ChiIL Mama’s Chi, IL Picks List
Lifeline Theatre KidSeries Presents
World Premiere of The Time Warp Trio,
Based on the book series by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith
Now playing through Sunday, April 20
**ages 5+**
(L to R) Brian Tochterman Jr. as Sam, Delvin James as Joe, Darian Tene as Freddie, Jennifer Betancourt as Queen Guinevere, and Drew Johnson as Merlin
Photo by Suzanne Plunkett.
by kimberly robb baker
This is my second time attending a KidSeries show at Lifeline, and so far they really can’t be beat in terms of creating enriching entertainment that is relevant for my three kids, from toddler to tween.
It was a pleasure to experience the company’s take on The Time Warp Trio, a series of books by Jon Scieszka, artfully adapted for Lifeline by ensemble member heather Currie.
The story begins when Joe gets a book for his birthday from his namesake uncle, a mysterious magician. The book is just as mysterious as the giver, for Joe and his two friends Sam and Freddie (yay for adding some gender diversity where the original story had three boys) find that the book transports them to three very different eras in time.
As if birthday parties weren’t enchanting enough for the young audience, they get to spend some time in King Arthur’s court, with pre-historic humans and woolly mammoths, and a hundred years into the future where the very intimidating robots have a surprising purpose.
My 10-year-old’s favorite part was the prehistoric era—perhaps because the plot centered around a very lax hygiene routine?
(L to R) Darian Tene as Freddie, Delvin James as Joe,
Brian Tochterman Jr. as Sam, and Drew Johnson as Duh
Photo by Suzanne Plunkett.
We all loved the puppets and costumes throughout—especially a very convincing giant (the farting sound effects were a big plus here), an absolutely gorgeous dragon puppet, and some smaller puppets in the future scene that gave us the “pulled back” view we could otherwise only have in a movie theatre.
The trio, played with full enthusiasm by Delvin James, Brian Tochterman Jr., and Darian Tene, were smart and proactive. There were fun riddles, audience interactions, and plenty of learning opportunities (Did dinosaurs and humans exist at the same time? What is a fulcrum? How can you convince Merlin you’re a great magician?)
My 8-year-old daughter loved the ending best of all. Let’s just say there’s more to mom than meets the eye.
Oh, and the book was available for sale in the lobby. The kids were already reading aloud to each other in the car, so score one for the book lovers’ team.
(L to R) Brian Tochterman Jr. as Sam, Delvin James as Joe, Darian Tene as Freddie,
and Jennifer Betancourt as Mom
Photo by Suzanne Plunkett.
Kimberly Robb Baker is a Chicago based writer, blogger, consultant, story teller, and mother. You can find her worky stuff here: ThisLittleBrand.com and her artsy fartsy stuff here: DisruptiveMama.com.
Plus Performances with
Touch Tour and Audio Description on March 24,
Open Captioning on March 23, Autism/Sensory-Friendly Performance on April 14, and Stories Come Alive! Hour Workshops Every Saturday and Sunday During the Run
Enter Below for your chance to
WIN 4 Tickets ($60 Value) to Lifeline Theatre KidSeries Presents The World Premiere of
The Time Warp Trio
(*Winner's choice of the following dates ONLY: March 30 - April 7. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m or 1 p.m.)
Lifeline Theatre’s KidSeries presents the world premiere of The Time Warp Trio, based on the children’s series by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith, with adaptation by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Frances Limoncelli, and directed by Lifeline Theatre ensemble member Heather Currie. (*Winner's choice of the following dates ONLY: March 30 - April 7. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m or 1 p.m.)
When Joe receives a magical book for his birthday, he and his pals are unexpectedly hurled across time and space. They first arrive in Camelot, a land menaced by an evil knight, a terrible giant, and a fire-breathing dragon. With quick thinking and a dash of courage the newly formed “Time Warp Trio” manages to survive, but the mysterious Book soon thrusts them into further adventures – each more challenging than the last! Save the day with wit and bravery in this adaptation of stories from Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith’s Time Warp Trio series. This production is recommended for children ages five and up and runs approximately one hour with no intermission.
The Time Warp Trio runs Saturday, March 16 – Sunday, April 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Press opening is Sunday, Mar. 17 at 1 p.m. Regular performance times are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an added autism/sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, Apr. 14 at 3 p.m. (Previews are Saturday, Mar. 16 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Mar. 17 at 11 a.m.) Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.
Accessible Performances: The Sunday, Mar. 24, 11 a.m. performance will feature a pre-show touch tour of the set at 10 a.m. and live audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision. The Saturday, March 23,
11 a.m. and 1 p.m. performances will feature open captioning for patrons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. And there will be an added autism/sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, April 14 at 3 p.m. for patrons with social and/or cognitive disabilities. For more information about Lifeline’s accessibility services, please contact Accessibility Coordinator Erica Foster at 773.761.4477 x703 or at access@lifelinetheatre.com.
