share:
- We’ve secured FREE PARKING for Northlight patrons – you’ll find details below, along with other convenient nearby parking options.
- With our new ticketing system, we’ve eliminated all handling fees for subscription orders – the prices you see are what you’ll pay.
- We have a dedicated Patron Services staff ready to help answer any questions you may have.
Explore the season below, or jump to:
Announcing the Season
A world premiere adaption of the rapid-fire classic comedy that also inspired the 1940 film His Girl Friday.
THE FRONT PAGE
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, from the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur
Directed by BJ Jones
In a 1930s Chicago press room, wise-cracking reporters are abuzz with the latest news: ace reporter Hildy Johnson is quitting her job and getting married. Editor Walter Burns has no intention of letting her go– out of the newsroom, or into the arms of another man. When a death row convict manages a daring escape, Walter wrangles Hildy into covering one last irresistible story, a tangle of rival reporters, crooked politicians, and a scoop too big to ignore!
September 9 - October 18, 2026
‘Tis the season for a love story! Gunderson’s signature blend of romance, wit, and bittersweet beauty shines in this world premiere.
All the WOrld
By Lauren M. Gunderson
Directed by Jessica Thebus
Two actors find themselves in an ever-shifting relationship during the most emotionally charged time of the year: the holidays. Set amidst the backstages and quick changes of the world’s most beloved seasonal classics, they try to keep the mess of their private lives offstage, whether they’re falling in love or falling apart. Surprising, heartbreaking, and hopeful, All the World reminds us why—year after year—we keep stepping into the light, telling the story, and leaving it all on the stage.
November 11 - December 20, 2026
“In rousing resistance to injustice and inspiring cohesion and connection, this play is a triumph of doing what it’s about!” –DC Theater Arts
the AMerican Five
By Chess Jakobs
Directed by Mikael Burke
“I have a dream…” The words that galvanized a nation weren’t written alone. Through late nights and shared meals, differing approaches but collective dreams, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison, and Clarence B. Jones plan the March on Washington and craft a speech to inspire Americans to act toward their shared vision of equality and justice for all. On their way to shaping a defining moment in the civil rights movement, five individuals became a family. Together, they became history.
February 3 - March 3, 2027
Here There Are Blueberries
By Moisés Kaufman and Amanda Gronich
Directed by Charles Newell
In 2007, a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. As curators unravel the shocking truth behind the images, the album soon makes headlines and ignites a debate that reverberates far beyond the museum walls. Based on real events, Here There Are Blueberries tells the story of these historical photographs—what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity.
April 7 - May 16, 2027
One legend takes on another! In a bravura turn as the unforgettable Pearl Bailey is the incomparable E. Faye Butler.
PEARL'S IN THE HOUSE
By Art Manke
Directed by Kenneth L. Roberson
Legendary performer Pearl Bailey navigated the waters of being a Black woman in America the only way she knew how – through her music. On the eve of a scheduled performance in the Reagan White House she agrees to an interview, not expecting the ambitious journalist who calls into question some of her more controversial choices. The personal and political come into sharp conflict as the savvy entertainer reveals her multi-faceted life through flashbacks and some of her most memorable songs.
June 7 - July 18, 2027
location & Parking
New Home: 1012 Church St, Evanston IL 60201
PARKING OPTIONS
FREE:
FREE PARKING for Northlight Patrons at the 1800 Maple Self Park Garage. (Validate at Northlight for up to 4 hours) The garage is 0.2 miles from the theatre entrance, equivalent to approximately 1.5 city blocks.
FREE SUNDAYS – All Public Parking – metered street parking, lot, or garage – is free on Sundays and Holidays.
FREE ADA PARKING – ADA Parking in all public lots and garages is free at all times with Disability Parking Placard.
NEARBY ALTERNATIVES:
PUBLIC LOTS 25 and 27 are steps from Northlight’s back entrance! Both lots include ADA spaces, and are adjacent to Northlight’s back entrance, which will be open at all performance and event times. (Walking distance is less than the distance from the North Shore Center back entrance to the back half of the surface lot behind.) Public lots cost only $2/hr.
