Northlight Theatre's Board of Directors proudly presents Northlight Theatre's Grand Opening Gala, "Celebrating our Past, Building our Future," marking the culmination of the company's 50th Anniversary Season and the beginning of a new era in Evanston. The Grand Opening benefit event will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Northlight Theatre, 1012 Church Street in Evanston, IL. Supporters and friends will enjoy an evening of food, fun, entertainment and more at Northlight's brand-new home in Evanston.
Musical entertainment will be by celebrated performers and Evanston natives Abby Mueller (Grammy nominee, Six: The Musical), Andrew Mueller (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller (Waitress and Beautiful) and Matt Mueller (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), with music direction by Northwestern University alumnus Ian Weinberger (Hamilton, Chess). The Gala evening's Master of Ceremonies is Rob Lindley and the auctioneer is Chris Hensley.
The evening on August 15 will kick off at 6:00pm with appetizers and cocktails in the lobby and food stations throughout the building. At 8:00pm guests will enter the brand-new 287-seat theatre for musical entertainment by siblings Abby, Andrew, Jessie, and Matt Mueller, accompanied by Ian Weinberger. These five born and bred Evanstonians have gone on to regional, national, and Broadway acclaim, and are coming home to Evanston for a rare joint appearance. The evening will continue with a live auction and paddle raise, followed by dessert, DJ and dancing in the second-floor rehearsal room.
The building's ribbon cutting will be held on July 28, 2026. The inaugural season in Evanston will begin on September 9, 2026, with the world premiere of The Front Page, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher from the original by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The production, directed by Artistic Director BJ Jones and featuring Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane, runs September 9 - October 18, 2026 with the opening set for Friday, September 18, 2026.
Northlight Theatre's new theater, education, and community space is a major component in the arts and cultural scene in Chicagoland and the North Shore and features 287 comfortable seats with excellent sight lines, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a dedicated box office and contemporary bar in the lobby, a second floor rehearsal and event space, and lounge and gathering areas on the first and second floors. Located in the heart of downtown, with easy, nearby access to parking and public transportation via CTA and Metra, Northlight will contribute to a vibrant local economy and will serve as an economic driver for downtown Evanston.
Artistic Director BJ Jones comments, "Opening our brand-new theatre in our founding hometown is a truly special moment. I cannot begin to list the artists, ticket buyers and donors who, over 50 years, delivered us to this moment. In their honor, we celebrate this special evening by sharing the outstanding, homegrown talent of the Muellers and the joy of welcoming our nearest and dearest supporters to our new stage.
Executive Director Timothy J. Evans adds, "After five decades, Northlight Theatre finally has a home of its own. A home in the heart of a revitalized downtown Evanston entertainment district steps from public transportation, parking, restaurants, shops, and Northwestern University. Our long-awaited homecoming to Evanston will transform the theatre landscape on the North Shore and Chicago. The New Northlight will serve as a vital place for exchanging ideas, storytelling, community gathering and a long-needed cultural hub for the many communities we serve. We can't wait to share it."
Proceeds from the event will benefit Northlight Theatre's powerful work onstage, extensive youth education programs, and meaningful community partnerships, as well as the Arts for Everyone Free Ticket program which breaks down the barriers to accessing theatre starting with the price of a ticket.
Tickets are $500. Corporate and individual sponsorships are also available at levels from $5000 to $25,000. Tickets are available for purchase at northlight.org/gala. To inquire about sponsorships, contact Northlight Theatre at 847.563.8458.
The Gala Chair is Stacy Hetherington Simpson. The Gala Committee is Candace Corr, Timothy J. Evans, Sandra Farrow, Barb Goodman, Kim Hoopingarner, Abigail Kanes, Mikey Laird, Barbara Liss, Trimmy Stamell, and Nina Uziel-Miller.
