Photo Flash: The Family Musical MRS. PIGGLE-WIGGLE

Lifeline Theatre KidSeries presents the family musical "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle," based on the bestselling children's book by Betty MacDonald, illustrated by Hilary Knight, adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Christina Calvit, music by Paul Gilvary, and directed by Lifeline ensemble member John Hildreth. Who's that crazy lady who wears the funny hats and lives in the upside-down house? Why, it's Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, and kids love her because she always has time to play and her house smells like cookies. Parents love her too, because she's got hilarious cures for Answer-Backers, Selfish-Selfers and mean-spirited Whisperers. This production is appropriate for children ages five to ten, and runs about one hour with no intermission. Books are on sale in the lobby.

"Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" originally premiered at Lifeline in 2000, and featured the audience favorite songs, "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle," "Answer-Backer" and "The Pete Thompson Blues." The 2009 production will feature one new song, "You Need Style, Style, Style," also created by original composer Paul Gilvary, with additional dialogue by Christina Calvit.

Lifeline's "Stories Come Alive!" will feature excerpts from and theatre games for "Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle" on Saturday, February 28, from 3-4 p.m., at Rogers Park Library, 6907 N. Clark St. in Chicago. This is a FREE event for children aged 5-8 and their parents. Other upcoming Lifeline family events listed below under "ALSO."

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, about six blocks/ten minute walk Handicapped accessible

Closes May 3, 2009
Previews on March 14 at 1 p.m., and March 15 at 11 a.m.
Runs Saturdays at 1 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
NO SHOWS on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.

Publish this number: 773-761-4477
$12 for both children and adults for all shows
Pay-what-you-can tickets (half-hour before the show - subject to availability)
Group rates and other discounts also available on request
Party room available for full-service birthday and special event parties

Lifeline ensemble members Christina Calvit (Adapter), John Hildreth (Director) and Alan Donahue (Set and Props Design), with guest artists Paul Gilvary (Composer), John Sanchez (Lighting Design), Joanna Melville (Costume Design), Cathleen Bentley (Choreographer) and Ellen Willett (Stage Manager).

Guest artists Gillian Bellinger (Evelyn Rover), Rachel Boller (Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle),
Scott Allen Luke (Pete Thompson), Nicole Pellegrino (Mary O'Toole), and understudies Daniel Hickey and Amanda Link.

MainStage productions include "Mariette in Ecstasy," running February 13-April 5, 2009, and "Busman's Honeymoon" from May 1-June 21, 2009.

In a Presidents' Day workshop on February 16 (9 a.m.-12 noon) for ages 7 to 12, noted Chicago puppet designer Allison Daniel will teach a workshop on making and using puppets at Lifeline Theatre - $25 tickets available at 773-761-4477, x 1 (advance registration recommended).

Lifeline's 9th annual summer drama camp will run July 13-24, 2009, where the theatre's professional artists teach drama skills to ages 7-12 that emphasize self-esteem building, artistry and teamwork in an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and respect. For information and to register, call 773-761-4477.

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.

Lifeline Theatre's programs are partially supported by The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund; Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Chicago Community Trust; CityArts 3 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; The Grover Hermann Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture and the Prince Charitable Trust; The Polk Bros. Foundation; S&C Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

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

Rachel Boller and Scott Allen

Rachel Boller and Scott Allen

Gillian Bellinger and Scott Allen Luke

Gillian Bellinger, Scott Allen Luke, Nicole Pellegrino, and Rachel Boller

Nicole Pellegrino, Gillian Bellinger, Scott Allen Luke