METERED STREET PARKING – Parking meters on Church St and surrounding streets cost only $2/hour and end at 9:00pm. For an evening performance at 7:30, early arrival at 7pm would mean a total cost of only $4!
ADDITIONAL GARAGE PARKING – The Sherman Plaza Garage (821 Davis Street, entrance on Davis St or Benson Ave). Garage parking is only $6 for up to 5 hours – enough for a meal and a show! Located 0.2 miles from theatre entrance.
Public Transportation
Both the CTA Purple Line (Davis stop) and Metra (UP-North/Evanston station) stop a half block east of the theatre entrance! For buses and additional routes, visit TransitChicago.com.
Subscriber benefits
Save money, guarantee your seats, and get the most out of your Northlight experience with a Season Subscription!
- BEST PRICES: Save up to 40% off regular ticket prices by purchasing a package.
- FIRST ACCESS: Seats designated before tickets are available to the general public.
- FREE EXCHANGES: Enjoy the flexibility of unlimited FREE TICKET EXCHANGES without any service charges.*
- NO FEES: Subscription prices are all inclusive, the prices listed are what you'll pay.
- DISCOUNTS: Take 20% off regular prices when purchasing additional tickets for friends and family.
- FREE PARKING: Free parking validation (up to 4 hours) for Northlight Patrons at the 1800 Maple Garage.
*Free exchanges into dates and seats of equal or lesser value, for another performance of the same production. Difference will be due if a higher-priced option is selected.
PRICES & SEATING
Traditional
See the entire 5-Play inaugural season with our most popular package. Prices for all five plays start at only $180!
Senior Wednesdays
Seniors 65+ receive $10 off 5-Play Subscriptions on Wednesday matinees or evenings. Applies to Premium or Standard seating on full price subscriptions (discounts may not be combined).
| 2026-27 Season 5-Play Package | |||
| PREVIEWS | PREMIUM | STANDARD | VALUE |
| Wed Matinee | $220 | $190 | $180 |
| All Evenings | $240 | $210 | $200 |
| Sun Matinee | $275 | $245 | $235 |
| REGULAR RUN | PREMIUM | STANDARD | VALUE |
| Wed Matinee | $280 | $255 | $245 |
| All Evenings | $305 | $280 | $270 |
| Sat/Sun Matinee | $325 | $300 | $280 |
FLEX PASS
Receive four ticket credits to use how you please: see four shows, attend two shows as a couple, or bring three friends to one performance! Book up to one hour before curtain. Improved feature: Flex Passes for the 2026-27 Season can be booked online!
| 2026-27 Flex Passes | ||
| ALL ACCESS | CLASSIC | PREVIEW |
| $295 | $249 | $159 |
| Any performance, Seats in any section | Any performance, Seats in Standard or Value sections | Preview performances, Seats in Value Section |
All of Row G, plus seats C306-310, may be reached without any stairs. Seats highlighted as Accessible include options for wheelchairs or transfer from wheelchair or walker. Please contact Patron Services to determine best options to meet specific needs.
Download a complete list of Series Dates, Prices, and Seats
NEW VENUE HIGHLIGHTS
Our new theatre features:
- More comfortable seats with denser padding and wider seat widths.
- Better sightlines, with more seats in the center section and less severe angles from the sides.
- An open box office counter for easy access to our dedicated Patron Services staff.
- A lobby bar with seating, with an array of beverage and snack options.
- A space designed with acoustics in mind, for better hearing for all audience members. Plus a new assistive listening system and built-in T-Coil loop compatible with most hearing aids.
- A second floor lounge with space for pre- or post-show receptions for groups, companies, or community organizations.
- Elevator access to the theatre and to the second floor reception area.
Area Dining
Our new neighborhood features a variety of vibrant dining options to complement your theatre-going experience!
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How to Subscribe
Flex Passes can be purchased now. Click here or call: 847.563.8400.
Questions?
NEW CONTACT INFORMATION:
Call Patron Services at 847.563.8400 or email boxoffice@northlight.org.
In person Patron Services will open at 1012 Church Street in August 2026.