TimeLine Theatre Announces 2008-09 Season

TimeLine Theatre Company, dedicated to presenting plays inspired by history that connect to today's social and political issues, announces its four-play 2008-09 season. All the plays are new to Chicago audiences, including one world premiere and at least two Chicago premieres.

Weekend by Gore Vidal and directed by Damon Kiely.

August 23 – October 12, 2008
Written and set during the 1968 presidential campaign, Weekend is a witty comedy about a Republican Senator who is about to announce his candidacy for his party's nomination when his son arrives with shocking — and potentially politically damaging — news. Prejudice, blackmail, self-righteousness and opportunism become a potent mix as the candidate and his handlers conspire with well-calculated maneuvers to save the day.

"Weekend premiered on Broadway in the heat of the 1968 presidential campaign," said TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers. "It has rarely, if ever, been produced since, and TimeLine is proud to unearth this gem from the great writer Gore Vidal. Now seems like an ideal time to introduce this play to a new generation. In many ways it feels like it was written last week—Vidal's biting political humor is remarkably prescient and should provoke a lot of discussion this fall as we're embroiled in a national election!"

A House With No Walls– Chicago premiere by Thomas Gibbons and directed by Louis Contey

November 1 - December 21, 2008
From the author of Bee-Luther-Hatchee and Permanent Collection comes this inspired-by-real-life drama about two African-Americans on opposite sides of a profound debate. Philadelphia wants to build its new American Museum of Liberty on the grounds of George Washington's Philadelphia home and slave quarters. Soon a rising academic star who has just published a startlingly conservative book and a liberal Afrocentric political activist are confronting each other with polarizing questions of African-American legacy and identity. Elegantly juxtaposed with this fictionalized present-day conflict is the true story of one of Washington's slaves as she contemplates escape. The result is a thought-provoking drama that asks vital questions about where we've been and where we go next.

"This is a provocative and innovative play that addresses not only race relations in this country, but also the challenges that come from trying to even discuss race relations," Powers said. "Honestly, it's not a conversation we've had enough at TimeLine, and we're very much looking forward to engaging in that dialogue with this production."

Not Enough Air–World premiere by Masha Obolensky and directed by Nick Bowling

January 24 – March 22, 2009
This world premiere drama imagines the process by which famed journalist-turned-playwright Sophie Treadwell created her landmark work, the 1928 play Machinal—itself inspired by the sensational trial of one of the first American woman electrocuted for murder. The result is an astonishing exploration of interpretation and manipulation in the creative process, of media sensationalism and ethics, and of the lives of two women who pushed against the limitations and expectations imposed upon them by society.

"We've been involved in the development of this remarkable new work over the last year," Powers said. "The experience with Masha has been outstanding and we are honored to premiere her dynamic new play for Chicago audiences."

The History Boys–Chicago premiere by Alan Bennett and directed by Nick Bowling

April 25 – June 21, 2009
The recipient of more than 30 major awards, including Tony and Olivier awards for Best New Play, The History Boys follows a rambunctious group of clever young men as they pursue higher learning, games, sexual identity and a place at university under the guidance of three wildly different teachers and a headmaster obsessed with results. Set during the 1980s in northern England, it is a hilarious and provocative play about the anarchy of adolescence and the purpose of education—specifically, how history should be taught.

The History Boys premiered in London at The National Theatre's Lyttelton Theatre in May 2004. It played to sell-out audiences for an extended run before touring to Hong Kong, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia in 2006. The play premiered on Broadway in April 2006 and received six Tony Awards. It has also been adapted into a feature film.

"Alan Bennett's provocative script tackles essential questions we regularly grapple with as we explore TimeLine's unique mission — 'how do we benefit by dissecting, studying and examining history?'" Powers said. "Whether audiences have seen this production in London, on Broadway or on film, or are coming to it for the first time, The History Boys will have a fresh and powerful impact at TimeLine's intimate theater."

Location/Tickets:

Performances take place at TimeLine's home inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago, near the corner of Wellington and Broadway in the Lakeview East neighborhood. FlexPass Subscriptions for TimeLine's 2008-09 season will go on sale in April. For more information about subscriptions, ticket availability and group sales, call (773) 281-TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

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