The Northlight Board of Trustees is: Robert J. Regan, Chair; Julie Chernoff, Senior Vice-Chair; Donna Frett, Vice-Chair; Tobi Laczkowski, Vice-Chair; Paul Epner, Treasurer; Paul Lehner, Secretary; and Jim Allen, Percy Berger, Carole Cahill, Hamilton Chang, Jennifer W. Christensen, Diana Cohen, Northlight Theatre Executive Director Timothy Evans, Sandra H. Farrow, J. Douglas Gray, Freddi Greenberg, Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones, Barbara Liss, Dennis Marino, Mark McCarville, Joanell McKenna, Vasu Modekurti, Meghan Otis, Brenton Rogers, Michele Y. Rogers, Reetu Gowdar Sanders, Bob Silverman, Stacy Hetherington Simpson, Craig Smith, Kent Swanson, Nina Uziel-Miller, Dr. Eric Witherspoon, and Gifford Zimmerman.
Gala Sponsors to date are Premier Level: Bulley & Andrews, Tom Stringer Design Partners; Gold Level: Hagerty, Sloan; Silver Level: Endeavor Health, Exelon, Kirkland & Ellis, LionBird; Bronze Level: Byline Bank, CoBank, Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Grumman|Butkus Associates, Katten, Mabadi Group, Northwestern University Neighborhood and Community Relations, Quarles, UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement; Special Event Sponsors: Edward Jones, Golub & Company, GreenState Credit Union, John J. Cahill Inc, Mather, Nature's Perspective Landscaping, Romano Wealth Management, Rotary International, Schuler Shook, Trulee Evanston; and Individual Sponsors: Ann & Brian Balusek, Marcia Caulkins, Paul Lehman and Ronna Stamm, The Martel Family, Mark McCarville, Joanell and Jim McKenna, The Lloyd Morgan Family, Judy Newton, Sam and Marianne Oliva, Eleanor and William Revelle, Catherine and Bart Rocca, Ingrid and Bill Stafford, and Anne and Greg Taubeneck.
About the Artists
Abby Mueller (Performer) garnered a Drama Desk Award and Grammy nomination for originating the role of Jane Seymour in the Tony Award-winning hit Six: The Musical on Broadway. She can be heard on the landmark Original Broadway Cast Recording Six: Live on Opening Night. After originating the role of Carole for the First National Tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Abby was brought back twice to reprise her critically acclaimed performance on Broadway. Other credits include Kinky Boots on Broadway and extensive regional roles. Favorites include Les Misérables (Fantine), The Last 5 Years (Cathy), My Fair Lady (Eliza Doolittle), Miss Saigon (Ellen), The Three Musketeers (Constance), and 1776 (Abigail Adams). TV: The Equalizer, Evil, America's Got Talent, The Today Show, The View, Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon. In addition to working with young people through masterclasses and private coaching, Abby enjoys performing her own cabaret concerts and being a guest vocalist with symphonies and arts organizations across the country. Check out her Broadway.com Vlog "Yas, Queen!" on YouTube, and follow Abby on social media @abcmuell!
Andrew Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston native and has watched his family on many a stage over the years. Chicago credits include: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Jeff Award) and Little Shop of Horrors at Marriott Lincolnshire, Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Translations, and Leopoldstadt at Writers Theatre, and Jesus Christ Superstar at Lyric Opera. Off-Broadway: Peter and the Starcatcher and Alice By Heart. With his brother, Matt: Man of La Mancha at Marriott and Peter and the Starcatcher at Drury Lane Oakbrook. With his sister, Jessie: Merrily We Roll Along at Music Theatre Co. With his sister, Abby: a handful of concerts. He has been a fan of his siblings for many years now and might be the reason Ian got tangled up in this whole situation. And he is thrilled for Northlight to bring live theater back to Evanston.
Jessie Mueller (Performer) is an Evanston-born Tony and Grammy Award-winning artist. She was last seen on Broadway in Tracy Lett's The Minutes. Other recent credits include the Kennedy Center's Guys & Dolls, The Music Man, Julie Jordan in the Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel (Tony & Grammy nominations, Drama Desk Award), originating the roles of both Jenna in Waitress (Tony, DD & Grammy noms) and Carole King in Beautiful-The Carole King Musical (Tony, Grammy & DD Awards.) Concert appearances include Carnegie Hall, Chicago's Lyric Opera, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Opera. Film and Television: Steven Spielberg's The Post, A Good Person, Madam Secretary, Blue Bloods, Hulu's Candy, and Lifetime's Patsy & Loretta. She can be heard on Netflix' Centaurworld and Wondery's Melon's House Party. New studio recordings include My Heart Says Go and Diary of A Wimpy Kid, The Musical. She is an Arts Education champion for groups such as Rosie's Theatre Kids (rosiestheaterkids.org) and a long-time supporter of The Entertainment Community Fund (entertainmentcommunity.org), Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids (broadwaycares.org), and Chicago's own Season of Concern (seasonofconcern.org). In her spare time, she enjoys singing with these 3 goofballs and playing her favorite role to date: Mom to Ollie! She is so excited to have live theatre back here in her home town!
