TimeLine Theater Extends THE FRONT PAGE Thru 7/17

In response to strong ticket demand and with the initial 9-week run already substantially sold out, TimeLine Theatre Company announces a 5-week extension of its critically acclaimed revival of the Chicago classic The Front Page by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur, directed by Nick Bowling. The play, originally scheduled to close on June 12, will now continue through July 17 at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. The production must close on July 17.

Tickets for the extension are available starting today at 12 p.m. online at timelinetheatre.com or via phone by calling the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.TIME (8463).

Performance Schedule

The performance schedule for extension performances (starting June 15) is Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday, July 17, 2011. NOTE: There will be no performance on Sunday, June 26.

The Front Page runs approximately 2 hours 30 minutes, including one intermission.

Buying Tickets

Tickets for extension performances are $32 (Wednesday Friday) or $42 (Saturday & Sunday). Student tickets for extension performances are $10 off regular price, with valid ID. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Advance purchase is strongly recommended as performances are likely to sell out. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773.281.TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

About The Front Page

In this landmark comedy set inside the crowded pressroom at Chicago's Criminal Courts Building during the 1920s, a group of reporters covers a controversial execution and exposes the rampant corruption, scandal and hi-jinx associated with Windy City politics and journalism. In reviving this quintessential Chicago classic, TimeLine highlights the wealth of local history embedded in Hecht and MacArthur's semi-autobiographical script and brings to life the toughness and grittiness inherent in its tale of rough-and-tumble reporters and politicians jockeying for control of a story and the city.

TimeLine's production has been met with acclaim from audiences and critics alike:

Chicago Tribune: "It is a pleasure to see The Front Page, that zesty yarn of hacks, scoops and screwball derring-do, back up in Chicago in a very solid, fast-paced and entertaining production."

WBEZ: "A delicious skewering of Chicago politics and journalism ... TimeLine Theatre does an impeccable job a superlative production."

Talkin' Broadway: "The Front Page is a perfect play for TimeLine's mission and they've delivered what must surely be a near-perfect production of The Front Page."

The 18-member cast of The Front Page features TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers as Hildy Johnson and TimeLine Associate Artist Terry Hamilton as Walter Burns, with Bill McGough, Rob Riley, Larry Baldacci, Don Blair, Angela Bullard, Malcolm Callan, Rob Fagin, Alex Goodrich, John Gray, Michael Kingston, Laurie Larson, Loren Lazerine, Mike McNamara, Mechelle Moe, Bridgette Pechman Clarno and Mark Richard.

The production staff for The Front Page includes Collette Pollard (Scenic Design), Lindsey Pate (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Andrew Hansen (Sound Design), Julia Eberhardt (Properties Design), Aaron Carter (Dramaturg), Ana Espinosa (Stage Manager), Brittainy Barattia (Production Assistant), John Kearns (Productions Manager), Bridget Dehl (Assistant Director), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Dina Spoerl (Lobby Designer), Caleb McAndrew (Technical Director) and Mac Vaughey (Master Electrician).

Sponsor

The Front Page is supported in part by The Pauls Foundation.

Location/Transportation/Parking/Accessibility

TimeLine Theatre is located at 615 W. Wellington Ave., inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, near the corner of Wellington and Broadway in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood. CTA El stops at Wellington (Brown/Purple lines) and Belmont (Red/Brown/Purple lines) are nearby. CTA busses #36-Broadway, #76-Diversey, #77-Belmont, #22-Clark and #8-Halsted stop nearby.

The LAZ Public Parking lot, located 1/2 block north of the theater at 3012 N. Broadway, is available for $6.25 (3-5 hours) or $10 (5-8 hours). TimeLine also offers parking for $8 for up to 6 hours with validation at the Standard Parking garages at Broadway Center (2846 N. Broadway, at Surf) or the Century Mall (2836 N. Clark), both within two blocks of TimeLine. Note that the Broadway Center garage closes at 11 p.m. There is also limited street parking and other paid parking lots nearby. Visit timelinetheatre.com for complete directions and parking information.

There are two flights of stairs totaling 18 steps between the street and the theater, with no elevator.

Audience Resources

An extensive production Study Guide, video previews, events information and many other details are available at timelinetheatre.com/front_page.

About TimeLine Theatre Company

Founded in April 1997, TimeLine Theatre Company's mission is to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. During its first 13 seasons, TimeLine has presented 45 productions, including seven world premieres and 13 Chicago premieres. Recipient of the 2006 Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the 2009 Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 43 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production eight times.

Announced for TimeLine's 2011-12 15th Anniversary season:

A WALK IN THE WOODS by Lee Blessing, directed by Nick Bowling
Chicago premiere of THE PITMEN PAINTERS by Lee Hall, directed by BJ Jones
Chicago premiere of ENRON by Lucy Prebble, directed by Rachel Rockwell
World premiere of MY KIND OF TOWN by John Conroy, directed by Nick Bowling
TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers and Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman. Company members are Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, David Parkes, PJ Powers and Benjamin Thiem. TimeLine is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres, Theatre Communications Group and the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce.