TimeLine Theatre Company Launches 13th Season With ALL MY SONS 8/31-9/4

TimeLine Theatre Company will launch its 13th season with Arthur Miller's classic All My Sons, directed by Kimberly Senior, running August 31 through October 4, 2009 (previews August 27 through August 30). Press Opening performance is Monday, August 31 at 7 p.m.

All My Sons is being performed at an alternate location due to the continuing run of TimeLine's hit production of Alan Bennett's The History Boys at the company's home on Wellington Avenue. Performances of All My Sons will take place at the Greenhouse Theater Center, Downstairs Mainstage, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office at 773.404.7336 or buy online via greenhousetheater.org or timelinetheatre.com.

A landmark classic from the legendary author of Death of a Salesman and The Crucible, this 1947 Tony Award winner returns to the Chicago stage for the first time since an acclaimed Broadway revival last season. In the wake of World War II, a middle-class American family struggles with loss, love and an explosive secret from the past in this powerful drama about business ethics and responsibility. Variety has called All My Sons "a commanding illustration of the power of theater and a searing drama of morality and conscience."

"Arthur Miller's historic tale of family loss after World War II strikes a very contemporary note with its examination of business ethics and a man's responsibility to not just himself, but to his entire community," said TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers. "At a time when trust in many institutions, corporations and prominent leaders has been severely corroded, TimeLine is thrilled to dive into a timely conversation with our audience through this extraordinary play."

The cast of All My Sons features TimeLine Company members Janet Ulrich Brooks (Kate), Juliet Hart (Sue) and PJ Powers (George), with Rebecca Buller (Lydia), John Byrnes (Frank), Erik Hellman (Chris), Roger Mueller (Joe), Mark Richard (Jim) and Cora Vander Broek (Ann).

Performance Schedule/Events

Preview performances are Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29 at 8 p.m. and Sunday August 30 at 7 p.m. All My Sons opens on Monday, August 31 at 7 p.m. and then runs Wednesdays (9/23 and 9/30 only) and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday, October 4, 2009.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS: Free post-show discussions led by a TimeLine Company Member and featuring the production dramaturg and members of the cast on Thursdays, September 3, 10, and 17; Sundays, September 6 and 20; and Wednesday, September 23.

SUNDAY SCHOLARS SERIES: A free hour-long post-show panel discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play on Sunday, September 13.

DISCUSSION WITH TIMELINE COMPANY MEMBERS: Free post-show discussion with TimeLine Company members on Sunday, September 27.

Buying Tickets

Tickets are $25 (Wednesday - Friday) or $35 (Saturday & Sunday). Preview tickets are $15. Student discount is $10 off the regular ticket price with valid ID. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Advance purchase is recommended as performances may sell out. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Greenhouse Theater Center Box Office at 773.404.7336 or buy online via greenhousetheater.org or timelinetheatre.com.

Location/Transportation/Parking/Accessibility

The Greenhouse Theater Center is located 8 blocks south of TimeLine Theatre at 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The CTA El stop at Fullerton (Red/Brown/Purple lines) is nearby. CTA busses #11-Lincoln, #74-Fullerton, #22-Clark, #36-Broadway and #8-Halsted stop nearby. There is limited street parking, but discounted paid parking (with validation) is available nearby. Visit greenhousetheater.org for complete directions and parking information. The Greenhouse Theater Center is accessible to people with disabilities.

Production Staff

The production staff for All My Sons includes Jack Magaw (Scenic Design), Lindsey Pate (Costume Design), Charles Cooper (Lighting Design), Chris Kriz (Sound Design & Original Music), Susana Pelayo (Properties Design), Whitney Dibo (Dramaturg), Ana Espinosa (Stage Manager), James Ogden (Production Manager/Technical Director), Thomas Weitz (Assistant Director), Michael Dutton (Assistant Stage Manager), Kristin Eaves (Wardrobe Supervisor), Mac Vaughey (Master Electrician), Lara Goetsch (Director of Marketing and Communications), Rob Waters and James Keister (Graphic Design), PJ Powers (Artistic Director) and Elizabeth K. Auman (Managing Director).

Biographies

Arthur Miller (Playwright), an American playwright and essayist, has been called one of the greatest dramatists of the 20th Century. A prominent figure in American theatre and cinema for almost 100 years, he wrote scores of plays that are produced and studied widely around the world, including The Crucible, A View from the Bridge, All My Sons, After the Fall, The Price, Incident at Vichy, The American Clock, and his best-known work, Death of a Salesman, for which he received the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. His screenplays include The Misfits, Everybody Wins and the 1995 film adaptation of The Crucible. Miller's life was often full of controversy and the media spotlight, most famously when he refused to give evidence against others to the House Un-American Activities Committee and during his marriage to Marilyn Monroe. He died in 2005, at age 89.

Kimberly Senior (Director) previously directed Dolly West's Kitchen at TimeLine during the 2007-08 season. She is the founder of Collaboraction Theatre Company and an artistic associate with Strawdog Theatre and Next Theatre, where she most recently directed The Overwhelming. Other recent productions include Cherry Orchard at Strawdog, The Busy World is Hushed at Next, the Young Playwrights Festival at Pegasus Players, Eye of the Storm at Adventure Stage Chicago, Narnia at Emerald City Theatre and the world premiere of Feast at Chicago Dramatists. She has directed for Estrogen Fest, Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Shakespeare's Motley Crew, Northlight Theatre, RoadWorks Productions, Northwestern University, College of DuPage, National Louis University and WFMT Radio, among others. Senior is a member of the adjunct faculty at DePaul University and Columbia College Chicago, program director for First Look at Steppenwolf Theatre, and she has taught and/or run programs at Steppenwolf, Court, Northlight, Roadworks and Redmoon theaters, among others.

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 12 seasons, TimeLine has presented 40 productions, including six world premieres and 11 Chicago premieres. Recipient of the 2006 Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the 2008 Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 37 Non-Equity Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production six times. TimeLine's 2009-10 season is presented under contract with Actors Equity Association.

ALSO NOW PLAYING:

The Chicago hit of THE HISTORY BOYS, by Alan Bennett, directed by Nick Bowling, has been extended through September 27 at TimeLine Theatre.
The rest of TimeLine's 2009-10 season will include:

WHEN SHE DANCED, by Martin Sherman, directed by Nick Bowling, November 7 - December 20, 2009 (previews 11/4 - 11/6)
‘MASTER HAROLD' ... AND THE BOYS, by Athol Fugard, directed by Jonathon Wilson, January 23 - March 21, 2010 (previews 1/20 - 1/22)
Chicago premiere of THE FARNSWORTH INVENTION by Aaron Sorkin, directed by Nick Bowling, April 17 - June 13, 2010 (previews 4/14 - 4/16)
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.