TimeLine Will Present the Chicago Premiere of J.T. Rogers' BLOOD AND GIFTS, 5/9-7/28

TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2012-13 season with a play that was named among the Top 10 of 2011 by The New York Times. The Chicago premiere of Blood and Gifts by J.T. Rogers, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling, runs May 9 - July 28, 2013 (previews April 30 - May 8) at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. Press Opening performance is Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets or for more information, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or buy online at timelinetheatre.com.

Blood and Gifts brings together a stellar Chicago cast to tell a gripping behind-the-scenes story of international intrigue in Afghanistan during the pivotal 1980s. The cast, led by Timothy Edward Kane as CIA operative James Warnock, also features Kareem Bandealy, Raymond Fox, Anish Jethmalani, Craig Spidle, Owais Ahmed, Behzad Dabu, TimeLine Associate Artist Terry Hamilton, Josh Odor, TimeLine Company Member David Parkes, Emily Ariel Rogers, Andrew Saenz, Peter Sipla and Don Tieri. After June 9, Jethmalani takes over the role previously portrayed by Bandealy, and Demetrios Troy joins the cast in the role previously portrayed by Jethmalani.

This spy thriller goes deep inside the secret United States intrigue that powered the Soviet-Afghan War of the 1980s. A CIA operative struggles against conditions on the ground and politics in the halls of Washington to stop the Soviet Army's destruction of Afghanistan. As alliances shift and the outcome of the Cold War appears to hang in the balance, he and an Afghan warlord find that the only one they can trust is each other. This bold new play unmasks the actions of men behind one of recent history's most important events-the repercussions of which still shape our lives.

Blood and Gifts had its world premiere at The National Theatre of London's Lyttelton Theatre in 2010 and its U.S. premiere at Lincoln Center Theater in 2011. The New York Times raved that the play "has the taut grip of a spy novel ... [Playwright J.T. Rogers'] knowledge of the hearts and minds of his characters is as deep as his grasp of the geopolitical games being played."

"TimeLine is excited to bring J.T. Rogers' provocative and insightful play to Chicago for the first time," Artistic Director PJ Powers said. "Since reading his play about Rwanda, The Overwhelming, in 2008, we have admired J.T.'s bold international playwriting scope and were determined to bring his work to TimeLine. Building a relationship over the last five years has been an honor and a pleasure, as our mutual admiration for each other's work has grown. We were thrilled when he shared the script for Blood and Gifts with us and said that he thought TimeLine would be a great home for it. We hope this is the first of many collaborations together."

Blood and Gifts is supported in part by The Pauls Foundation. Additional support provided by The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE/EVENTS

PREVIEWS: Tuesday, April 30; Wednesday, May 1; Friday, May 3; and Saturday, May 4 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, May 8 at 8 p.m.

OPENINGS: Press Opening on Thursday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Opening Night on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

REGULAR RUN: Wednesdays 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. (except no performance on June 30) through July 28, 2013.

POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS: Free post-show discussions led by a TimeLine Company Member, featuring the production dramaturg and members of the cast, will be held on Wednesday, May 15; Thursday, May 23; Wednesday, May 29; Thursday, May 30; Sunday, June 2; Thursday, June 6; Thursday, June 13; Wednesday, June 19; Wednesday, June 26; and Sunday, July 7, 2013.

SUNDAY SCHOLAR SERIES: A free hour-long post-show panel discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play will be held on Sunday, June 9, 2013.

COMPANY MEMBER DISCUSSION: A free post-show discussion with TimeLine Company members will be held on Sunday, June 23, 2013.

BUYING TICKETS

Tickets are $32 (Wednesday through Friday) or $42 (Saturday and Sunday). Preview tickets are $22. Student discount is $10 off the regular ticket price with valid ID. Special 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 TimeLine Theatre Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or buy online at timelinetheatre.com.