TimeLine to Present Sarah Treem's THE HOW AND THE WHY, 1/28-4/6

TimeLine Theatre Company continues its 2013-14 season with The How and the Why, a smart and provocative new play about science, family and survival of the fittest by Sarah Treem, the acclaimed writer/producer for Netflix's House of Cards and HBO's In Treatment. The How and the Why will run at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Avenue in Chicago, February 6 - April 6, 2014 (previews January 28 - February 5). Press opening is Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 pm.

Keira Fromm will direct The How and The Why, and TimeLine Company Member Janet Ulrich Brooks and Elizabeth Ledo form the formidable two-person cast for Treem's powerful new play about evolution and ambition. Brooks is a five-time Jeff Award nominee for performances at TimeLine and a recipient of the Jeff Award for Solo Performance for her turn as Golda Meier in Golda's Balcony at Pegasus Players. She most recently was Jeff-nominated for TimeLine's 2012 hit play 33 Variations. Ledo just received the Equity Jeff Award for Supporting Actress for Tartuffe at Court Theatre, and is a two-time Jeff nominee for supporting roles in The Homosexuals at About Face Theatre (where she is an Artistic Associate) and Uncle Vanya at Court. In The How and the Why, two women meet for the first time on the eve of a national conference. Both are brilliant evolutionary biologists who share a zeal for science and a bold, contrarian approach to their male-dominated field-even as the graduate student challenges the established scientist with a radical new theory that may change the way people regard sex. As mysteries unfold about their relationship, the two spar over differing views on evolution, feminism and generational divides in modern America. The New York Times called The How and the Why "a smart, densely textured work about men and women, love and conflict, genes and destiny," and The Washington Post raved that the play "brims with ideas and emotional colors that eddy and refract like rivulets in a lively, plunging stream." "There are not a lot of stories about women-professional, historical, relational and physical-like The How and the Why," adds director Keira Fromm. "It has been called a deeply feminist play, but I see it more as a humanist story told from a female perspective. Women buy the most theater tickets, yet they see themselves the least on stage. Sarah's play is a refreshing change, a smart new look at the idea of work/life balance as a myth, and a timely reminder of how critical it is for women to be strong advocates for one another." Only TimeLine FlexPass Subscribers enjoy priority access to tickets to The How and the Why. FlexPass subscriptions for TimeLine's 2013-14 season are still on sale, priced from $70 to $198. For more information and to purchase tickets, call (773) 281-TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE/EVENTS PREVIEWS: Tuesday, January 28 at 8 p.m.; Wednesday, January 29 at 8 p.m.; Friday, January 31 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 1 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Wednesday, February 5 at 8 p.m. OPENINGS: Press Opening Night on Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night on Friday, February 7 at 7:30 p.m. REGULAR RUN: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (except 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday 3/5), Fridays at 8 p.m. (except no performance on 3/14), Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. (also 6 p.m. on 3/16), through April 6. DISCUSSION EVENTS:

• Post-Show Discussions with the dramaturg and members of the cast on Wednesday, February 12; Sunday, February 23; Thursday, March 6; and Wednesday, March 26.
• Sunday Scholars Panel Discussion, a one-hour post-show discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play, on Sunday, February 16.
• Book Club Discussion, a one-hour pre-show discussion focusing on a book or article related to the themes and issues of the play, on Thursday, February 20.
• Pre-Show Discussion with members of the production team on Sunday, March 23.
• Company Member Discussion, a post-show discussion with the collaborative team of artists who choose TimeLine's programming and guide the company's mission, on Sunday, March 30.

All discussions are free and open to the public. For further details about all planned discussions, visit timelinetheatre.com/how_and_why/events.htm.

BUYING TICKETS Tickets are $35 (Wednesday through Friday), $45 (Saturday) and $48 (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. For more information, visit timelinetheatre.com.

LOCATION/TRANSPORTATION/PARKING The How and the Why will take place at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. TimeLine Theatre is located near the corner of Wellington and Broadway, inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood. The location is served by multiple CTA trains and buses. The LAZ Parking Lot at 3012 N. Broadway is the closest parking and costs $6 for 1-5 hours. TimeLine also offers discounted parking at the Standard Parking garages at Broadway Center ($8 with validation; 2846 N. Broadway, at Surf) or the Century Mall ($9 with validation; 2836 N. Clark). There is also limited free and metered street parking.