'FIORELLO!' at Timeline Theatre-April 13th!

        
TimeLine Theatre Company concludes its 2007-2008 season with the remount of its critically acclaimed and award-winning 2006 production of Fiorello!, book by Jerome Weidman and George Abbott, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, directed by Nick Bowling with musical direction by Doug Peck. The play runs April 17 – June 15, 2008  at TimeLine Theatre, 615 W. Wellington Ave., Chicago. Press Opening performances are Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit timelinetheatre.com or call 773.281.TIME (8463).
        
In May 2006, TimeLine's production of the musical Fiorello! became the fastest-selling show in the company's history and went on to receive four 2007 Joseph Jefferson Citations: Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Direction (Nick Bowling), Outstanding Musical Direction (Doug Peck) and Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role (Terry Hamilton).
        
Now it's back by popular demand. Ahead of its time when it premiered in 1959 and often called a neglected masterpiece, Fiorello! is a classic Broadway musical that features heartbreaking ballads ("When Did I Fall in Love"), rousing chorus numbers ("Politics and Poker") and melodic showstoppers ("Little Tin Box") to tell the story of one small, honest man's struggle against corruption in big-city politics. With guts and perseverance, Fiorello H. LaGuardia put a bright, new shine on "The Big Apple" and became one of the most enduring figures of the 20th century. This remount will feature the entire original design team and much of the original cast, including TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers as the title character.

        
"Fiorello! is an ideal cap to our 2007-08 season, during which we've examined how ordinary people respond in extraordinary circumstances," said Powers. "There is perhaps no greater example of that than Fiorello H. LaGuardia. He was the ultimate underdog and is the model for how the little guy can make a huge difference on a local and national level. His story resonates with audiences in remarkable ways."
        
The cast of Fiorello! features Steve Best (Ensemble), Rebecca Finnegan (Marie), Terry Hamilton (Ben Marino), Maris Hudson (Dora), Michael Kingston (Morris), Dan Loftus (Ensemble), Donica Lynn (Mitzi/Ensemble), Andy Nagraj (Ensemble), PJ Powers (Fiorello), Andrea Prestinario (Thea), Joe Savino (Ensemble), Alan Schmuckler (Neil), Sara Sevigny (Mrs. Pomerantz/ Ensemble), Tom Shea (Ensemble), Vance Smith (Floyd) and Mindy Wetzel (Ensemble). Fiorello! marks TimeLine's first production presented under contract with Actors Equity Association.

The production staff for Fiorello! includes Kevin Hagan (Scenic Design), Lindsey Pate (Costume Design), Keith Parham (Lighting Design), Mike Tutaj (Projections and Sound Design), Julia Eberhardt (Properties Design), Jason Harrington and Brennan Parks  (Dramaturgs), John Kearns (Stage Manager), Seth Vermilyea (Production Manager), Monica Dionysiou (Assistant Director/Wardrobe Supervisor), Brandon Magid (Assistant Musical Director), Linda Fortunato (Choreographer), Eva Breneman (Dialect Coach), Michael Smallwood (Technical Director), Julie Wilms (Master Electrician), Joseph Heaton (Assistant Stage Manager), Robert Coleman (Graphic Designer), James Keister (Lobby Display Designer), Lara Goetsch (Director of Marketing and Communications), PJ Powers (Artistic Director) and Elizabeth K. Auman (Managing Director).
       

Performance Schedule/Events:
Preview performances are Sunday, April 13 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 16 at 8 p.m. Fiorello! opens on Thursday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, April 18 at 8 p.m. and then runs Wednesdays (5/28, 6/4 & 6/11 only) and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (except no performances on 4/19) and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Sunday, June 15, 2008.
        
Fiorello! runs approximately 2 and 1/2 hours, including one intermission.
        
POST-SHOW DISCUSSIONS: Free post-show discussions led by a TimeLine Company Member and featuring the production dramaturg and members of the cast on Thursday, April 24; Sunday, April 27; Thursday, May 1; Thursday, May 8; and Sunday, May 11.
        
SUNDAY SCHOLARS SERIES: An hour-long post-show panel discussion with experts on the themes and issues of the play on Sunday, May 4. Tickets $10; $5 for TimeLine subscribers.
        
DISCUSSION WITH TIMELINE COMPANY MEMBERS: Free post-show discussion with TimeLine Company members on Sunday, May 18.

Buying Tickets:
Tickets are $25 (Wednesday – Friday) or $30 (Saturday & Sunday). Preview tickets are $15.  Student tickets are $15 with valid ID. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are available. Advance purchase is recommended as performances may sell out. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 773.281.TIME (8463) or visit timelinetheatre.com.

Audience Resources:
Dramaturgical lobby displays, a production Study Guide and other information will be available at timelinetheatre.com. A streaming video preview will be available at StageChannel.com.

Sponsors:
TimeLine's 2007-08 season is sponsored in part by Humana, Inc.

Location/Transportation/Parking/Accessibility:

TimeLine Theatre is located at 615 W. Wellington Ave., inside the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ building, near the corner of Wellington and Broadway in Chicago's Lakeview East neighborhood. The CTA El stop at Belmont (Red/Brown/Purple lines) is nearby. CTA busses #36-Broadway, #76-Diversey, #77-Belmont, #22-Clark and #8-Halsted stop nearby. There is limited street parking, but several paid parking facilities are located nearby. Visit timelinetheatre.com for complete directions and parking information. There are two flights of stairs totaling 18 steps between the street and the theater space, with no elevator.

 Photo by Lara Goetsch –PJ Powers as Fiorello H. LaGuardia

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