PLUS: Join Lifeline Theatre every Saturday and Sunday at 12 p.m. during the run of The Time Warp Trio (following the 11 a.m. show, or before the 1 p.m. show) for our Stories Come Alive! Hour. Children will enjoy an interactive storytelling session and on-your-feet theatre games. The cost is only $5 per child. Reservations are recommended, though not required. Contact Lifeline Theatre at 773-761-4477 for more information.
The complete cast and production team for The Time Warp Trio includes:
CAST:
Guest artists: Jennifer Betancourt (Ensemble), Delvin James (Joe), Drew Johnson (Ensemble), Darian Tene (Freddie), Brian Tochterman (Sam); Understudies: Anthony Kayer, Amanda Roeder, and RJ Cecott.
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Lifeline Theatre ensemble members Heather Currie (Director), Frances Limoncelli (Adaptor), and Diane Fairchild (Lighting Designer); with guest artists Mark Blashford (Puppet Designer), Tristan Chiruvolu (Stage Manager), Joe Griffin (Sound Designer), Jennifer McClendon (Production Manager), Angela McIlvain (Scenic Designer), Jenny Pinson (Properties Designer), Joe Schermoly (Technical Director), Jonah White (Master Electrician), and Brenda Winstead (Costume Designer).
The Time Warp Trio runs Saturday, March 16 – Sunday, April 20 at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Press opening is Sunday, March 17 at 1 p.m. Regular performance times are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., with an added autism/sensory-friendly performance on Sunday, Apr. 14 at 3 p.m. (Previews are Saturday, Mar. 16 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Sunday, Mar. 17 at 11 a.m.) Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com.
Lifeline Theatre also offers “Name Your Price” tickets one half-hour before the show (subject to availability), group rates and other discounts available upon request. A party room is available for full-service birthday and special event parties. Lifeline Theatre is accessible by CTA (Red Line Morse stop/busses) and free parking is available at Sullivan High School (6631 N Bosworth Ave., lot located on the corner of Bosworth Ave. and Albion Ave., with the entrance on Albion) with free shuttle service before and after the show. Street parking is also available. Lifeline is accessible to wheelchair users and visitors who need to avoid stairs.
Now in its 36th season, Lifeline Theatre is driven by a passion for story. Our ensemble process supports writers in the development of literary adaptations and new work, and our theatrical and educational programs foster a lifelong engagement with literature and the arts. A cultural anchor of Rogers Park, we are committed to deepening our connection to an ever-growing family of artists and audiences, both near and far. Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close.
Lifeline Theatre’s programs are partially supported by Alphawood Foundation; A.R.T. League Inc.; Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; Chicago CityArts, a grant from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; CIG Management; CNA Foundation; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; FGMK LLC; FlexPrint Inc.; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; The Michael and Mona Heath Fund at The Chicago Community Trust Foundation; Illinois Arts Council Agency; Illinois Humanities Council; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; The National Endowment for the Arts; The PAV Grant Fund; The Polk Bros. Foundation; Rogers Park Social; The Saints; S&C Electric Company Fund; The Shubert Foundation; The Steele Foundation; Th Manufacturing; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.
(L to R) Drew Johnson as Sellbot, Darian Tene as Freddie, Delvin James as Joe, and Brian Tochterman Jr. as Sam; in Lifeline Theatre’s “The Time Warp Trio,” adapted by Frances Limoncelli, directed by Heather Currie, based on the book series by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith; previews begin Saturday, March 16, 2019, Opening Sunday, March 17 and running through Sunday, April 20. Lifeline Theatre is located at 6912 N. Glenwood Ave. Chicago, IL 60626. For tickets call the box office at 773-761-4477 or visit www.lifelinetheatre.com. Photo by Suzanne Plunkett.
WIN 4 Tickets ($60 Value) to Lifeline Theatre KidSeries Presents The World Premiere of
The Time Warp Trio
(*Winner's choice of the following dates ONLY: March 30 - April 7. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m or 1 p.m.)
Enter through midnight 3/25/19. Winner will be e-mailed and announced here and on our social media outlets.
(*Winner's choice of the following dates ONLY: March 30 - April 7. Performances are Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m or 1 p.m.)
Enter through midnight 3/25/19. Winner will be e-mailed and announced here and on our social media outlets.
Disclosure: It's our pleasure to partner up with Lifeline Theatre once again on a ticket giveaway for our readers. They have provided complimentary tickets for our giveaway. As always, all opinions are our own.
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