Cowgirls, the country music musical comedy, closes Jan. 3, 1999 at Skokie, IL's Northlight Theatre. The show opened Dec. 9 after beginning previews Dec. 2.

Written by Betsy Howie (Yours, Truly and The Bridal Fit) with music and lyrics by Mary Murfitt (Oil City Symphony), Cowgirls is really about the Coghill Trio, who are mistakenly booked to perform at a country western bar's grand opening when their name is read as the Cowgirls Trio. The Coghill ladies are, unfortunately, a classical music group, but they learn quickly how to bridge the musical gap between country and classical.

Cowgirls played Off Broadway in 1994 running for 319 performances and 16 previews at the Minetta Lane Theatre as well as having been performed by San Diego's Old Globe Theatre, the Berkshire Theatre Festival and Florida Studio Theatre.

Apple Tree Theatre's co-artistic director Gary Griffin (the Chicago and upcoming Off Broadway production of Beautiful Thing) directs Dawn Bach (Mary Lou), Cynthia M. Cobb (Lee), Nancy Voigts (Rita) as the trio, Off-Broadway cast original Rhonda Coullet as Jo, Cristine Cloutier (Mickey) and Jane Baxter Miller (Mo) as Jo's barkeeps.

Amy Abler musical directs. Shannon McKinney designed the lighting, Todd Rosenthal the sets and Shifra Werch the costumes. Rebecca Green stage manages. For tickets ($36-$26), call the Northlight Theatre at 847-673-6300. The Northlight is located at 9501 Skokie Boulevard.

-- By Christine Ehren