Lifeline Announces 09-10 Season Of BIG STORIES, UP CLOSE

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2009-2010, 27th anniversary season of presenting Big Stories, Up Close. In its award-winning and audience-acclaimed style, Lifeline's 2009-2010 season will feature five popular books onstage and one original play (four productions written by Lifeline ensemble members). The season will feature sprawling, classic stories as well as stirring, contemporary titles, as Lifeline retains its reputation for fresh, imaginative interpretations of well-loved stories and embraces the challenge and excitement of new, thought-provoking works.

MainStage
"Treasure Island," September 11-November 1, 2009 (opens 9/21/09, 7:30 p.m.)
"Mrs. Caliban," February 5-March 28, 2010 (opens 2/15/10, 7:30 p.m.)
"Neverwhere," April 30-June 20, 2010 (opens 5/10/10, 7:30 p.m.)

KidSeries
"Dooby Dooby Moo," October 17-December 6, 2009 (opens 10/18/09, 1 p.m.)
"The Last of the Dragons," January 2-February 21, 2010 (opens 1/3/10, 1 p.m.)
"The Blue Shadow," March 13-May 2, 2010 (opens 3/14/10, 1 p.m.)

The MainStage season will begin with the classic adventure of "Treasure Island," followed by the post-modern fable, "Mrs. Caliban," and conclude with the dark urban fantasy, "Neverwhere." The KidSeries offerings start with the best-selling story of personal expression, "Dooby Dooby Moo," followed by the classic tale of empowerment, "The Last of the Dragons," and end with a retelling of world folktales in a new musical by Nambi E. Kelley, "The Blue Shadow." CDs of the original cast recordings of "Dooby Dooby Moo," "The Last of the Dragons," and "The Blue Shadow," featuring Lifeline performers, will be on sale in the lobby, in addition to copies of the KidSeries source book for "Dooby Dooby Moo." Cast recordings of previous Lifeline KidSeries hits "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle," "Flight of the Dodo," and "Duck for President" will be available as well. Each season, Lifeline offers three "Stories Come Alive" series at the Chicago Public Library's Rogers Park Branch. These free events feature read-alouds and story theatre performances from a KidSeries book with interactive drama games for children ages 3-10.

For more information, or to purchase tickets and subscriptions, call the Lifeline Box Office at
773-761-4477, or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com Season subscriptions go on sale April 1, and offer the three MainStage productions for $75; and the three KidSeries plays for $27. Lifeline Theatre is known for specializing in original literary adaptations, and its ensemble of artists uses imaginative, unconventional staging to portray sprawling stories in an intimate space. Lifeline is committed to promoting the arts in its Rogers Park neighborhood and is an anchor of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District, aspiring to create art that is relevant to the culturally diverse, increasingly youthful neighborhood.

Being a Lifeline subscriber allows patrons to save up to 25% off regular ticket prices; offers discounts on additional tickets for friends and family; gives first choice of seats with unlimited free ticket exchanges (and includes reminder cards for shows selected, plus a reminder call a few days before the reservation); knocks 25% off party room rental for audience pre- or post-show events; and offers invitations to subscriber events such as sneak peeks of the rehearsal process, book discussions with the creative team, and author events (previous writers have included Ron Hansen, Adam Langer, Daniel Mason, Sara Paretsky, and Donald Westlake).

Regular single MainStage tickets are $30; seniors/groups (12 or more) are $25; previews are $20; and students (with ID) and rush tickets (half-hour before show, subject to availability) are $15. Lifeline's KidSeries single tickets for adults and kids are $12 each; and groups of 15 or more are $9 each. Pay-what-you-can 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 and for any other Lifeline activity, 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 MainStage performance and make loops back to the lot immediately after each MainStage 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.

Founded in 1982, Lifeline is known for staging innovative adaptations of great works of fiction as well as commissioning original work. In 1987, Lifeline added KidSeries plays for children and families, and has been producing full seasons of programming for both adults and children ever since. Lifeline Theatre's programs are partially supported by The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund; Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund; The Chicago Community Trust; CityArts 3 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Grover Hermann Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; Meyer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation; Polk Bros. Foundation; S&C Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

MainStage Productions

"Treasure Island," a world premiere based on the classic adventure by Robert Louis Stevenson
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member John Hildreth
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric
September 11-November 1, 2009
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 9/11 and 9/18 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9/12 and 9/19 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 9/13 and 9/20 at 4 p.m.

