Lifeline Theatre Presents Three New Plays

Lifeline Theatre inaugurates its 26th anniversary MainStage season with the world premiere adaptation of Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray," adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, directed by Kevin Theis.   What would you do if you had the freedom to indulge your every dark desire? A supernatural power grants Dorian Gray eternal youth and beauty.  As the years pass and his outward form remains unmarred, his soul wallows in pride and sin, dragging the lives of everyone he touches into the depths of depravity.  Oscar Wilde's tragic masterpiece reveals that even the bravest among us are afraid to face what lies within.  The show runs approximately two hours with one intermission, and copies of the book will be on sale in the lobby.  On June 9, Lifeline received five Non-Equity Jeff Awards – the most for a single production - from nine nominations for "The Island of Dr. Moreau."

Press opening on Monday, September 22, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. and closes on November 2, 2008.

Lifeline Theatre remounts their Jeff-recommended, hit production of "The Mark of Zorro" at Theatre Building Chicago, adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Katie McLean, based on the book by Johnston McCulley, directed by Lifeline artistic director Dorothy Milne.  Discover the original Zorro. His identity is a mystery, but his heroism and sense of justice are as real as his love for the beautiful Lolita. But if he is to save her from ruin, he must inspire the town's privileged young caballeros to join him in his fight against corruption. Filled with sword-fighting thrills, this adventurous caper will captivate us with its tale of legendary heroism, and inspire us to act in the face of injustice. The show runs about two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission.

Theatre Artistic Director and production director Dorothy Milne said, "'Zorro' has been a big hit for us, but we can't keep it going at Lifeline since have to soon open our 26th season with 'The Picture of Dorian Gray.'  We're looking forward to sharing a Lifeline show with our Lakeview neighbors; giving new audiences a chance to see the type of work we've been presenting in Rogers Park.  The universality of Zorro's appeal makes this a perfect production to bring to a bigger stage, and while we often receive accolades for cramming a lot of action onto an intimate stage ('Big Stories, Up Close'), we're excited to bring our sweeping stories (and swords) to Theatre Building Chicago."  This transfer is another success in Lifeline's quarter century season, after garnering five Jeff Awards (the most for a single production) from nine nominations for "The Island of Dr. Moreau," plus re-mounting their hit kids' musical "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" for a summer run.   

Opens Saturday, September 27, 2008, 8 p.m.  and closes November 23, 2008.

Lifeline Theatre KidSeries presents the world premiere musical adaptation "Duck for President," showing both the heady and headachey sides of politics just in time for the election, based on the popular bestseller by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin, adapted by ensemble member James E. Grote, music and lyrics by George Howe, and directed by ensemble member Shole Milos (the same team that brought the recent kids' hit "Click, Clack, Moo").  Just who put Farmer Brown in charge, anyway? Isn't it time an intelligent and handsome young duck ran for office? And once he's running the farm, it's just a few short steps until he's running the country!  This production is appropriate for children ages five to ten, and runs about one hour with no intermission.  Books on sale in the lobby.

Author Cronin and illustrator Lewis will be at the October 12th opening for meet-and-greet and book signings, from 12 noon-1 p.m. (free) – the book and cast recording CDs will be on sale in the lobby.

Press opening Sunday, October 12, 2008, at 1 p.m. and closes November 30, 2008.

                      

Now in its 26th season, Lifeline Theatre is known for specializing in original literary adaptations. 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.  We aspire to create art that is relevant to our culturally diverse, increasingly youthful neighborhood.