Matt Mueller (Performer) Broadway: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley. Tour: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Ron Weasley, The Play That Goes Wrong – Chicago. Regional: Once (Writers Theatre), Taming of the Shrew, Julius Caesar, Merry Wives (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Man of La Mancha (Marriott Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Drury Lane Theatre), Shining Lives (Northlight Theatre), Shakespeare in Love, Rhinoceros, Hero: the Musical (Asolo Repertory Theatre), Dial "M" for Murder (Indiana Repertory Theatre), The Mousetrap (Milwaukee Rep), Peter and the Starcatcher, Sense & Sensibility (Lyric Repertory Company), multiple productions at Utah Shakespeare Festival, Colorado Shakespeare Festival and Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company, and multiple productions of Woody Guthrie's American Song. Television includes: "Chicago Justice" Film includes: Popper Baxton's Sickly Stew.
Rob Lindley (Master of Ceremonies) Northlight audiences may know Rob's work from directing 2024's 2 Pianos 4 Hands and the Jeff Award-Winning hit Songs for Nobodies (2021) and appearing onstage in Andy Warhol in Iran and in Funnyman. Other acting credits include shows at Court Theatre, Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane Oakbrook, Writers, Victory Garden, and About Face. Rob also appeared in Titanique (Broadway in Chicago/Porchlight) and in the National Tour of Phantom of the Opera. Rob has hosted and curated concerts for many Chicago organizations and theatres, most notably The Chicago Humanities Festival and Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the (Queer) Sacred Space Salon each month at Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church.
Ian Weinberger is the music director of Chess on Broadway. His other Broadway credits as music director and/or pianist include Hamilton, Freestyle Love Supreme, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Side Show, Rocky the Musical and Chaplin. Orchestrations/arrangements: Titanic, Disney's Zootopia and Moana Jr. Concerts: Orchestra of St. Luke's, Louisiana Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony. TV: Fosse/Verdon, The Eyes of the World, American Heart in WWI, The Tony Awards. Cast albums: Chess, A New Brain, The Christmas Schooner, The Theory of Relativity. He is a proud Evanston native and graduate of Northwestern University (music education/percussion performance) and NYU (jazz piano).
Chris Hensley (Auctioneer) is a nationally recognized, award-winning benefit auctioneer who helps nonprofit organizations turn generosity into lasting impact. Chris partners with charities across the country, leading high-energy live auctions and paddle raises that inspire giving. In 2025, Chris helped raise more than $30 million – and set a charity auction record with the sale of a Dale Chihuly Basket Series glass bowl. Chris was recently recognized as the nation's second-best charity auctioneer in the Bid Masters Finale, earning the top distinction for most funds raised among an elite field of peers.
Northlight Theatre aspires to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion by exploring the depth of our humanity across a bold spectrum of theatrical experiences, reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.
Founded in 1974 with its inaugural season in 1975-76, the organization has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight has earned 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 37 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. As one of the area's premier theatre companies, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality.
Northlight is supported in part by generous contributions from BMO Harris Bank; Bulley & Andrews; Byline Bank; ComEd, An Exelon Company; Dr. Scholl Foundation; Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Inc.; The Field Foundation of Illinois; Full Circle Foundation; Grumman Butkus Associates; Hagerty Consulting; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; John R Halligan Charitable Fund; LionBird; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Mabadi Realty; Mammel Family Foundation; Modestus Bauer Foundation; Northwestern University; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Pritzker Foundation; The Schubert Foundation, Inc.; The Sullivan Family Foundation; The Weatherlow Foundation; Tom Stringer Design Partners.
