Anthony Kayer News

Lifeline Theatre and Artistic Director ILesa Duncan announce the casting for the revival of ensemble member John Hildreth's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's classic Cat's Cradle.

Lifeline Theatre has revealed its 2023-24 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s an exciting year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles.

Lifeline Theatre will welcome Addoris Davis as Production Manager and John Craig as Operations Manager, beginning in May 2023.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Davis will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline’s programming.  

Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere musical of the KidSeries production Extra Yarn.  The musical is based on the book of the same title by Mac Barnet; illustrated by Jon Klassen, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble members Jessica Wright Buha* and John Szymanski+, with music by John Szymanski+, and directed by Anthony Kayer+^, also a Lifeline Theatre ensemble member.

Lifeline Theatre presents the world premiere musical of the KidSeries production Extra Yarn.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Paige Keedy as Production Manager, Nathan Crawford as Operations Manager/Accessibility Coordinator, and Merissa Stewart as Education Director, beginning in Summer 2022.  Reporting to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and working in partnership with the Operations Manager, Keedy will be responsible for managing the overall production of all of Lifeline's programming. 

Lifeline Theatre announced their 2022-23 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It’s a monumental year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles. The 2022-23 MainStage season features the Midwest premiere sequel Miss Holmes Returns, followed by a retelling of Dr. Endesha Ida Mae Holland’s From the Mississippi Delta.

​​​​​​​Lifeline Theatre welcomes Amelia Ablan to her new staff position as Production Manager, beginning June 2021. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Ilesa Duncan and Managing Director Allison Cain, Ablan will be responsible for overseeing the production processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors and the Artistic Director to fulfill the production needs for Lifeline's future live and digital programming.  Ablan succeeds Jennifer McClendon, who served as Production Manager since 2016, now heading to Providence, Rhode Island to Trinity Repertory Company as their new Producing Director.

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Bunny's Book Club, based on the children's book by Annie Silvestro; illustrated by Tatjana Mai-Wyss, with adaptation by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Aly Renee Amidei, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Anthony Kayer. Ever since she overheard the librarian reading outside of the library, Bunny has been enamored with books. But upon reflection, she isn't sure if animals are allowed in the library. With the help of her furry friends, Bunny decides to share her love for reading and start a book club, but how can they get their hands on those books?

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Bunnicula, a family musical based on the popular children's book by Deborah and James Howe, with adaptation and lyrics by Lifeline Theatre emeritus ensemble member James Sie, music by Doug Wood, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Anthony Kayer. At a showing of Dracula one dark and stormy night, the Monroe family discovers an abandoned rabbit. When they bring him home, resident know-it-all Chester the cat suspects the worst after spying gleaming fangs in the bunny's mouth. And as vegetables start turning up mysteriously drained of their juices, even easygoing Harold the dog wonders if they have a supernatural menace on their hands. Brave the night and dare to embrace our differences in this musical adaptation of the 1979 book by Deborah and James Howe. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes ensemble member Andres Enriquez to his new staff position as casting director, beginning February 2018. Reporting directly to Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and Managing Director Allison Cain, Enriquez will be responsible for overseeing the audition processes for the company, collaborating closely with directors to fulfill the casting needs for Lifeline's three MainStage and three KidSeries productions every season.

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2018-19 season of Big Stories, Up Close. It's another year of unforgettable stories brought to life, from beloved classics to modern titles.

Griffin Theatre Company launches its 30th anniversary season with a revival of the Tony-nominated musical VIOLET, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess), music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change), direction by Scott Weinstein (Ragtime, Bat Boy: The Musical) and music direction by John Cockerill (Bonnie & Clyde). VIOLET runs now through January 13, 2018 at The Den Theatre's Upstairs Mainstage, 1333 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Lifeline Theatre is proud to announce six new members of its artistic ensemble: Bilal Dardai, Andr s Enriquez, Diane D. Fairchild, Anthony Kayer, Martel Manning, and Michael McKeogh. Lifeline's ensemble determines the company's artistic programming and provides leadership, support, and counsel in the play development process.

Griffin Theatre Company is pleased to announce casting for its revival of the Tony-nominated musical VIOLET, with book and lyrics by Brian Crawley (A Little Princess), music by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change), direction by Scott Weinstein (Ragtime, Bat Boy: The Musical) and music direction by John Cockerill (Bonnie & Clyde).

The House Theatre of Chicago announces the final production in their 15th season, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's book by The House Theatre Company Member Phillip Klapperich and directed and choreographed by The House Theatre Company Member Tommy Rapley, playing at the Chopin Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., March 17 - May 7. Opening/press night is Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. The performance schedule is Thursdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. Preview tickets (evenings March 17 - March 26, no performance March 25) are $15 and regular run tickets range from $25 - $45. The show is recommended for adults and kids aged 10 and up. Same-day tickets for students and industry professionals are $15 and available for all dates, seats permitting. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit www.thehousetheatre.com or call 773.769.3832. 

The House Theatre of Chicago announces the final production in their 15th season, The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz, adapted from L. Frank Baum's book by The House Theatre Company Member Phillip Klapperich and directed by The House Theatre Company Member Tommy Rapley, playing at the Chopin Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., March 17 - May 7.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces seventeen added performances of its critically-acclaimed production of Northanger Abbey, a world premiere musical with book by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff Awards: New Adaptation, The Island of Dr. Moreau and Neverwhere), music and lyrics by George Howe (Non-Equity Jeff Award: New Work-Musical, Queen Lucia), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Play, Mariette in Ecstasy), based on the novel by Jane Austen. Catherine Morland leaves her quiet country home for the splendors of Bath, armed only with an innocent heart and the examples of her favorite literary heroines. Immersed in a new world of parties, balls, and high society, Catherine soon finds herself caught in a web of social scheming far above her skill to master. False friends, greedy lovers, and a wealth of misunderstandings lead to the revelation that bruises of the heart can be far more painful than the imagined terrors of Gothic novels. The production runs two and a half hours with one intermission. The book is on sale in the lobby.

To accommodate ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces eight added performances of its KidSeries production of Mr. Popper's Penguins, a world premiere musical adaptation by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, with music and lyrics by George Howe, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist, based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater. Money is tight and times are tough in the town of Stillwater. With no houses to paint till spring, Mr. Popper is stuck at home daydreaming of adventures in far-off lands, while Mrs. Popper must scrimp and save just to put beans on the table. But with the unexpected arrival of a spirited penguin named Captain Cook, a new horizon opens before them. As a quiet partnership expands into a boisterous flock, the Poppers learn that there's no problem that can't be solved with steady determination, lots of love, and a dash of unconventionality. This production is recommended for children ages five and up (children under two not permitted), and runs one hour with no intermission.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere musical adaptation of Austin Grossman's 2007 novel, Soon I Will Be Invincible, by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities, Lifeline Theatre), with music and lyrics by Christopher Kriz (Jeff Award and Non-Equity Jeff Award-winner for Sound Design; three-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee for Original Incidental Music), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau, Lifeline Theatre; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre). BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast onstage below!