Lifeline Theater Co Presents NEVERWHERE, Opens 5/10

Lifeline Theatre concludes its 27th anniversary MainStage season with the world premiere adaptation of Neil Gaiman's bestselling 1996 urban fantasy novel Neverwhere, adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric, directed by Lifeline ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist. When Richard Mayhew stops to care for an injured girl on the street, he is drawn into a nightmare shadow world beneath the city of London. To return to his normal life, Richard must brave countless trials, uncover the truth behind a dark conspiracy, and face the indomitable Great Beast. Journey to London Below with a rogues' gallery of liars, outcasts and assassins, on a treacherous voyage to awaken the hero within. This drama runs approximately two hours with one intermission, and copies of the book will be on sale in the lobby.

Bestselling author Gaiman is a prolific creator of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comic books, lyrics, and drama. His works have received numerous awards, including the Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and the 2009 Newbery Medal. He is best known for The Sandman graphic novel series, his novels Stardust and American Gods, and his children's books Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Gaiman originally wrote Neverwhere as a screenplay for a six-part BBC TV series which aired in 1996, and his novel of the same name was released shortly thereafter.

Lifeline's 27th Anniversary Benefit, a recreation of "The Floating Market" from Gaiman's Neverwhere, will take place on Monday, April 19, 2010, from 6:30 - 10:00 p.m., at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago, IL. Tickets are $100 advance purchase; $135 at the door; and available by calling the Lifeline box office at 773-761-4477, or online at http://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pe/7901545 "The Floating Market" is an underworld market that appears in a different location every time it's held; "floating" from place to place, typically appearing in well-established upworld sites after darkness falls, such as Harrods, Big Ben, and HMS Belfast.

Lifeline has produced four previous world premiere stage adaptations by Robert Kauzlaric, including 2007's "The Island of Dr. Moreau," also directed by Paul S. Holmquist, which garnered five Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Awards (including Production-Play, New Adaptation, and the Lighting Design award received by Kevin D. Gawley), and two After Dark Awards (including Outstanding Overall Technical Achievement).

Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60626
Parking available (street and lot - see below); CTA accessible (Red Line Morse stop/buses)
Free designated parking lot west of the theatre at the NE corner of Morse and Ravenswood with free shuttle service before and after the show
Handicapped accessible

Opening on Monday, May 10, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., closes on June 20, 2010
Runs Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at
4 p.m. (please note that Thursdays are added on this production)
Previews on Fridays, April 30 and May 7, at 7:30 p.m. (no Thursday shows during previews);
Saturdays, May 1 and 8, at 8 p.m. (no 4 p.m. Saturday shows during previews); Sundays, May 2 and 9, at 4 p.m.

TICKETS: 773-761-4477; HotTix; https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/1371
$30 for regular single tickets
$20 for previews
$25 for seniors (with ID)
$15 for students (with ID) and rush tickets (half hour before, subject to availability)
$10 for industry on first preview weekend
Group rates for 12 or more available upon request.
Rogers Park Theatre Flex Pass at www.rogersparkflexpass.com

STAFF: Ensemble members Alan Donahue (Scenic and Properties Design), Kevin D. Gawley (Lighting Design), Paul S. Holmquist (Director), Robert Kauzlaric (Adaptor), and Elizabeth Wislar (Costume Design), with guest artists Charlie Alves (Projection Design), David Bareford and Richard Gilbert (Violence Design), Eva Breneman (Dialect/Vocal Coach), Mikhail Fiksel (Sound Design, Composer), Erica Foster (Stage Manager), Cortney Hurley (Production Manager), Kimberly G. Morris (Puppet Design), Maren Robinson (Dramaturg), Jessica Wright (Assistant Director), and Ian Zywica (Technical Director).

CAST: Ensemble members Patrick Blashill (Old Bailey/The Earl/The Abbot), Elise Kauzlaric (Jessica/Anaesthesia/Lamia), Robert Kauzlaric (Richard), Katie McLean (Door), and Phil Timberlake (Gary/Islington), with guest artists Chris Hainsworth (Marquis de Carabas), Kyra Morris (Hunter), Sean Sinitski (Mr. Croup), and Christopher M. Walsh (Mr. Vandemar). With understudies Matt Kahler and Ron Kuzava.

NEXT: KidSeries production of "The Blue Shadow" runs March 13-May 2, 2010.

Lifeline's 10th Annual Summer Drama Camp will run July 12-23, 2010, where the theatre's professional artists teach drama skills to ages 7-12 that emphasize self-esteem building, artistry and teamwork in an atmosphere of mutual encouragement and respect. For information and to register, call 773-761-4477.

The 9th Annual Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival will run August 20-22, 2010, and takes place on 6900 - 7000 North Glenwood Avenue (between Farwell and Lunt), and the 1400 block of Morse Avenue, steps from the Morse Ave stop on the CTA Red Line, with free parking nearby. This popular Northside festival features arts and crafts, theater, music, food and drink for the whole family on the brick streets of historic Rogers Park. More details will be available later at 773-761-4477 and www.GlenwoodAve.org.

General theatre info, 773-761-4477, www.lifelinetheatre.com
Robert Kauzlaric, Marketing Director, 773-761-4477 x704, rob@lifelinetheatre.com
Lifeline Theatre's programs are partially supported by Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; The Chicago Community Trust; CityArts 3 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Richard H. Driehaus Charitable Lead Trust; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund; The Rhoades Foundation; The Polk Bros. Foundation; S&C Foundation; Taproot Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals. A slide show of historical Lifeline productions is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=60u-0eWje9k

Now in its 27th season, Lifeline Theatre is known for specializing in original literary adaptations. Its ensemble of artists uses imaginative, unconventional staging to portray sprawling stories in an intimate space. Lifeline is committed to promoting the arts in its Rogers Park neighborhood and is an anchor of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District. We aspire to create art that is relevant to our culturally diverse, increasingly youthful neighborhood. Lifeline Theatre - Big Stories, Up Close.

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