THE AUDIENCE, Starring Janet Ulrich Brooks, Extends at TimeLine Theatre

TimeLine Theatre Company announces a three-week extension of its acclaimed Chicago premiere production of THE AUDIENCE by Peter Morgan, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling and starring TimeLine Company Member Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II.

Originally scheduled to close on November 12, THE AUDIENCE will now run through December 3, 2017, at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave, Chicago. Tickets to newly added performances go on sale Wednesday, October 18 at 12 p.m.

Since opening in late August, TimeLine's THE AUDIENCE has been praised as "a smart, juicy and gossipy exploration of the queen's complex relationship with decades of democratically elected heads of state," (Chicago Tribune), "[an] affectionate, eloquent revival [that] makes us believe we know a woman raised to be unknowable." (Daily Herald), and "sheer theatrical heaven" (Chicago Theatre Review). Tickets to remaining performances during the original run are still available, but are selling quickly.

For the extension, the performance schedule is Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (except no performance 11/22), Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. (except no performance 11/23), Fridays at 8 p.m.(also 4 p.m. on 11/24), Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., through December 3, 2017. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the TimeLine Theatre Box Office at773.281.8463 x6 or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Only TimeLine FlexPass subscribers are offered priority access to tickets to THE AUDIENCEand TimeLine's entire 2017-18 season. Four-admission FlexPasses are now on sale via theTimeLine Box Office at 773.281.8463 x6 or online at timelinetheatre.com/subscribe.

TimeLine's production of THE AUDIENCE has been Chicago's first view of Peter Morgan's Broadway and West End hit. Known as the author of FROST/NIXON (another TimeLine hit, in 2010) and the Academy Award-nominated screenplay for THE QUEEN, Morgan also createdthe highly rated Netflix series THE CROWN, inspired by THE AUDIENCE. The second season of THE CROWN will be available on Netflix beginning December 8.

Every Tuesday afternoon for more than 60 years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with her Prime Ministers in a private audience, a gesture of unity between government and Crown. Through moments of tension, negotiation, war, and unrest, these conversations with political leaders from Winston Churchill to Harold Wilson to Margaret Thatcher have remained a constant across the years. Playwright Peter Morgan re-imagines these meetings, giving us a glimpse at the queen's role in guiding the circumstances that have shaped Great Britain, and a window into the mystery, compassion and humor of the woman behind the iconic crown.

The cast of THE AUDIENCE is led by TimeLine Company Member Janet Ulrich Brooks as Queen Elizabeth II. A six-time Jeff Award nominee for roles at TimeLine, including 33 VARIATIONS, A WALK IN THE WOODS and ALL MY SONS, her other recent credits include VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE (Jeff Award nomination) at the Goodman Theatre, WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD (Helen Hayes Award nomination) at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C., and BAKERSFIELD MIST at TimeLine.

Surrounding Brooks is a Chicago ensemble cast all making their TimeLine debuts: Matt DeCaro (Winston Churchill / Harold Wilson / Tony Blair), David Lively (Equerry), Mark Ulrich(John Major / Gordon Brown / Anthony Eden / David Cameron), and Wendi Weber (who replaced Carmen Roman as Margaret Thatcher beginning October 15), with Sophie Ackerman and Audrey Edwards sharing the role of Young Elizabeth.

Beginning November 24, Steve Pickering will take over the roles of Winston Churchill / Harold Wilson / Tony Blair and Simon Hedger will take over the role of Equerry.

The production team for THE AUDIENCE includes Jeff Kmiec (Scenic Designer), Theresa Ham (Costume Designer), Julie Mack (Lighting Designer), TimeLine Associate ArtistAndrew Hansen (Sound Designer and Original Music), Amy Peter (Properties Designer),Katie Cordts (Wig Designer), Elise Kauzlaric (Dialect Coach), Jared Bellot (Dramaturg),Carol Ann Tan (Assistant Dramaturg), Helen Young (Associate Director), Brennan T. Jones(Assistant Director) and Luci Kersting (Stage Manager).

Ticket prices are $40 (Wednesday through Friday), $49 (Saturday evenings) and $54 (Saturday and Sunday matinees). Student discount is 35% off regular price with valid ID. TimeLine is also a member of TCG's Blue Star Theatre Program and is offering $25 tickets to U.S. military personnel, veterans, first responders, and their spouses and family.

Discounted rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Ticket buyers age 18-35 may join TimeLine's free MyLine program to obtain access to discounted tickets, special events and more. Visit timelinetheatre.com/discounts for more about Blue Star, MyLine and other available discounts.

Advance purchase is recommended as performances may sell out. For tickets and information, visit timelinetheatre.com or call the Box Office at (773) 281-8463 x6.

THE AUDIENCE takes place at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. TimeLine Theatre is located near the corner of Wellington and Broadway, inside theWellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood.

The location is served by multiple CTA trains and buses. TimeLine 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), with other paid parking options nearby, plus limited free and metered street parking.

TimeLine Theatre is accessible to people with disabilities. Two wheelchair lifts provide access from street level to the theatre space and to lower-level restrooms. Audience members using wheelchairs or who need to avoid stairs, and others with special seating or accessibility needs should contact the TimeLine Box Office in advance to confirm arrangements.

TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. To date over 20 seasons, TimeLine has presented 71 productions, including nine world premieres and 31 Chicago premieres, and launched the Living History Education Program, now in its 11th year of bringing the company's mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools. Recipient ofthe Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 53 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production 11 times.

TimeLine is led by Artistic Director PJ Powers, Managing Director Elizabeth K. Auman and Board President Eileen LaCario. Company members are Nick Bowling, Janet Ulrich Brooks, Behzad Dabu, Lara Goetsch, Juliet Hart, Mildred Marie Langford, Mechelle Moe, David Parkes, Ron OJ Parson, PJ Powers, Maren Robinson and Benjamin Thiem.

TimeLine is a member the League of Chicago Theatres, Choose Chicago, Theatre Communications Group, Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Green Theatre Alliance, and Chicago's Belmont Theater District.

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