Let me just give a shout out right now to the Lifeline house and box office team because ALL the bosses were out of town this past weekend and we did not get a single text. As per usual, Susan, Tonia and Deirdre had it all under control. I even got Deirdre roped into the starching and ironing of the gazillion wimples, veils and other items/words I don’t know that comprise nun habits. LOTS of starching and ironing for this show. Brani says they must look “crisp.” No such thing as a rumpled nun.
Mariette in Ecstasy opened last week to rave reviews and we are all doing happy dances over here. Chris Jones called Christina one of America’s best adapters of novels into drama. Does that rock? I am repeating that tidbit here because it embarrassed Christina so much the first time. Everyone’s talking about Elise‘s brilliant staging and the stunning technical elements (go Alan, Brani, Sarah, Tim and R&D!). And seriously, let’s face it, the acting is sublime. Hedy says Brenda is “transfixing” and “charismatic” and that everyone else is played with “exquisite individuality.” So totally true.
We are super-excited because author Ron Hansen will be coming to Lifeline March 14th and doing a book-signing between the 4pm and 8pm shows and a talkback after the latter. The evening show is already sold out because his fans are banging down the door. If you want to meet Ron, the 4pm still has tickets left and you’ll still get to intersect with him.
Speaking of meeting Ron: Elise, Christina and the cast got to meet him much earlier. Ron was in Chicago for a conference during our first preview weekend and he terrified the Lifeline team by turning up here with friends to see the show. As non-theater-folk, I don’t know that they understood the wide eyed horror that met their arrival at the box office, nor why the audience was being asked to fill out comment cards. But happily the show was already in great shape, he and his friends seemed to totally enjoy it and he’ll get to see the final product soon!
In other Lifeline news, Rob and Elise are in Charlotte, NC this weekend seeing The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! at the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Rob’s adaptation of the book by Jon Scieszka was a mongo hit at Lifeline and is now being produced all around the country. We’re very excited for him!
Dorothy Milne
Artistic Director