I just received the following press release.

Lifeline Theatre Announces 2008 to 2009 26th Anniversary Season
Three World Premiere Adaptations For Adults
Two World Premiers and the Return of Two Hits For Kids
KidSeries Cast Recordings and Books Also Made Available

Lifeline Theatre Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the artistic ensemble announce their 2008-2009, 26th anniversary season of presenting Big Stories, Up Close. In its award-winning and audience-acclaimed style, Lifeline’s 2008-2009 season will feature six best-selling books onstage and one original play, all written by Lifeline ensemble members. The season will feature expansive, classic tales as well as intriguing, contemporary titles, as Lifeline retains its reputation for fresh, imaginative interpretations of well-loved stories and embraces the challenge and excitement of new, thought-provoking works.

MainStage
“The Picture of Dorian Gray,” September 12–November 2, 2008 (opens 9/22/08, 7:30 p.m.)
“Mariette in Ecstasy,” February 13–April 5, 2009 (opens 2/23/09, 7:30 p.m.)
“Busman’s Honeymoon,” May 1-June 21, 2009 (opens 5/11/09, 7:30 p.m.)

KidSeries
“Duck for President,” October 11–November 30, 2008 (opens 10/12/08, 1 p.m.)
“Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure,” December 13, 2008–January 4, 2009 (opens 12/14/08, 11 a.m.)
“Flight of the Dodo,” December 20, 2008– February 22, 2009 (opens 12/27/08, 2 p.m.)
“Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle,” March 14–May 3, 2009 (opens 3/15/09, 1 p.m.)

The MainStage season will begin with a haunting examination of vanity in “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” followed by the contemporary tale of intrigue and spirituality, “Mariette in Ecstasy,” and concluding with the final chapter in the blockbuster Sayers mystery series, “Busman’s Honeymoon.” The KidSeries offerings start with the best-selling story of farm politics (just in time for election season), “Duck for President,” then the return of the original holiday hit “Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure,” followed by the whimsical new musical “Flight of the Dodo,” and ending with the beloved classic “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.” CDs of the original cast recordings from the premiere adaptations featuring Lifeline performers will be on sale in the lobby, in addition to copies of the KidSeries source books, for this season’s offerings of “Duck for President,” “Flight of the Dodo,” and “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.” Cast recordings of previous Lifeline KidSeries hits “Click, Clack, Moo” and “Giggle, Giggle, Quack” will be available as well. The non-musical “Snowflake Tim” will offer a children’s book with original story by ensemble member Christina Calvit.

For more information, or to purchase tickets and subscriptions, call the Lifeline Box Office at 773-761-4477, or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com [1] Season subscriptions go on sale April 1, and offer the three MainStage productions for $75; and the three KidSeries plays for $27 (and add “Snowflake Tim” for just $9).

Being a Lifeline subscriber allows patrons to save 25% off regular ticket prices; offers discounts on additional tickets for friends and family; gives first choice of seats with unlimited free ticket exchanges (and includes reminder cards for shows selected, plus a reminder call a few days before the reservation); knocks 25% off party room rental for audience pre- or post-show events; and offers invitations to subscriber events such as sneak peeks of the rehearsal process, book discussions with the creative team, and author events (previous writers have included Adam Langer, Daniel Mason, Sara Paretsky, and Donald Westlake).

Regular single MainStage tickets are $30; seniors/groups (12 or more) are $25; previews are $20; and students (with ID) and rush tickets (half-hour before show, subject to availability) are $15. Lifeline’s KidSeries single tickets for adults and kids are $12 each; and groups of 15 or more are $9 each. Pay-what-you-can tickets available a half-hour before show time (subject to availability). Lifeline Theatre also offers a full-service party room for on-site, pre- or post-show events.

Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Lifeline Theatre now has a designated parking lot, which may be used for all performances and for any other Lifeline activity. Through the exertions of the local SSA and a neighborhood bank (First Commercial), Lifeline visitors will now have full use of the parking lot at the NE corner of Morse and Ravenswood (one block west of Clark Street). Lifeline Theatre’s shuttle van will run between the theatre and the new lot 45 minutes prior to each MainStage performance and make loops back to the lot immediately after each MainStage performance. Free public lots and street parking are also available. The theatre is wheelchair accessible, and is located half a block south of the Morse Red Line El train stop.

Founded in 1982, Lifeline is known for staging innovative adaptations of great works of fiction as well as commissioning original work. In 1987, Lifeline added KidSeries plays for children and families, and has been producing full seasons of programming for both adults and children ever since. Lifeline Theatre’s programs are partially supported by The Albert Pick, Jr. Fund; Alphawood Foundation; The Arts Work Fund; The Chicago Community Trust; CityArts 3 grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Grover Hermann Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture and the Prince Charitable Trusts; Meyer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation; Polk Bros. Foundation; S&C Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.

MainStage Productions

“The Picture of Dorian Gray,” a world premiere based on the haunting classic by Oscar Wilde
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric
Directed by Kevin Theis
September 12 – November 2, 2008
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 9/12 and 9/19 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 9/13 and 9/20 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 9/14 and 9/21 at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, 9/22 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview on 9/21 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 9/26 – 11/2/08: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

What would you do if you had the freedom to indulge your every dark desire? A supernatural power grants Dorian Gray eternal youth and beauty. As the years pass and his outward form remains unmarred, his soul wallows in pride and sin, dragging the lives of everyone he touches into the depths of depravity. An examination of love as one of mankind’s greatest tragedies, Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece shows us that even the bravest among us are afraid to face what lies within.