Press Opening: Monday, 9/21 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview on 9/20 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 9/25 - 11/1/09: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

A treasure map discovered in a dead pirate's sea-chest leads young Jim Hawkins on an expedition across the ocean to recover a fortune in plundered gold. Fair winds and favorable seas soon give way to mutiny, greed and the evil machinations of a one-legged scoundrel named Long John Silver. Join Jim on an unforgettable adventure to Skeleton Island, as he fights for his life - and the lives of his friends - in this legendary tale of piracy and heroism. By the award-winning adaptor of "Johnny Tremain."

"Mrs. Caliban," a world premiere based on the post-modern fable by Rachel Ingalls
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Frances Limoncelli
Directed by Ann Boyd
February 5-March 28, 2010
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 2/5 and 2/12 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2/6 and 2/13 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2/7 and 2/14
at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, 2/15 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview, 2/14 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 2/19 - 3/28/10: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Dorothy is locked in a lifeless marriage of empty domestic ritual until a fugitive Reptile-man from another world arrives on her doorstep. With him, she finds forbidden love and experiences a rebirth of her spirit, even as her grasp on reality falters. Travel with Dorothy through the fragile pathways of the human psyche as she dares to live - and love - unconventionally, in this remarkable story acclaimed as one of the greatest post-war American novels. By the award-winning adaptor of "Gaudy Night."

"Neverwhere," a world premiere based on the urban fantasy by Neil Gaiman
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist
April 30-June 20, 2010
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 4/30 and 5/7 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 5/1 and 5/8 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 5/2 and 5/9
at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, 5/10 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview, 5/9 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 5/14 - 6/20: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

When Richard Mayhew stops to care for an injured girl on the street, he is drawn into a nightmare shadow world beneath the city of London. To return to his normal life, Richard must brave countless trials, uncover the truth behind a dark conspiracy, and face the indomitable Great Beast. Journey to London Below with a rogues' gallery of liars, outcasts and assassins, on a treacherous voyage to awaken the hero within. By the award-winning adaptor and director of "The Island of Dr. Moreau."

KidSeries Productions

"Dooby Dooby Moo," a world premiere musical based on the popular bestseller by Doreen Cronin,
illustrated by Betsy Lewin
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member James E. Grote
Music and lyrics by George Howe
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Shole Milos
October 17-December 6, 2009
All tickets $12
Previews: Saturday, 10/17 at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 10/18 at 11 a.m.
Opening: Sunday, 10/18 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: 10/24 - 12/6: Saturdays at 1 p.m..; Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The County Fair is coming, and the grand prize in the talent competition is a trampoline! Duck wants that prize, but with Farmer Brown watching around every corner, how will he hold singing rehearsals for Cow and Sheep, or dancing practice for Pig? Hop aboard Farmer Brown's truck and travel to the fair with this new musical about sharing your talents and reaching for your dreams, by the same team that brought you "Click, Clack, Moo."

"The Last of the Dragons," a world premiere musical based on the classic fantasy story by Edith Nesbit
Adapted by David Bareford
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Dorothy Milne
January 2-February 21, 2010
All tickets $12
Previews: Saturday, 1/2 at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 1/3 at 11 a.m.
Opening: Sunday, 1/3 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: 1/9 - 2/21: Saturdays at 1 p.m..; Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

In Cornwall, every young princess is given over to a fire-breathing dragon so she can be rescued by a handsome prince. But the feisty young daughter of the current king doesn't want to be rescued by a boy. In secret, she studies fencing and hatches a plan with a mathematically-minded prince to fight the last of the dragons herself! Journey to the heart of the dragon's lair, and learn the meaning of bravery in this rousing musical fantasy for the whole family.

"The Blue Shadow," a retelling of world folktales in a new musical by Nambi E. Kelley
Music by Joe Plummer
Directed by Ilesa Duncan
March 13-May 2, 2010
All tickets $12
Previews: Saturday, 3/13 at 1 p.m.; and Sunday, 3/14 at 11 a.m.
Opening: Sunday, 3/14 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: 3/20 - 5/2: Saturdays at 1 p.m..; Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

A Native American girl named Shadow feels blue because she knows nothing of her heritage. When she brings together four of her neighbors to share their friendship and storytelling traditions, Shadow learns to embrace who she is, and to celebrate the beauty of all cultures. Explore a whole world of mythology in this new musical filled with folklore, laughter, and multi-lingual song, by award-winning playwright Nambi E. Kelley.

 

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