The Dirty Cowboy

February 23 – April 13, 2008

That ol’ cowboy really needs a bath! But once he is squeaky clean, will anyone recognize him? Even the loyal dog that stands guard over his clothes? A side-splitting tale of mistaken identity ensues, as cowboy and canine engage in a musical battle where the cowboy ends up stripped of more than just his dignity. A hilarious new musical!

Suggested for families with children ages 5 to 10.

A world premiere based on the story by Chicago author Amy Timberlake, illustrated by Adam Rex 
Adapted by James E. Grote 
Music by Victoria DeIorioand Jane Baxter Miller 
Directed by Shole Milos

  • Christina Hall (Eustace)

    Christina has previously worked with Lifeline Theatre while understudying for Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile and Half Magic. Other stage credits include Oliver!Shakespeare RevueSpitfire GrillSeussicalShakespeare in Hollywood, and Bedroom Farce at Hope Summer Repertory Theater, Pardon My English at Main Street Theater, and As You Like ItTurcaretTwelfth NightThe House Of Bernarda AlbaTales of the Last FormicansAssassinsRichard IIIand A Doll’s House while attending Southern Methodist University.

  • Jacqueline Krupka (The Cowgirl)

    Jacqueline is pleased to return to Lifeline, having appeared in various roles from Mrs. Bennet in Pride and Prejudice to Kaa the Rock Python in Jungle Book. Directing credits include The Rescuers and The Musicians of Bremen, and she has composed music for many KidSeries productions including Just So Stories and James and the Giant Peach. For her original vocal score for Jungle Book, Jacquie won a Joseph Jefferson Citation Wing Award. Currently she performs with the a cappella quartet Rolls Voyce, the trio Joie de Diva, and provides an eclectic array of corporate entertainment for Atomic Productions.

  • Zeke Sulkes (The Cowboy)

    Zeke is thrilled to be making his Lifeline debut. Zeke graduated from Northwestern University in June with a BS in Theatre. NU productions include Cloud 9HamletEurydice, and Mary Zimmerman’s Cymbeline. Recent Chicago credits include Psycho Beach Party (Easy Street Players) and Hunchback (Redmoon Theatre). He is a new ensemble member of Barrel of Monkeys and studies with 500 Clown.

  • Simon Flory (Musician)

    Simon is making his first appearance in Chicago theatre here at Lifeline. A local musician, he works at the Old Town School of Folk Music, teaches workshops, and performs around the Midwest. His current projects include a residency at The Grafton Pub on Lincoln Avenue and an upcoming album of original music with Jay Lapp of The Goldmine Pickers. Simon has a BA in Creative Writing from DePauw University and has studied and performed with many notable American folk artists.

  • David Fink (Understudy)

    David is making his first appearance at Lifeline Theatre. Having recently graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Acting this past May, David has been seen around the city in Blue Moon Studio Theater’s production of Weird Romance, Colonel Ingot-Whustard’s Compelling Mango Gesture’s sketch show You Must Pay! at the Gorilla Tango Theater, and this past holiday season in Silent Theatre Company’s A Charlie Chaplin Christmas. Favorite roles include Caldwell B. Cladwell (Urinetown), Johnnypateenmike (The Cripple of Inishmaan), Nathan Detroit (Guys & Dolls), Skinhead boy (Polaroid Stories), and Mr. Zero (The Adding Machine).

  • James E. Grote (Adaptor)

    Jim began working with Lifeline Theatre in 1992, appearing as Tucker Mouse in Lifeline’s world premiere production of A Cricket in Times Square. Since then, Jim has appeared in Lifeline’s productions of Somebody Loves You, Mr. HatchMrs. Piggle-WiggleThe Killer AngelsAround the World in 80 Days (Jeff Award: Outstanding Ensemble); and Johnny Tremain. Jim has also adapted C.S. Lewis’ The Silver ChairClick, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type; and Brave Potatoes. Jim’s adaptation of Daniel Mason’s The Piano Tuner was recently honored by the After Dark Awards as one of the year’s best productions.

  • Victoria DeIorio (Music & Lyrics)

    Victoria has loved writing the music with Jane for Dirty Cowboy. Victoria was the director of The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!, and has sound designed: The Island of Dr. MoreauVelveteen RabbitRoom With A ViewGaudy NightTalisman RingSirens of TitanLong Way from ChicagoStrong PoisonThe Shadow (Jeff Citation), Far From the Madding Crowd, and Around the World in 80 Days (Jeff Citation); all with Lifeline Theatre, where she is proud to be an ensemble member. For more information visit www.victoria-sound-design.com.