“Mariette in Ecstasy,” a world premiere based on the contemporary best-seller by Ron Hansen
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Christina Calvit
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Elise Kauzlaric
February 13 – April 5, 2009
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 2/13 and 2/20 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 2/14 and 2/21 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2/15 and 2/22 at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, 2/23 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview, 2/22 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 2/27 – 4/5/09: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

The Sisters of the Crucifixion live quiet lives of prayer and devotion until the intriguing Mariette is initiated into their cloister. When she experiences what may be a truly divine encounter, their unity is shattered into conflicting fragments of acceptance, envy, idolatry and fear, challenging the sisters’ faith and the future of their sheltered existence. Written in 1991, this national best-seller scrutinizes the politics of community, as it awakens the desire in all of us to find a deeper meaning in our everyday lives.

“Busman’s Honeymoon,” a world premiere based on the classic mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Frances Limoncelli
May 1 – June 21, 2009
Regular tickets $30; preview tickets $20
Previews: Fridays, 5/1 and 5/8 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 5/2 and 5/9 at 8 p.m.; Sundays, 5/3 and 5/10 at 4 p.m.
Press Opening: Monday, 5/11 at 7:30 p.m. (press also invited to final preview, 5/10 at 4 p.m.)
Regular Run: 5/15 – 6/21: Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sundays at 4 p.m.

Wedding bells have finally rung for amateur sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey and novelist Harriet Vane! They depart on a quiet, country honeymoon with Bunter in tow, to learn how to live together and love one another without losing the individual pursuits that define them. But a murder in their very own cottage makes it clear that their love will have to be strong enough to persevere through the most sordid and bloody of what life has to offer. Peter Greenberg and Jenifer Tyler return as the lovers in this sequel to the blockbuster hit “Gaudy Night.”

KidSeries Productions

“Duck for President,” a world premiere musical based on the popular bestseller by Doreen Cronin, illustrated
by Betsy Lewin
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member James E. Grote
Music and lyrics by George Howe
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Shole Milos
October 11 – November 30, 2008
All tickets $12
Previews: October 11, 2008 at 1 p.m.; and October 12, 2008 at 11 a.m.
Opening: October 12, 2008 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: Saturdays at 1 p.m..; Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Just who put Farmer Brown in charge, anyway? Isn’t it time an intelligent and handsome young duck ran for office? And once he’s running the farm, it’s just a few short steps until he’s running the country! A new musical showing both the heady and headachey sides of politics just in time for the election! By the same team that brought you “Click, Clack, Moo.”

“Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure,” the original Lifeline holiday hit returns to the stage!
Written by Lifeline ensemble member Christina Calvit
Directed by Lifeline Artistic Director Dorothy Milne
December 13, 2008 – January 4, 2009
All tickets $12
Preview: December 13, 2008 at 11 a.m.
Opening: December 14, 2008 at 11 a.m.
Runs December 13, 14, 20, 27, January 3 at 11 a.m.
December 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, January 2, 4 at 2 p.m.

Taking care of your baby sister is a drag, especially at holiday time. That’s why Tim Snow (“Snowflake” to the bullies in the schoolyard) is in a bad mood. But when his sister gets lost in a confusing not-world where ninjas are ninnies and princesses are powerhouses, Tim’s only holiday wish is to have her back, fast, before Mom gets home. “Snowflake Tim’s Big Holiday Adventure” was first produced by Lifeline in December 2004, then again in December 2005, and now has become a Lifeline perennial favorite.

“Flight of the Dodo,” a world premiere musical based on the hilarious new story by Peter Brown
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Robert Kauzlaric
Music by Lifeline ensemble member Victoria DeIorio
Directed by Lifeline ensemble member Paul S. Holmquist
December 20, 2008 – February 22, 2009
All tickets $12
Previews: December 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. and December 21, 2008 at 11 a.m.
Opening: December 27, 2008 at 2 p.m.
Holiday Schedule: December 20 at 2 p.m., December 21 at 11 a.m., December 27 at 2 p.m., December 28 at 11 a.m., January 3 at 2 p.m., January 4 at 11 a.m.
Regular run: January 10-February 22, 2009: Saturdays at 1 p.m.; Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tired of getting pooped on? So is Penguin, when one too many geeses (or is it gooses?) uses his new tux coat as a target. Together with his flightless friends Ostrich, Kiwi and Cassowary, he takes to the skies to teach those geese a lesson! Take flight with this misfit crew in their hot air balloon named Dodo on this scatological journey, as they learn that to realize our dreams we have to look beyond our differences and work together.

“Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle,” the hit musical based on the best-selling book by Betty MacDonald, illustrated by Hilary Knight
Adapted by Lifeline ensemble member Christina Calvit
Music by Paul Gilvary
March 14 – May 3, 2009
All tickets $12
Previews: March 14, 2009 at 1 p.m.; and March 15, 2009 at 11 a.m.
Opening: March 15, 2009 at 1 p.m.
Regular Run: Saturdays at 1 p.m., Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Who’s that crazy lady who wears the funny hats and lives in the upside-down house? Why, it’s Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle! Kids love her because she always has time to play and her house smells like cookies. Parents love her, too—because she’s got hilarious cures for Answer-Backers, Selfish-Selfers and mean-spirited Whisperers. And when she’s around, magic things seem to happen. “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle” was a sold-out hit in 2000 (extending for months past its original run) and features the rock n’ roll musical numbers “Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle,” “Answer-Backer,” and “Pete Thompson Blues.”