Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 35th Anniversary Season of Big Stories, Up Close. Both the MainStage and KidSeries seasons celebrate Lifeline’s milestone 35th Anniversary with one world premiere production by a long-time Lifeline mainstay, a world premiere by one of the company’s newest ensemble members, and the return of one of the most popular hits of the past decade.
SYLVESTER: OF THE WICKED UNCLE
A world premiere based on the novel by Georgette Heyer
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Christina Calvit
Directed by Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director, Dorothy Milne
Sylvester, Duke of Salford, was born with wealth and good looks, but a life of privilege has rendered him unfeeling towards others. Phoebe Marlow was graced with a sparkling wit and independent spirit, but languishes under the thumb of her domineering stepmother. When this mismatched couple is thrust together by their meddling families, both rebel and their tidy little worlds spin into chaos. Midnight flights, desperate sea voyages, and scathing society hijinks ensue as these unlikely lovers labor to avoid their fate.
When:
September 21th – October 29th, 2017
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Sundays at 4:00pm
Tickets:
Regular, $40
ANNA KARENINA
Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Robert Kauzlaric
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
Richard Mayhew commits an act of kindness on the streets of London and finds himself trapped in a shadow world beneath the city. Lady Door returns home one day to find her family slain and her life upended. Drawn together by fate – and forces more powerful than they can guess – these two must brave countless trials, uncover the truth behind a dark conspiracy, and face the indomitable Great Beast before they can set things right again. Journey to London Below with a rogues’ gallery of liars, outcasts, and assassins, on a treacherous quest to awaken the hero within, in a new production of Lifeline’s hit adaptation of the 1996 novel by Neil Gaiman.
When:
May 25th– July 15th, 2018
Previews:
Fridays, May 25th and June 1st at 7:30pm
Saturdays, May 26th and June 2nd at 8:00pm
Sundays, May 27th and June 3rd at 4:00pm
Regular Run:
June 6th – July 15th
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Sundays at 4:00pm
Ticket:
Regular, $40
Preview, $20
NEVERWHERE
Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Robert Kauzlaric
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
Richard Mayhew commits an act of kindness on the streets of London and finds himself trapped in a shadow world beneath the city. Lady Door returns home one day to find her family slain and her life upended. Drawn together by fate – and forces more powerful than they can guess – these two must brave countless trials, uncover the truth behind a dark conspiracy, and face the indomitable Great Beast before they can set things right again. Journey to London Below with a rogues’ gallery of liars, outcasts, and assassins, on a treacherous quest to awaken the hero within, in a new production of Lifeline’s hit adaptation of the 1996 novel by Neil Gaiman.
When:
May 25th – July 15th, 2018
Previews:
Fridays, May 25th and June 1st at 7:30pm
Saturdays, May 26th and June 2nd at 8:00pm
Sundays, May 27th and June 3rd at 4:00pm
Regular Run:
June 6th – July 15th
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
Sundays at 4:00pm
Tickets:
Regular, $40
Preview, $20
ARNIE THE DOUGHNUT
Based on the book by Laurie Keller
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Frances Limoncelli
Music and Lyrics by George Howe
Directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Elise Kauzlaric
Arnie, a loveable chocolate-frosted, rainbow-sprinkled doughnut, is the happiest pastry in the bakery when he’s chosen to be taken home by a new owner. But when mild-mannered Mr. Bing tries to eat the unsuspecting Arnie, both are in for the surprise of their lives. Man and doughnut are drawn into a sugar-fueled existential crisis as they work to redefine their relationship while trying to outwit the meddlesome President of the Cozy Confines Condo Community.
