Join us for another exciting season of BIG STORIES, UP CLOSE!
The 2024-2025 MainStage season features a one-man show starring Lifeline ensemble member Phil Timberlake of Tom Mula’s holiday tale, Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol, followed by a new hip-hop adaptation of the novel The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain and first-time collaboration with Salvadoran-American artists Brian and Marvin Quijada in Kid Prince and Pablo, and Lifeline ensemble members John Hildreth (adaptor) and Heather Currie (director)’s contemporary Chicago version of the sci-fi thriller War of the Worlds based on the novel by H.G. Wells.
The KidSeries season will feature the world premiere of ensemble member Amanda Link’s adaptation of Sandra Dieckmann’s Leaf, a story that navigates our relationships with each other and our planet.
Additionally, Lifeline Theatre will produce the 28th Annual Fillet of Solo Festival, a two-week, multi-venue solo performance and storytelling festival, as well as the 4th Annual Adaptation Development Showcase featuring new playwrights and their world premiere works.
It’s another year of incredible stories brought to Life, from reimagined classics to exciting world premieres. Come Live the Page at Lifeline!
Call 773-761-4477 or visit the Memberships page for more information about memberships — or become a Member online – memberships go on sale July 5, 2023!
MainStage
JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL
November 29 – December 22, 2024
By Tom Mula
A Solo Show Performed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Phil Timberlake
Tom Mula’s Christmas tale coming to the stage as a one-man show, during the holiday season featuring Lifeline ensemble member Phil Timberlake.
KID PRINCE AND PABLO
January 3 – February 16, 2025
Based on the novel The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain
Adapted by Brian Quijada
Composed by Marvin Quijada
Directed by Raquel Torre
A new hip-hop adaptation of The Prince and the Pauper, this production will be a first-time collaboration with Salvadoran-American artists Brian and Marvin Quijada. Brian wrote and starred in Teatro Vista’s highly acclaimed 2022 world premiere musical, Somewhere Over the Border.
WAR OF THE WORLDS
May 23 – July 13, 2025
Based on the novel by H.G. Wells
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member John Hildreth
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Heather Currie
Lifeline’s tagline, “Big Stories Up Close” will be demonstrated again by bringing H.G. Wells’ beloved and influential work to the stage. A study of human nature when the social order is disrupted, ensemble members John Hildreth (adaptor) and Heather Currie (director) bring this story to contemporary Chicago as a live action sci-fi thriller.
KidSeries
LEAF
March 15 – April 20, 2025
A world premiere based on the book written and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann
Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Amanda Link
Directed by Nathaniel Niemi
This debut picture book by author and illustrator Sandra Dieckmann is adapted by ensemble member Amanda Link. Featuring a polar bear on his quest to return home, Leaf centers on the importance of compassion for each other and our planet, cooperation with others, and sharing one’s story. Ensemble member Link teams up with director Nathaniel Niemi to bring audiences a timely world premiere that navigates our relationships with each other and our planet.
PLUS
DOROTHY L. SAYERS CONCERT READINGS:
Strong Poison: September 14, 2024
Gaudy Night: October 19, 2024
Based on the books by Dorothy L. Sayers
Adapted and Directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli
Lifeline revives its annual Concert Reading Series with a series of limited-engagement concert readings of 2 of the Dorothy L. Sayers mysteries. Adapted by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli over the past decade, Whose Body? (2002), Strong Poison (2004), Gaudy Night (2006), and Busman’s Honeymoon (2009) played for more than 14,000 patrons in their collective original runs. Featuring the original cast, Lifeline is thrilled to bring back these fan favorites in support and celebration of Lifeline’s work.
Each morning begins at 11:30 a.m with a light brunch and coffee/mimosas, plus conversation with Lifeline ensemble, staff, and board members. performances start at 12:30 p.m.. (Script times vary, but are approximately two and a half hours in length). An intermission allows for refills of drinks, and after the reading dessert will be served followed by a talk-back with the cast and team.
The price for these special benefit events (including food, drink, and dessert) is $75 for Lifeline Membership holders ($100 for the general public) and can be ordered by calling the Box Office at 773-761-4477.
THE 28TH ANNUAL FILLET OF SOLO FESTIVAL
November 8 – November 17, 2024
FREE Kick Off Event: November 6, 2024 at 7:00PM at Rhapsody Theater
Celebrating the breadth of Chicago’s enduring storytelling and live lit scene, Lifeline brings together numerous solo performers and storytelling collectives for a two-week, multi-venue selection of powerful personal stories.
Participants, locations, scheduling, and full details for the 2024 Fillet of Solo Festival can be found here.
THE 4TH ANNUAL ADAPTATION SHOWCASE
JULY 2025
Lifeline Theatre is invested in bringing new and diverse voices to its stage. As a new work company specializing in literary adaptation, we believe playwrights and those who adapt books and literature to the stage need time and resources to develop their work. The BIPOC-focused adaptation workshop and showcase seeks to support and get to know more writers and other artists of color.
Participants, scheduling, and full details for the 2025 Adaptation Workshop will be announced in Winter 2024.