The opening of Northlight Theatre’s new venue in Evanston is a notable event. Taking the stage is ‘The Front Page’, the 1928 satire by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. The play highlights the unpredictable world of Chicago journalists during a time rich in news stories. Northlight Theatre celebrates this history, infusing the performance with notable Chicago actors to inaugurate their space.
The play is set in the press room of the old Criminal Courts Building, populated by characters inspired by real-life journalists from the City News Bureau. This bureau was a training ground for renowned figures like Mike Royko and Kurt Vonnegut. The play features a variety of characters, including the often-neurotic reporter, a nod to Hecht and MacArthur’s experiences at the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers. The plot might be familiar to fans of the 1940 movie adaptation, ‘His Girl Friday’, featuring Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant.
In the story, reporters gather as they await news of an impending execution. When the convict escapes, star reporter Hildy Johnson and editor Walter Burns scramble to keep their exclusive story. Johnson plans to leave journalism for a more conventional life, but Burns won’t let his best reporter walk away. Notably, director BJ Jones’s production retains the gender swap from the Hollywood version, with Kate Fry and Timothy Edward Kane, a real-life married couple, taking the lead roles.
The adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher emphasizes modern themes, positioning Hildy as a morally upright figure, distancing her from her male peers. While this adds a contemporary layer, some might feel it detracts from the play’s original satirical tone, leaning more towards a character comedy than a sharp critique.
Standout performances include Tim Kazurinsky as the amusingly inept delivery man, alongside Joe Dempsey, Mark David Kaplan, Kelan M. Smith, and others who bring the journalists to life. The set, designed by Jeff Kmiec, enhances the intimate theater experience without losing the close connection with its audience.
The evocative production runs until October 25 at Northlight Theatre in Evanston. Tickets range from $55 to $103, available through their contact line or website. The show pays tribute to the robust spirit and colorful history of Chicago journalism, offering vibrant entertainment and perhaps nostalgia for many attendees.