NORTHANGER ABBEY, MIDNIGHT COWBOY & More Set for Lifeline Theatre's 2015-16 Season

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2015-2016 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It's a season of six unforgettable world premiere productions - sprawling, classic stories and thrilling modern titles - as Lifeline retains its reputation for fresh, imaginative interpretations of beloved favorites and embraces the challenges of new, thought-provoking works.

The MainStage season of INNOCENCE & AWAKENINGS features the early-20th century British romp, "Miss Buncle's Book," followed by the modern American drama of "Midnight Cowboy," and concludes with a new musical version of Jane Austen's comedic romance, "Northanger Abbey." The KidSeries season of FANCIFUL FAMILIES & FABULOUS FRIENDS features three musical adaptations: the beloved classic, "Mr. Popper's Penguins;" followed by "Sparky!," a delightful modern story about friendship and acceptance; and ending with "Lester's Dreadful Sweaters," a darkly humorous tale of fashion and clowning. Additionally, Lifeline Theatre will produce the 19th annual Fillet of Solo Festival, a three-week, multi-venue solo performance and storytelling festival; and the 2015-16 Concert Reading Series will see the return of The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Shadow, and The Moonstone to the Lifeline stage in a season of murder and mystery.

To purchase season subscriptions, single tickets or for more information call the Lifeline Theatre Box Office at 773-761-4477, or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com.

MainStage

"Miss Buncle's Book," September 11-November 1, 2015 (opens 9/21/15, 7:30 p.m.)

"Midnight Cowboy," February 19-April 10, 2016 (opens 2/29/16, 7:30 p.m.)

"Northanger Abbey," May 27-July 17, 2016 (opens 6/6/16, 7:30 p.m.)

KidSeries

"Mr. Popper's Penguins," October 24-November 29, 2015 (opens 10/25/15, 1 p.m.)

"Sparky!," January 16-February 21, 2016 (opens 1/17/16, 1 p.m.)

"Lester's Dreadful Sweaters," March 19-April 24, 2016 (opens 3/20/16, 1 p.m.)

Plus

The 2015-16 Lifeline Concert Reading Series, October 31, 2015-April 16, 2016

The 19th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, January 15-31, 2016

Season subscriptions offer the three MainStage productions for $80 (a $120 value), or the three KidSeries plays for $30 (a $45 value). Passes to the Fillet of Solo Festival may be added to any subscription for only $25 (a $50 value; allows entry to all performances in the 2016 Festival). Being a Lifeline subscriber allows patrons to save 33% off regular ticket prices; offers discounts on additional tickets and reduced admission to the Concert Reading Series; offers discounts to drama camp registration; gives first choice of seats with unlimited free ticket exchanges; knocks 25% off party room packages for pre- or post-show events; and offers invitations to subscriber events such as Sneak Peeks of the rehearsal process, book discussions, and author events.

Lifeline continues its popular "Book Club Add-ons," which include paperback copies of two of the source books for the MainStage season (Miss Buncle's Book and Northanger Abbey) for $15, or hardcover copies of all three source books for the KidSeries season (Mr. Popper's Penguins, Sparky!, and Lester's Dreadful Sweaters) for $35. Read the books beforehand and then experience Lifeline's adaptation. An additional add-on for KidSeries Subscriptions is admission to a "Stories Come Alive!" Hour during each KidSeries production for only $10 (a $15 value).

Copies of the source books for the MainStage and KidSeries seasons will be on sale in the lobby, as will cast recordings of selected musical productions.

Lifeline Theatre also offers fun and educational programming for children. Lifeline continues its "Stories Come Alive!" series, running Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m., between regularly-scheduled KidSeries performances. These hour-long sessions cost only $5 per child, and feature readings, on-your-feet drama games, and fun to supplement the KidSeries productions. Additionally, Lifeline also offers three "Stories Come Alive!" Library Days at the Rogers Park Branch of the Chicago Public Library (6907 N. Clark St.). These FREE events for children ages 4 and up feature readalongs from a KidSeries book with interactive drama games.

Ticket prices for the 2015-2016 season are as follows: regular single MainStage tickets are $40; seniors and groups (12 or more) are $30; previews, students (with ID) and rush tickets (half-hour before show, subject to availability) are $20. Lifeline's KidSeries single tickets for adults and kids are $15 each; and groups of 15 or more are $10 each.

"Name Your Price" KidSeries tickets are available a half-hour before show time (subject to availability). Lifeline Theatre also offers a full-service party room for on-site, pre- or post-show events.

Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. Lifeline Theatre has a designated parking lot which may be used for all performances, located at the NE corner of Morse and Ravenswood (one block west of Clark Street). Lifeline Theatre's shuttle van will run between the theatre and the parking lot 45 minutes prior to each performance and make loops back to the lot immediately after each performance. Street parking is also available. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, and is located half a block south of the Morse Red Line El train stop.