  • Jane Baxter Miller (Music & Lyrics)

    Jane is excited to be working again with Lifeline Theatre! She was last seen on-stage at Lifeline as Miss Bianca in their original production of The Rescuers. Jane is an actor/singer-songwriter and has appeared on Ernest Tubbs’ Midnight Jamboree on WSM radio in Nashville and has opened for Guy Clark, Carlene Carter, Joe Ely, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Jane’s discography includes Hard-Headed Woman: A Celebration of Wanda JacksonThe Bottle Let Me DownPoor Little Knitter on the RoadWorking Girl BluesFor a Life of SinThe Majesty of Bob Wills, (The Pine Valley Cosmanauts); and To The Last Dead Cowboy, (The Waco Brothers). Her song “Save You” was featured on American Airlines in-flight radio. She performs the last Tuesday of each month at Katerina’s in Chicago. Jane’s Chicago acting credits include: Dandelion Wine (Chicago Children’s Theatre); The Love Song of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Next Theatre); Self-Defense or the death of some salesmen(After Dark Award-Best Ensemble/Rivendell Theatre Ensemble); Early and Often (Famous Door Theatre); Pump Boys and Dinettes (Theatre at the Center); The Irish and How They Got That Way (Mercury Theatre); and Cowgirls (Northlight Theatre). Jane is currently creating her first solo recording. Please stop by her website janebaxtermiller.com.

  • Shole Milos (Director)

    Shole is a Lifeline ensemble member who has served as the director of many KidSeries productions including Lyle, Lyle, CrocodileBrave PotoatoesGiggle Giggle Quack and Click Clack Moo; Cows that Type, to name a few. Shole has also directed the MainStage production of A Long Way From Chicago which was later remounted at Theatre on the Lake. As an actor, he has been seen on the Lifeline stage in The Piano TunerJohnny TremainWhose Body? and The Emperor’s Groovy New Clothes, and was recently seen in Steep Theatre’s production of The Resistable Rise of Arturo Ui. He has also served as director and choreographer for productions of Rapunzel and Stellaluna at Emerald City Theatre and provided movement coaching for a number of productions around town.

  • Jon Mercado (Stage Manager)

    Jon is thrilled to make his Lifeline debut as the stage manager of The Dirty Cowboy. He is currently a student at the Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University, earning his BFA in Musical Theatre.

  • Amy Steelman (Alternate Stage Manager)

    Amy is delighted to be working with Lifeline once again. Previous credits include Half MagicThe Island of Doctor Moreau, and Gaudy Night. Amy is the production manager for Greasy Joan & Co, which will produce The Misanthrope and Macbeth this spring. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Amy spent last season working at CENTERSTAGE in Baltimore.

  • Chantal Calato (Costume Designer)

    Chantal is excited to be working with Lifeline Theatre. She is currently finishing her MFA in Costume and Scenic Design at Northwestern University. Recent work at Northwestern includes costumes for MarisolPippin, and Old Times.

  • Pete Dully (Lighting Designer)

    Pete is thrilled to be working for the first time with Lifeline Theatre. Pete has worked in the Chicago area for the past ten years as a Production Manager, Stage Manager, Technical Director and Lighting Designer. Favorite lighting credits include Yerma for Halcyon Theatre, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot for Steep Theatre, The Warriors and Agamemnon for European Repertory Company, and Dialouges Des Carmelites for Northwestern University Opera.

  • Tim Hill (Sound Designer)

    Tim is very happy to be working with Lifeline Theatre for an amazing sixth time. Past sound designs include productions with Tantalus Theatre Group; Chicago Actors Workshop; Irish Repertory of Chicago; Stage Left; University Theatre in Madison, WI; Tireswing; The Neo-Futurists; Roadworks; Women’s Club of Evanston; Queen of All Saints; St. Scholastica Academy; St. John of the Cross; UIC Theatre; St. Patrick High School; and The Free Associates Improv Theatre. Tim is a proud member of The Grandkids and The Anti-Road Trip Alliance.

  • Chelsea Warren (Scenic Designer)

    Chelsea happily returns to Lifeline after designing shadow puppets for The Piano Tuner. She recently completed her MFA at Northwestern University at which her work included: scenery for Stone Cold Dead Serious, and costumes for Cloud Nine, AMTP’s Asphalt Beach, and Saint Joan. Recent work in Chicago includes: costumes for Infamous Commonwealth’s Betty’s Summer Vacation, The Mill’s Venus and bunraku puppets for North Park’s King Lear. In March and April Chelsea will be traveling to Paris and Zagreb with her sets and costumes for Woman in the Dunes. Next fall she will be designing the unveiling ceremony for the Barossa Sculpture Park in Tanunda South Australia.

  • Charlie Olson (Technical Director)

    Charlie is delighted to be working with Lifeline on his 11th show. His other Chicago credits include stints with Silk Road, A Red Orchid, City Lit, and the Factory Theatres, as well as the Opera at Northwestern University. This coming year will see him managing the touring production of Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Romeo and Juliet, as well as acting and designing in his own company’s (Theatre Seven) second terrific season

  • Cortney Hurley (Production Manager)

    Cortney is excited to be working with Lifeline Theatre again for the 07/08 season. Previous and current production management positions include Ellen Under Glass for the House Theatre of Chicago; One False Note with Plasticene; Creole with InFusion Theatre; Marathon ’33A Lie of the Mind, and Aristocrats with Strawdog Theatre, where she is the mainstage production manager; as well as the Assistant Production Manager at Theater on the Lake for the last 4 years. During the school year Cortney can be found at St. Scholastica Academy, where she has been the resident designer (scenery and lighting) and technical theatre instructor/director for the last nine years.

Coming Soon!