Chris Hainsworth News

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Fable-ous!, a world premiere production by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie; based on Aesop's fables.

The House Theatre of Chicago presents their initial production in 2017, Diamond Dogs, adapted from Alastair Reynolds' science fiction adventure by Althos Low and directed by Artistic Director Nathan Allen, playing at the Chopin Upstairs Theatre, 1543 W. Division St., January 13 - March 5. 

Lifeline Theatre's KidSeries presents Fable-ous!, a world premiere production by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie; based on Aesop's fables.

To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces seventeen added performances of its Jeff Recommended and critically-acclaimed production of Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces seventeen added performances of its Jeff Recommended and critically-acclaimed production of Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Lifeline Theatre presents Miss Holmes, a new play by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh (Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation, A Tale of Two Cities), and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist (Non-Equity Jeff Award: Best Production-Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau; Non-Equity Jeff nomination: Director-Musical, The Robber Bridegroom, Griffin Theatre), inspired by the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of James Leo Herlihy's 1965 novel, Midnight Cowboy, adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Chris Hainsworth (2015 Non-Equity Jeff nomination: New Adaptation - Monstrous Regiment), and directed by Lifeline ensemble member Christopher M. Walsh. Joe Buck escapes his dead-end life in Texas and heads to New York City with dreams of making his fortune as a hustler for wealthy socialites. But his rugged cowboy persona masks the gullibility of a child, and Joe falls victim to all manner of con artists and predators. At the end of his rope, he partners with street-savvy Rico "Ratso" Rizzo in an alliance that could either save or destroy them both. A meditation on loneliness and the need to form real connections amidst the crushing isolation of 20th-century life. The production runs approximately two hours with one intermission. The book will be on sale in the lobby.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Jessica Wright Buha to its artistic ensemble, the body which determines the company's artistic programming and provides leadership, support and counsel in its play-development process.

Sean Graney, who recently returned to Chicago to resume his post as Artistic Director of The Hypocrites, informed the Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee that he just learned the theater company had been operating under an Equity CAT-N contract for the duration of the 2014-2015 Non-Equity season.  Over the past year, requests for judging its productions were made to the Non-Equity Wing without the committee having knowledge of the company's Equity status. The Jeff Committee was aware that two of the productions had Equity performers (as indicated in the program); however, the committee has now confirmed that these were not guest contracts.  As such, the company's productions are not eligible for consideration in the Non-Equity Wing, and all related Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations have been rescinded.  The productions in question will be shifted to the Equity Wing for awards consideration during its current season, which commenced on August 1, 2014 and will end on July 30, 2015.

The Jeff Awards Committee today announced 118 nominations in 24 categories for the 42nd Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards for productions that opened between April 1, 2014, and March 31, 2015. The Non-Equity Awards honor excellence in Chicago theatres not under a union contract. Jeff judges attended opening nights of 133 productions offered by 56 Non-Equity producing organizations. The Jeff Committee recommended 62 of those shows, making them eligible for Non-Equity Jeff Award nominations. Of the 62 Jeff Recommended productions, 46 received nominations, representing 23 theatre companies.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Josh LeVasseur as Development Director, starting April 6, 2015.

Lifeline Theatre welcomes Lavina Jadhwani as Casting Director beginning February 2 marking the transition of the role from a volunteer position to a salaried member of the administrative staff.

To accommodate extraordinary ticket demand, Lifeline Theatre announces ten added performances of its Jeff Recommended, critically-acclaimed world premiere adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, by ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, directed by Kevin Theis (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee).

Monstrous Regiment runs tonight, May 30-July 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Press opening is Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. Opening night is Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Previews are Todays, May 30 and June 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 31 and June 7 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1 at 4 p.m.)

Monstrous Regiment runs May 30-July 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. (free parking and shuttle; see below). Press opening is Sunday, June 8 at 4 p.m. Opening night is Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Previews are Fridays, May 30 and June 6 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, May 31 and June 7 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 1 at 4 p.m.)

Lifeline Theatre presents a world premiere adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Monstrous Regiment, by ensemble member Chris Hainsworth, and directed by Kevin Theis (two-time Non-Equity Jeff Award nominee). Borogravia is at war. Again. When Polly Perks' brother goes missing in action, she cuts off her hair, stuffs a sock down her breeches, and enlists, hoping to find him. Passing successfully as a young man, she soon discovers that she's not alone in protecting a secret and that nothing in the improbable war is as it seems. Scrambling to survive both the enemy and their untried officer, Polly's misfit company makes its way to the front, where it might just prove to be the least likely regiment to ever win a battle. A wickedly funny look at the absurdities of war and ambiguities of identity, brought to life by a cast of eleven actors, including Lifeline Theatre ensemble members Robert Kauzlaric, Katie McLean Hainsworth, and Christopher M. Walsh.