When:
October 21st– November 26th, 2017
Previews:
Saturday, October 21st at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Sunday, October 22nd at 11:00am
Regular Run:
October 28th – November 26th, 2017
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Tickets:
$15
MONTAUCIEL TAKES FLIGHT
A world premiere musical inspired by true events
Book by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member James E. Grote
Music and Lyrics by Russell Coutinho
Directed by Aileen McGroddy
Montauciel’s name may mean “climb-to-the-sky,” but for all her life the young ewe has been stuck on the ground. Then one day, her adventurous spirit carries her to the town of Annonay, where she teams up with the legendary Montgolfier brothers. Bringing her ingenuity and love of science to bear, Montauciel helps the two scientists invent the hot air balloon, and she soon finds herself captaining the first “manned” test flight, with a duck and a rooster as trusty co-pilots. Take a leap into the unknown and realize your full potential with this world premiere musical inspired by the story of the first living creatures to take to the skies in a human-made flying machine.
When:
January 13th – February 18th, 2018
Previews:
Saturday, January 13th at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Sunday, January 14th at 11:00am
Regular Run:
January 20th – February 18th, 2018
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Tickets:
$15
YOU THINK IT’S EASY BEING THE TOOTH FAIRY?
A world premiere musical based on the book by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt; illustrated by David Slonim
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble members, Heather Currie and Derek Czaplewski
Music and Lyrics by Laura McKenzie
Directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member, Heather Currie
Dew Drop just got her dream assignment: becoming the next Tooth Fairy. But after a botched first mission, she discovers there’s more to her new job than simply being sparkly; it’s going to take guts, skill, and a whole lot of training to succeed. Working closely with her mentor – and a flashy flock of firefly assistants – Dew Drop must learn the rules of Command Central, master “Tooth-o-Finder” technology, and bench press mountains of quarters before she’ll be ready to fly on her own. Tackle a new challenge and learn what it takes to succeed in the fast-paced tooth collection industry with this world premiere musical based on the 2007 book by Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt and David Slonim.
When:
March 17th – April 2nd, 2018
Previews:
Saturday, March 17th at 11:00am and 1:00pm
Sunday, March 18th at 11:00am
Regular Run:
March 24th – April 22nd, 2018
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am and 1:00pm
(No performance Easter Sunday, April 1st, 2018)
Tickets:
$15
THE 2017-18 LIFELINE CONCERT READING SERIES
Lifeline continues one of its most beloved traditions with another season of concert readings. This year’s roster features ensemble member Chris Hainsworth’s adaptation of Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett on July 19th, an evening of Edgar Allan Poe stories and poetry on October 31st, and a holiday pairing of ensemble member Jessica Wright Buha’s adaptation of A Child’s Christmas in Wales by Dylan Thomas, and a reading of A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote (read with permission of the Truman Capote Literary Trust) on December 9th. All readings will feature numerous Lifeline ensemble actors and returning favorites.
Each evening begins at 6:00pm with a light supper plus wine and beer (plus conversation with the cast and Lifeline ensemble). At 7:00pm, the performances start. (Script times vary, but are approximately two to two-and-a-half hours in length.) Conversation with the ensemble will follow, and coffee and dessert will be served afterwards.
Only 108 tickets will be sold for each performance. Tickets can only be ordered by calling the Lifeline Box Office at 773- 761-4477.
When:
MONSTROUS REGIMENT on Wednesday, July 19th, 2017
AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLAN POE on Tuesday, October 31st, 2017
A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES and A CHRISTMAS MEMORY on Saturday, December 9th, 2017
Tickets:
$75 for each performance; $50 for Lifeline subscribers
THE 21st ANNUAL FILLET OF SOLO FESTIVAL
Celebrating the breadth of Chicago’s enduring storytelling and live lit scene, Lifeline brings together numerous solo performers and more than a dozen storytelling collectives for a three-week, multi-venue selection of powerful personal stories.
Participants, locations, scheduling, and full details for the 2018 Fillet of Solo Festival will be announced Fall 2017.
When:
January 12th – 28th, 2018
Tickets:
$10 per performance; Festival Pass: $50
Where:
Lifeline Theatre
6912 N. Glenwood Avenue
Chicago, IL 60626
Season subscriptions and single tickets for the 2017-2018 MainStage and KidSeries seasons are on sale now. To purchase season subscriptions, single tickets or for more information, call the Lifeline Theatre Box Office at 773-761-4477, or visit the Lifeline Theatre Website.
