Photo Flash: Busman's Honeymoon At Lifeline Theatre

By: Gabrielle Sierra May. 07, 2009

Lifeline Theatre concludes its 26th anniversary MainStage season with the world
premiere adaptation of Dorothy L. Sayers' "Busman's Honeymoon," adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Frances Limoncelli, and directed by Lifeline ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist. Wedding bells have finally rung for amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey and novelist Harriet Vane. But their quiet, country honeymoon becomes a farce full of eccentric locals, exploding chimneys and even a body found in the wine cellar. This inauspicious beginning begs the question - when life gets in the way, can love persevere? Lifeline ensemble members Peter Greenberg and Jenifer Tyler reprise their roles as Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane in this sequel to "Gaudy Night," which premiered at Lifeline Theatre in 2006. The show runs about two and a half hours with one intermission, and copies of the book will be on sale in the lobby.

Lifeline has produced three previous world premiere stage adaptations of Sayers' Wimsey books - "Gaudy Night" in 2006, "Strong Poison" in 2004, and "Whose Body?" in 2002. Limoncelli adapted all three productions, and "Gaudy Night," and "Strong Poison" garnered Non-Equity Jeff Awards for New Adaptation. Greenberg received an After Dark Award for Outstanding Performance for his portrayal of Wimsey in "Strong Poison," and both he and Tyler were nominated for Jeff Awards for their performances in "Gaudy Night." Holmquist recently directed Lifeline's adaptation of "The Island of Dr. Moreau," which won five 2008 Non-Equity Jeff Awards, including Best Production-Play.

Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60626
Parking available (street and lot - see below); CTA accessible (Red Line Morse
stop/buses)
Free designated parking lot west of the theatre at the NE corner of Morse and
Ravenswood with free shuttle service before and after the show
Handicapped accessible

Press opening on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. (media also invited
to final preview on Sunday, May 10, 2009, at 4 p.m.)
Closes on June 21, 2009
Runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at
4 p.m. (please note that Thursdays are added on this production)
Previews on Fridays, May 1 and 8, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. (no Thursday shows during
previews); Saturdays, May 2 and 9, 2009, at 8 p.m. (no 4 p.m. Saturday shows
during previews); Sundays, May 3 and 10, 2009, at 4 p.m.

TICKETS: 773-761-4477; HotTix
$30 for regular single tickets
$20 for previews
$25 for seniors
$15 for students (with ID) and rush tickets (half hour before, subject to availability)
$10 for industry on first preview weekend
Group rates for 12 or more available upon request.
Rogers Park Theatre Flex Pass at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/42048

Ensemble members Frances Limoncelli (Adaptor) and Paul S. Holmquist (Director),
with guest artists Mary Griswold (Scenic Design), Brett Masteller (Sound Design), Joanna Melville (Costume Design), Seth Reinick (Lighting Design), LaRonika Thomas (Dramaturg), Jenniffer Thusing (Properties Design), and Kim Percell (Stage Manager).

Ensemble members Peter Greenberg (Lord Peter Wimsey), James E. Grote (Mr. Puffet), Robert Kauzlaric (Frank Crutchley), Phil Timberlake (Bunter), and Jenifer Tyler (Harriet Vane), with guest artists Adam Breske (Constable Sellon), Kate Harris (Miss Twitterton), Millicent Hurley (Mrs. Ruddle), Paul Myers (Rev. Goodacre), Will Schutz (Superintendent Kirk) and Christopher M. Walsh (Mr. MacBride).

NEXT: KidSeries production of "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" runs March 14-May 3, 2009.

The 8th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival will run August 22-23, 2009, and takes place on 6900 - 7000 North Glenwood Avenue (between Farwell and Lunt), and the 1400 block of Morse Avenue, steps from the Morse Ave stop on the CTA Red Line, with free parking nearby. This popular Northside festival features arts and crafts, theater, music, food and drink for the whole family on the brick streets of historic Rogers Park. More details will be available later at 773-262-3790 and www.rogerspark.com

Lifeline Theatre's 27th anniversary, 2009-10 season, is slated to be announced in February 2009.

General theatre info, 773-761-4477, www.lifelinetheatre.com

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. Lifeline Theatre - Big Stories, Up Close.

Photos by Suzanne Plunkett.