2009 SUMMER MUSIC THEATRE FESTIVAL SEASON

Now in its fourth year, the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project returns to Northwestern University for a week of workshops, master classes and performances for aspiring songwriters. Led by some of America’s most prominent songwriters and singers, this week-long project will conclude with three special events, available only on a single-ticket basis.

Master Teacher Cabaret
Wednesday, June 24, 8 p.m.
Josephine Louis Theater
Join us for an intimate evening of song featuring our 2009 Master Teachers Craig Carnelia (Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist of Sweet Smell of Success), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Tony Award-winning creator of In the Heights) and Lari White (three-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter).
Tickets: $10
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Songwriters Showcase
Friday, June 26, 8 p.m.
Josephine Louis Theater
An audience favorite! Don’t miss this opportunity to hear an evening of original music featuring the works of emerging songwriters from all over the country, representing the worlds of pop, music theatre, folk, Latin and country.
Tickets: $10
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Johnny Mercer Celebration Concert
Saturday, June 27, 8 p.m.
Pick Staiger Concert Hall
A special one-night-only concert featuring Broadway stars Liz Callaway (Merrily We Roll Along, Baby) and Capathia Jenkins (Caroline, or Change) and celebrating the centennial of Johnny Mercer’s birth. The evening also features performances by Tony Award-nominated composer/ lyricist Craig Carnelia, Tony Award-winning composer/performer Lin-Manuel Miranda and Grammy Award-winning Nashville singer/songwriter Lari White, as well as talented young songwriters participating in the Mercer Songwriters Project. The program will be directed by Northwestern’s own, Dominic Missimi.
Tickets: $30 for Festival subscribers, $35 for general public, $10 for full-time students (available day-of show only)
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July 10 - August 2

Visit the Girls vs. Boys site for more information.

July 24 - August 9
Thu-Sat at 8 p.m.
Sun at 2 p.m.
Ethel M. Barber Theater
Book by Michael Stewart
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Music by Charles Strouse
Choreography by Rachel Rockwell
Directed by Dominic Missimi

Set in the world of soda fountains and “getting pinned,” Elvis and The Ed Sullivan Show, this Tony Award-winning musical turns a small town upside down when the hip-thrusting superstar Conrad Birdie comes to Sweet Apple Ohio to give “one last kiss” before induction into the army. Filled with classic songs like “Put on a Happy Face” and “The Telephone Hour,” this beloved American musical is a hilarious send-up of 1950s culture and the way that parents will never understand their crazy “kids.” Originally starring Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera, Bye Bye Birdie took Broadway by storm in the 1960s and has since become an exhilarating mainstay of stages around the world.
Tickets: $25 for general public; $22 for seniors (over 65), NU faculty/staff, educators/administrators; $10 full-time students
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August 3 - 4 (sold out!) & August 17 (newly added!)
Mon-Tue at 8 p.m.
Ethel M. Barber Theater
Featuring Hollis Resnick, Alene Robertson and Paula Scrofano
Directed by Dominic Missimi

Two exclusive evenings of song, featuring Chicago's hottest music theatre divas—Hollis Resnik, Alene Robertson and Paula Scrofano. Don't miss this unforgettable evening, also featuring the Jeff Award-winning Northwestern alumnus and music director Doug Peck.
Tickets: $35 for general public; $27 for seniors (over 65), NU faculty/staff, educators/administrators; $10 full-time students
Purchase Tickets Online

2009 Summer Preview! - almost sold out!
Thursday, June 11, 4 p.m.
Josephine Louis Theater

Join us for a kick-off celebration of our 2009 Summer Music Theatre Festival! Our guests will enjoy a sneak preview of songs from Festival productions—including the newest American Music Theatre Project musical Girls vs. Boys and the classic Broadway favorite Bye Bye Birdie—as well as an opportunity to meet directors Nathan Allen and Dominic Missimi and learn more about the shows in our 2009 summer season. The event will feature a catered reception and reservations are recommended. THIS EVENT IS NEARLY SOLD OUT! Reservations are recommended through the TIC Box Office at 847-491-7282.

Subscribers only! – Join us for the ultimate backstage experience
The first reading of a new musical by Sheldon Harnick
The Doctor in Spite of Himself
Saturday, August 8, 2 p.m.
Ethel M. Barber Theater
Part of the American Music Theatre Project OutLOUD Series.

Our 2008/09 Festival subscribers are invited to a closed reading of Tony Award-winning composer Sheldon Harnick's newest musical, an adaptation of Moliere's comedy, The Doctor in Spite of Himself. Composed and adapted by Harnick, who wrote the lyrics to some of Broadway's most memorable classics like Fiddler on the Roof, only subscribers may join us in the rehearsal room with Sheldon Harnick and students from our Summer Music Theatre Festival company for the first reading of a new work by one of Broadway's legendary artists and Northwestern's most illustrious alumni. The piece is based on Moliere’s “Le Medecin malgre lui” by Moliere with a book by J.B. Poquelin. Capactiy is limited, so place your reservation with your subscription order through the TIC Box Office at 847-491-7282.